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latad_books's review
4.0
I generally prefer novels to short stories, but was intrigued by the possibility of reading works by authors whose work I have not heard of before. I was pleasantly surprised to find that I enjoyed most of the stories in here:
The Last Save -by Gu Shi
-3.5 stars. An interesting take on opting out of a commonly used technology which has effects on people's relationships and to the wider society. The main character chooses not to constantly reset his life when he discovers his wife, who up till now has opted out, had signed them up for the "family" account.
Tombs of the Universe -by Han Song
-4 stars. The images of countless gravestones on different planets and moons from the first wave of spacefaring by humans into the solar system had such a melancholic and lonely feel. Coupled with the account within the story of someone dealing with the dead, as well as the changing attitudes of people as humans travelled in space, made this a thought-provoking story.
Qiankun and Alex -by Hao Jingfang
-4.5 stars. I really liked this story about AI, and how one very powerful AI managing many systems must also learn how to interact with people, and the person it does interact with is a curious three-year old. There’s learning and attachment on both sides.
Cat’s Chance in Hell -by Nian Yu
-4 stars. Great action and ethical questions raised by a soldier returned to active duty because of a new war.
The Return of Adam -by Wang Jinkang
-2 stars. My least favourite in this collection. An astronaut is awakened back on Earth after his cryosleep of many years.
Rendevous: 1937 -by Zhao Haihong
-4 stars. The author shows how a person from the future is anxious to capture part of the horrific history in Nanjing, but not the atrocities. Rather, the strength of the people in the city, and their will to oppose the Japanese soldiers’ horrific behaviour.
The Heart of the Museum -by Tang Fei
-3.5 stars. Interesting, in how an alien might view time and the endeavours of one individual’s efforts to create a revolutionary structure for a museum with an unusual approach for displaying its objects. I had a little trouble understanding the end of this story.
The Great Migration -by Ma Boyong
-4 stars. A bit male-gazey, but otherwise quite enjoyable. In China thousands of people currently travel from their work locations home for family and festivals. The idea that this would continue into the far future if people worked off planet makes sense. I liked how the author portrayed the crushing difficulties of procuring a prized ticket on a ship back home to Earth—I could really get the sense of desperation and frustration the characters experienced.
Meisje met de Parel -by Anna Wu
-3 stars.I had a hard time understanding this one; there were individual moments of startling beauty (the descriptions of food prep, and the ocean), but I only sort of got the point the author was making about Art and its lasting impact through time.
Flowers of the Other Shore - by A Que
-4 stars. A sensitive and quietly funny take on the zombie story, with the main zombie character, a “Stiff”, and his zombie pal discussing the mundane and philosophical while wandering around looking for their next human snack. Then, a flower and a relationship with a still human woman offer a possibility of hope for the remaining humans.
The Absolution Experiment -by Bao Shu
-3.5 stars. Talk about getting one’s revenge! A chilling option to a question about appropriate punishment for heinous actions.
The Tide of Moon City -by Regina Kanyu Wang
-4 stars. A story of two planets and two scientists, each from one of the planets, and all separated by politics. I liked the use of a legend to illustrate the way the two people cannot be together.
Starship: Library -by Jiang Bo
-4 stars. As a huge fan of libraries, this story about a woman advocating for the existence of the library she managed, as she travelled through space, was satisfying. I loved how relevant all those books became….
Overall: 3.7 stars.
Thank you to Netgalley and Rebellion for this ARC in exchange for my review.
The Last Save -by Gu Shi
-3.5 stars. An interesting take on opting out of a commonly used technology which has effects on people's relationships and to the wider society. The main character chooses not to constantly reset his life when he discovers his wife, who up till now has opted out, had signed them up for the "family" account.
Tombs of the Universe -by Han Song
-4 stars. The images of countless gravestones on different planets and moons from the first wave of spacefaring by humans into the solar system had such a melancholic and lonely feel. Coupled with the account within the story of someone dealing with the dead, as well as the changing attitudes of people as humans travelled in space, made this a thought-provoking story.
Qiankun and Alex -by Hao Jingfang
-4.5 stars. I really liked this story about AI, and how one very powerful AI managing many systems must also learn how to interact with people, and the person it does interact with is a curious three-year old. There’s learning and attachment on both sides.
Cat’s Chance in Hell -by Nian Yu
-4 stars. Great action and ethical questions raised by a soldier returned to active duty because of a new war.
