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keepingupwiththepenguins's review against another edition
3.0
My full review of Australia Day is up now on Keeping Up With The Penguins.
All of Cheng’s characters are seeking something elusive, at times ineffable, and there are few happy endings. Some of the stories – ‘Ticket Holder Number 5’ in particular – offer the clang of revelation that I look for in short stories. Others fell a bit… well, short. Still others were perhaps ahead of their time; ‘Big Problems’ struck me as a precursor to novels like Kiley Reid’s Such A Fun Age. So, as with any short story collection, I’d say that this one is hit and miss. Some are great, some are okay, and each reader will probably have their own opinion as to which is which.
All of Cheng’s characters are seeking something elusive, at times ineffable, and there are few happy endings. Some of the stories – ‘Ticket Holder Number 5’ in particular – offer the clang of revelation that I look for in short stories. Others fell a bit… well, short. Still others were perhaps ahead of their time; ‘Big Problems’ struck me as a precursor to novels like Kiley Reid’s Such A Fun Age. So, as with any short story collection, I’d say that this one is hit and miss. Some are great, some are okay, and each reader will probably have their own opinion as to which is which.
lugalante's review against another edition
2.0
Mediocre writing and some of the stories felt a little short and undeveloped. Also questionable intentions at times.
ceedy's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Blood
Moderate: Racism
Minor: Drug abuse
kaydee's review against another edition
4.0
Despite a slow start this short story collection presents a perfect microcosm of diverse, multicultural Australia. An exciting new voice.
gnomely's review
3.0
a collection of vignettes about every day australians. had an overall melancholy feel, but the stories flowed together well, and all seemed connected somehow.
personally my favourites in the collection were
ticket holder number 5
toy town ( this story was quite sweet and hopeful, especially after the distressing ending of fracture before it)
allomother
white sparrow.
but all of them were incredible and very well written. i liked the little sparks of hope in between the uncomfortably stark portrayal of real world issues like racism, loneliness and grief.
personally my favourites in the collection were
ticket holder number 5
toy town ( this story was quite sweet and hopeful, especially after the distressing ending of fracture before it)
allomother
white sparrow.
but all of them were incredible and very well written. i liked the little sparks of hope in between the uncomfortably stark portrayal of real world issues like racism, loneliness and grief.
crazybooklady_'s review against another edition
3.0
Australia Day by Melanie Cheng is a collection of short stories that focus on contemporary Australia and the ever common desire to belong somewhere. We follow a variety of characters from numerous backgrounds in a snapshot of their day to day lives.
I had rather high hopes for this one, anticipating a social commentary of present day Australia, racial tensions and conflicting cultural ideas and all. Due to these expectations I found myself a little underwhelmed when I found a more observational story as opposed to a biting social commentary. That being said I found this an incredibly easy read and finished it rather quickly. Cheng was realistic and honest with her characters and stories, although I do have to say I didn't overly connect with the stories and find myself a few weeks later struggling to remember any specific details.
This would be a great introduction into the multi-sutural facets of Australian lives in the present day, however, if you are someone who wants a little more grit in their read I would highly recommend trying Foreign Soil by Maxine Beneba Clarke instead. That being said Australia Day was an easy read and a great introduction into the underrated style of short story collections. I give Australia Day three Australian flags.
I had rather high hopes for this one, anticipating a social commentary of present day Australia, racial tensions and conflicting cultural ideas and all. Due to these expectations I found myself a little underwhelmed when I found a more observational story as opposed to a biting social commentary. That being said I found this an incredibly easy read and finished it rather quickly. Cheng was realistic and honest with her characters and stories, although I do have to say I didn't overly connect with the stories and find myself a few weeks later struggling to remember any specific details.
This would be a great introduction into the multi-sutural facets of Australian lives in the present day, however, if you are someone who wants a little more grit in their read I would highly recommend trying Foreign Soil by Maxine Beneba Clarke instead. That being said Australia Day was an easy read and a great introduction into the underrated style of short story collections. I give Australia Day three Australian flags.
mandi_m's review against another edition
4.0
This is a collection of stories that give us some wonderful characters, those who are often marginalised and not usually present in a story of Australia Day, unless it is of course to show that happy melting pot we were all supposed to blend in to! Cheng creates characters deftly and definitely has the short story writers gift for giving us time, place and character very quickly and fluently. My complaint is always the same - a good short story always makes me wish it was the centre to a novel!
michellelzh's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
A range of complex and diverse voices in Australia, exploring the experiences and identities of unique Australians from all of walks of life. Across the short stories collection, I loved the variety and the intrigue. The story A Good and Pleasant Thing poignantly resonated with me as a Chinese Australian in ways I cannot imagine. The symbolism and motifs conveys insightfully about culture, connectedness and marginalization, as well as relationships and identity. However I do believe some of the stories are stronger than others and can be trite after reading so many.
whatisshereading's review against another edition
4.0
each story was so unique i never wished for them to end! a wonderful book about the diveristy of australia and its culture.
earlgreybooks's review against another edition
4.0
I have a bit of a complicated relationships with short story collections, but I really enjoyed this one from the get go. I think there was only the one story I didn't really like, but otherwise they were all enjoyable little reads.