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wintrovia's review
4.0
Like a lot of short story collections, this one is a mixed bag. There are some excellent stories which use an science fiction idea to launch into a story about real people and how their lives are affected by this subtle change to reality. The stories I enjoyed less focused too much on the sciencey bits and less on the characters.
I'd class this book as being more thoughtful and interesting than the average sci-fi stuff and really enjoyed some of the stories. At its best it reminded me of the TV series Black Mirror, one of my favourite programs from recent years.
I'd class this book as being more thoughtful and interesting than the average sci-fi stuff and really enjoyed some of the stories. At its best it reminded me of the TV series Black Mirror, one of my favourite programs from recent years.
anndudzinski's review against another edition
challenging
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
ilewis28's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
4.0
alpal2020's review
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Really fascinating! A lot of the stories in this collection are Chiang taking a religious idea and taking it all the way to its logical conclusion, to see how it might play out. Super interesting! Not as superb as Exhalation, but what is?
diane_matcha's review against another edition
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
libellum_aphrodite's review
5.0
Such failure that I had not read anything by Ted Chiang before. The stories in this collection were published between 1990 and 2001, so I can't believe I didn't pick one up in some high school or college class along the way.
I liked some stories more than others, but all were original and creative premises and very well written. My favorites were:
* Tower of Babylon, a retelling of an Old Testament classic
* Story of Your Life (on which the movie Arrival is based), a study of how language changes thinking, free will, and fate
* Hell is the Absence of God, where angels literally walk the earth and grant miracles, with some collateral damage
I liked some stories more than others, but all were original and creative premises and very well written. My favorites were:
* Tower of Babylon, a retelling of an Old Testament classic
* Story of Your Life (on which the movie Arrival is based), a study of how language changes thinking, free will, and fate
* Hell is the Absence of God, where angels literally walk the earth and grant miracles, with some collateral damage
rrstarrs's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0