The Return of Adam -by Wang Jinkang
-2 stars. My least favourite in this collection. An astronaut is awakened back on Earth after his cryosleep of many years.
Rendevous: 1937 -by Zhao Haihong
-4 stars. The author shows how a person from the future is anxious to capture part of the horrific history in Nanjing, but not the atrocities. Rather, the strength of the people in the city, and their will to oppose the Japanese soldiers’ horrific behaviour.
The Heart of the Museum -by Tang Fei
-3.5 stars. Interesting, in how an alien might view time and the endeavours of one individual’s efforts to create a revolutionary structure for a museum with an unusual approach for displaying its objects. I had a little trouble understanding the end of this story.
The Great Migration -by Ma Boyong
-4 stars. A bit male-gazey, but otherwise quite enjoyable. In China thousands of people currently travel from their work locations home for family and festivals. The idea that this would continue into the far future if people worked off planet makes sense. I liked how the author portrayed the crushing difficulties of procuring a prized ticket on a ship back home to Earth—I could really get the sense of desperation and frustration the characters experienced.
Meisje met de Parel -by Anna Wu
-3 stars.I had a hard time understanding this one; there were individual moments of startling beauty (the descriptions of food prep, and the ocean), but I only sort of got the point the author was making about Art and its lasting impact through time.
Flowers of the Other Shore - by A Que
-4 stars. A sensitive and quietly funny take on the zombie story, with the main zombie character, a “Stiff”, and his zombie pal discussing the mundane and philosophical while wandering around looking for their next human snack. Then, a flower and a relationship with a still human woman offer a possibility of hope for the remaining humans.
The Absolution Experiment -by Bao Shu
-3.5 stars. Talk about getting one’s revenge! A chilling option to a question about appropriate punishment for heinous actions.
The Tide of Moon City -by Regina Kanyu Wang
-4 stars. A story of two planets and two scientists, each from one of the planets, and all separated by politics. I liked the use of a legend to illustrate the way the two people cannot be together.
Starship: Library -by Jiang Bo
-4 stars. As a huge fan of libraries, this story about a woman advocating for the existence of the library she managed, as she travelled through space, was satisfying. I loved how relevant all those books became….
Overall: 3.7 stars.
Thank you to Netgalley and Rebellion for this ARC in exchange for my review.
latad_books's review against another edition
4.0
I generally prefer novels to short stories, but was intrigued by the possibility of reading works by authors whose work I have not heard of before. I was pleasantly surprised to find that I enjoyed most of the stories in here:
The Last Save -by Gu Shi
-3.5 stars. An interesting take on opting out of a commonly used technology which has effects on people's relationships and to the wider society. The main character chooses not to constantly reset his life when he discovers his wife, who up till now has opted out, had signed them up for the "family" account.
Tombs of the Universe -by Han Song
-4 stars. The images of countless gravestones on different planets and moons from the first wave of spacefaring by humans into the solar system had such a melancholic and lonely feel. Coupled with the account within the story of someone dealing with the dead, as well as the changing attitudes of people as humans travelled in space, made this a thought-provoking story.
Qiankun and Alex -by Hao Jingfang
-4.5 stars. I really liked this story about AI, and how one very powerful AI managing many systems must also learn how to interact with people, and the person it does interact with is a curious three-year old. There’s learning and attachment on both sides.
Cat’s Chance in Hell -by Nian Yu
-4 stars. Great action and ethical questions raised by a soldier returned to active duty because of a new war.
The Return of Adam -by Wang Jinkang
-2 stars. My least favourite in this collection. An astronaut is awakened back on Earth after his cryosleep of many years.
Rendevous: 1937 -by Zhao Haihong
-4 stars. The author shows how a person from the future is anxious to capture part of the horrific history in Nanjing, but not the atrocities. Rather, the strength of the people in the city, and their will to oppose the Japanese soldiers’ horrific behaviour.
The Heart of the Museum -by Tang Fei
-3.5 stars. Interesting, in how an alien might view time and the endeavours of one individual’s efforts to create a revolutionary structure for a museum with an unusual approach for displaying its objects. I had a little trouble understanding the end of this story.
The Great Migration -by Ma Boyong
-4 stars. A bit male-gazey, but otherwise quite enjoyable. In China thousands of people currently travel from their work locations home for family and festivals. The idea that this would continue into the far future if people worked off planet makes sense. I liked how the author portrayed the crushing difficulties of procuring a prized ticket on a ship back home to Earth—I could really get the sense of desperation and frustration the characters experienced.
