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4.01 AVERAGE
4.01 AVERAGE
I liked a couple of the stories a lot (the title story At the Mouth of the River of Bees, and 26 Monkeys), but mostly this collection wasn't really for me. I can see why there is so much praise for it, but for me these stories didn't really mean anything true, intellectually or emotionally. I skimmed a lot. Also I wasn't a fan of the seeming fetishy obsession with East Asian stories/myths/legends, co-opted into lackluster, shallow short stories.
As another reviewer said, there's just a disconnect between this collection and my tastes.
As another reviewer said, there's just a disconnect between this collection and my tastes.
Some stories just weren’t for me at all. some will leave you smiling like “wow that was sweet”. and some are disturbing and creepy as well as beautifully written.
The stories in this collection are mainly to do with animals. From dogs that can talk and foxes that can cast intricate magic spells, to biting cats and sickening horses, many different animals put in an appearance here, and with varying degrees of realism and magic. There are also myriad settings for these stories; Johnson isn’t afraid to set one story in the starkly real modern day or an imagined historical nomadic society, or even to branch out into sci-fi and explore other planets and worlds. Some of the stories – ‘Story Kit’, in particular – are quite experimental in their style.
Read the rest of my review on my blog:
http://www.50ayear.com/2016/03/11/9-mouth-river-bees-kij-johnson/
Read the rest of my review on my blog:
http://www.50ayear.com/2016/03/11/9-mouth-river-bees-kij-johnson/
Interesting and eerie. Good sci-fi short story fix.
This was a wonderful, wonderful collection of stories. Each was filled with wonder and a sprinkle of weird. I loved the focus on animals. I think my favourite story was Fox Magic or Wolf Trapping or At the Mouth of the River of Bees. They were just so magical and fun! There were only a few I didn't like, but even those ones still had the spark of wonder that made the collection as a whole feel fantastic. I've wanted to read this one for awhile and I'm so glad I finally got the chance.
"At the Mouth of the River of Bees", "26 Monkeys, Also the Abyss", "Ponies", "The Bitey Cat", "Story Kit", and "The Evolution of Trickster Stories" made this collection more than worth of price of admission. Some of the best short fiction I've read in awhile. I've already re-read each of the following short stories because I loved them so much, but, unlike other short story collection, all the other tales in this one are also good, not just meh, like is so often the case. Highly, highly recommended.
I only skipped one story in here. I think ya'll know which one I skipped, huh?
For the most part I enjoyed the stories in this book. There were a few I skimmed but overall I thought this was a successful story collection. I LOVED the Cat who Walked a Thousand Miles. also Ponies was short but powerful. Kij Johnson does little girl POV well.
For the most part I enjoyed the stories in this book. There were a few I skimmed but overall I thought this was a successful story collection. I LOVED the Cat who Walked a Thousand Miles. also Ponies was short but powerful. Kij Johnson does little girl POV well.
I don't often read short story collections, but when I do I am delighted when they have as many gems as this one.
Some of my favourites were the odd "26 Monkeys, Also the Abyss", the cute "The Cat Who Walked a Thousand Miles", the downright funny "My Wife Reincarnated as a Solitaire", the WTF-y"At the Mouth of the River of Bees" and the marvelous and contemplative "The Man Who Bridged the Mist"
Some of my favourites were the odd "26 Monkeys, Also the Abyss", the cute "The Cat Who Walked a Thousand Miles", the downright funny "My Wife Reincarnated as a Solitaire", the WTF-y"At the Mouth of the River of Bees" and the marvelous and contemplative "The Man Who Bridged the Mist"
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Interesting collection of short stories, each drawing from a unique source, set in various times and places. Some are haunting, others grotesque, some provide very pointed lessons, others deem to require more digging for meaning.