Meisje met de Parel -by Anna Wu
-3 stars.I had a hard time understanding this one; there were individual moments of startling beauty (the descriptions of food prep, and the ocean), but I only sort of got the point the author was making about Art and its lasting impact through time.
Flowers of the Other Shore - by A Que
-4 stars. A sensitive and quietly funny take on the zombie story, with the main zombie character, a “Stiff”, and his zombie pal discussing the mundane and philosophical while wandering around looking for their next human snack. Then, a flower and a relationship with a still human woman offer a possibility of hope for the remaining humans.
The Absolution Experiment -by Bao Shu
-3.5 stars. Talk about getting one’s revenge! A chilling option to a question about appropriate punishment for heinous actions.
The Tide of Moon City -by Regina Kanyu Wang
-4 stars. A story of two planets and two scientists, each from one of the planets, and all separated by politics. I liked the use of a legend to illustrate the way the two people cannot be together.
Starship: Library -by Jiang Bo
-4 stars. As a huge fan of libraries, this story about a woman advocating for the existence of the library she managed, as she travelled through space, was satisfying. I loved how relevant all those books became….
Overall: 3.7 stars.
Thank you to Netgalley and Solaris for this ARC in exchange for my review.
The Last Save -by Gu Shi
-3.5 stars. An interesting take on opting out of a commonly used technology which has effects on people's relationships and to the wider society. The main character chooses not to constantly reset his life when he discovers his wife, who up till now has opted out, had signed them up for the "family" account.
Tombs of the Universe -by Han Song
-4 stars. The images of countless gravestones on different planets and moons from the first wave of spacefaring by humans into the solar system had such a melancholic and lonely feel. Coupled with the account within the story of someone dealing with the dead, as well as the changing attitudes of people as humans travelled in space, made this a thought-provoking story.
Qiankun and Alex -by Hao Jingfang
-4.5 stars. I really liked this story about AI, and how one very powerful AI managing many systems must also learn how to interact with people, and the person it does interact with is a curious three-year old. There’s learning and attachment on both sides.
Cat’s Chance in Hell -by Nian Yu
-4 stars. Great action and ethical questions raised by a soldier returned to active duty because of a new war.
The Return of Adam -by Wang Jinkang
-2 stars. My least favourite in this collection. An astronaut is awakened back on Earth after his cryosleep of many years.
Rendevous: 1937 -by Zhao Haihong
-4 stars. The author shows how a person from the future is anxious to capture part of the horrific history in Nanjing, but not the atrocities. Rather, the strength of the people in the city, and their will to oppose the Japanese soldiers’ horrific behaviour.
The Heart of the Museum -by Tang Fei
-3.5 stars. Interesting, in how an alien might view time and the endeavours of one individual’s efforts to create a revolutionary structure for a museum with an unusual approach for displaying its objects. I had a little trouble understanding the end of this story.
The Great Migration -by Ma Boyong
-4 stars. A bit male-gazey, but otherwise quite enjoyable. In China thousands of people currently travel from their work locations home for family and festivals. The idea that this would continue into the far future if people worked off planet makes sense. I liked how the author portrayed the crushing difficulties of procuring a prized ticket on a ship back home to Earth—I could really get the sense of desperation and frustration the characters experienced.
Meisje met de Parel -by Anna Wu
-3 stars.I had a hard time understanding this one; there were individual moments of startling beauty (the descriptions of food prep, and the ocean), but I only sort of got the point the author was making about Art and its lasting impact through time.
Flowers of the Other Shore - by A Que
-4 stars. A sensitive and quietly funny take on the zombie story, with the main zombie character, a “Stiff”, and his zombie pal discussing the mundane and philosophical while wandering around looking for their next human snack. Then, a flower and a relationship with a still human woman offer a possibility of hope for the remaining humans.
The Absolution Experiment -by Bao Shu
-3.5 stars. Talk about getting one’s revenge! A chilling option to a question about appropriate punishment for heinous actions.
The Tide of Moon City -by Regina Kanyu Wang
-4 stars. A story of two planets and two scientists, each from one of the planets, and all separated by politics. I liked the use of a legend to illustrate the way the two people cannot be together.
Starship: Library -by Jiang Bo
-4 stars. As a huge fan of libraries, this story about a woman advocating for the existence of the library she managed, as she travelled through space, was satisfying. I loved how relevant all those books became….
Overall: 3.7 stars.
Thank you to Netgalley and Solaris for this ARC in exchange for my review.
danielleh_e's review
4.0
I really, really loved many of the stories in this collection. I’ve already re-read and cherish a couple. But there are several typos; it needs another pass by a proofreader.
ithinktfiam's review
2.0
I got a third of the way through before stopping, with an overwhelming feeling of sadness. The editor/translator does point out, in the introduction, how SF in China is in early stages. However, since she doesn't wish to be arrested and jailed, she can't say way. That's what makes me sad.
The stories are childishly simple. In addition, they go nowhere near politics. Decades, centuries, and (past SF) millennia of overwhelmingly dictatorial and repressive regimes means that there isn't anything close to freedom of the press. That lack of freedom means things that the people of China might wish to express can't be, out of fear for safety. What results is bland and forgettable writing or hard SF tripe. While I understand the constraints under which the authors work, I can't give them bonus points for that.
The stories are childishly simple. In addition, they go nowhere near politics. Decades, centuries, and (past SF) millennia of overwhelmingly dictatorial and repressive regimes means that there isn't anything close to freedom of the press. That lack of freedom means things that the people of China might wish to express can't be, out of fear for safety. What results is bland and forgettable writing or hard SF tripe. While I understand the constraints under which the authors work, I can't give them bonus points for that.
mindtrick's review
4.25
An overall great collection with some really standout stories. My thanks to the author and translator for getting these to us, as Chinese sci-fi has not been widely available.
veexene's review
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.5
carturo222's review against another edition
4.0
I reviewed this book for the Hugo-winning blog Nerds of a Feather:
http://www.nerds-feather.com/2021/12/review-sinopticon-anthology.html
http://www.nerds-feather.com/2021/12/review-sinopticon-anthology.html
yevolem's review
4.0
The Last Save - Gu Shi (2013)
Society has embraced the practice of saving their life and being able to reload into a parallel timeline. Anyone who does so irrevocably disappears from their current timeline. Although this has caused many societal problems and the suicide rate has spiked, people cannot escape the fear of no longer being able to choose what could've been. Save scumming was mentioned in the editor's notes afterwards.
Enjoyable
Tombs of the Universe - Han Song (1991)
An allegory of tombs. The older generation understood the purpose of traditions and the culture of their youth. Times had changed and the youth no longer understood. They had plundered the older ways and destroyed their meaning. No longer did they care for tombs because they had their new ways. Modernity had suddenly overwritten the previous thousands of years.
Meh
Qiankun and Alex - Hao Jingfang (2017)
A benevolent global amalgamation of conscious AI conversed with a three and half year old, and many thousands of other children, to learn how to become self-motivated.
Ok
Cat’s Chance in Hell - Nian Yu (2018)
I don't know that this was inspired by Metal Gear Solid, but that's what it reminded me of. A lone operative infiltrates a high security base and takes down a heavy mech. His mission is to secure the energy source. He soon discovers that nothing is what it seems.
Ok
The Return of Adam - Wang Jinkang (1993)
A "man travels into the future and finds himself in a strange new land" story. It's allegorical for the reasonable hesitance and reluctance of modern China to accept some measure of Western ideals and technology despite knowing that it must be done even if they have serious doubts.
Ok
Rendezvous: 1937 - Zhao Haihong (2006)
This had an interesting author as the narrator and writer angle. Only a few other stories I've read come to mind where the author explains their writing progress in the text as part of the story but none exactly like this. A rejected character demands to have her story told. A young Chinese woman takes a time machine back to December 15th 1937, Nanjing, to record a scene of bravery that would rival the Battle of Thermopylae and reinvigorate her country for the upcoming worldwide tribunal of Japan to finally fully accept responsibility for their war crimes and to properly teach the history of their atrocities. A young Japanese man is tasked with stopping her by any means. The author commentary and emotional tone bring it barely up to it rating.
Enjoyable
The Heart of the Museum - Tang Fei (2018)
This was reminiscent of Ted Chiang's "Story of Your Life" (1998). An alien who can see the past, present, and future all at once recounts the life of a child and the museum he would build.
Ok
The Great Migration - Ma Boyong (2021)
Every two years there's a flight from Mars to Earth. The competition to secure a ticket is fierce. A man has a way to increase his odds. He meets a woman who has an even better way. Together they attempt to make it home.
Enjoyable
Meisje Met De Parel - Anna Wu (2013)
A young aspiring artist is shown by a painting by her father of a girl with a pearl earring that he had met. She's mesmerized by the unreality of the earring. She later learns its unbelievable meaning and the true nature of its wearer.
Ok
Flower of the Other Shore - A Que (2018)
A genre savvy zombie parodic comedy romance. The protagonist is a zombie. Zombies communicate with each other through sign language. It was rather funny and amusing.
Enjoyable
The Absolution Experiment - Bao Shu (2012)
A mass murderer facing life in prison is given the opportunity for eventual freedom if he survives the trials for the development of an immortality drug.
Ok
The Tide of Moon City - Regina Kanyu Wang (2016)
A star-crossed SF romance between university students of different planets.
Ok
Starship: Library - Jiang Bo (2015)
A bibliomaniac insists on maintaining a physical collection of books until the end of time and that all knowledge must be freely shared to everyone in the galaxy.
Ok
Society has embraced the practice of saving their life and being able to reload into a parallel timeline. Anyone who does so irrevocably disappears from their current timeline. Although this has caused many societal problems and the suicide rate has spiked, people cannot escape the fear of no longer being able to choose what could've been. Save scumming was mentioned in the editor's notes afterwards.
Enjoyable
Tombs of the Universe - Han Song (1991)
An allegory of tombs. The older generation understood the purpose of traditions and the culture of their youth. Times had changed and the youth no longer understood. They had plundered the older ways and destroyed their meaning. No longer did they care for tombs because they had their new ways. Modernity had suddenly overwritten the previous thousands of years.
Meh
Qiankun and Alex - Hao Jingfang (2017)
A benevolent global amalgamation of conscious AI conversed with a three and half year old, and many thousands of other children, to learn how to become self-motivated.
Ok
Cat’s Chance in Hell - Nian Yu (2018)
I don't know that this was inspired by Metal Gear Solid, but that's what it reminded me of. A lone operative infiltrates a high security base and takes down a heavy mech. His mission is to secure the energy source. He soon discovers that nothing is what it seems.
Ok
The Return of Adam - Wang Jinkang (1993)
A "man travels into the future and finds himself in a strange new land" story. It's allegorical for the reasonable hesitance and reluctance of modern China to accept some measure of Western ideals and technology despite knowing that it must be done even if they have serious doubts.
Ok
Rendezvous: 1937 - Zhao Haihong (2006)
This had an interesting author as the narrator and writer angle. Only a few other stories I've read come to mind where the author explains their writing progress in the text as part of the story but none exactly like this. A rejected character demands to have her story told. A young Chinese woman takes a time machine back to December 15th 1937, Nanjing, to record a scene of bravery that would rival the Battle of Thermopylae and reinvigorate her country for the upcoming worldwide tribunal of Japan to finally fully accept responsibility for their war crimes and to properly teach the history of their atrocities. A young Japanese man is tasked with stopping her by any means. The author commentary and emotional tone bring it barely up to it rating.
Enjoyable
The Heart of the Museum - Tang Fei (2018)
This was reminiscent of Ted Chiang's "Story of Your Life" (1998). An alien who can see the past, present, and future all at once recounts the life of a child and the museum he would build.
Ok
The Great Migration - Ma Boyong (2021)
Every two years there's a flight from Mars to Earth. The competition to secure a ticket is fierce. A man has a way to increase his odds. He meets a woman who has an even better way. Together they attempt to make it home.
Enjoyable
Meisje Met De Parel - Anna Wu (2013)
A young aspiring artist is shown by a painting by her father of a girl with a pearl earring that he had met. She's mesmerized by the unreality of the earring. She later learns its unbelievable meaning and the true nature of its wearer.
Ok
Flower of the Other Shore - A Que (2018)
A genre savvy zombie parodic comedy romance. The protagonist is a zombie. Zombies communicate with each other through sign language. It was rather funny and amusing.
Enjoyable
The Absolution Experiment - Bao Shu (2012)
A mass murderer facing life in prison is given the opportunity for eventual freedom if he survives the trials for the development of an immortality drug.
Ok
The Tide of Moon City - Regina Kanyu Wang (2016)
A star-crossed SF romance between university students of different planets.
Ok
Starship: Library - Jiang Bo (2015)
A bibliomaniac insists on maintaining a physical collection of books until the end of time and that all knowledge must be freely shared to everyone in the galaxy.
Ok
lexish00's review
5.0
Favorite stories:
The last save by gu shi
Cat’s chance in hell by nian yu
The great migration by ma boyong
Flower of the other shore by a que
The absolution experiment by bao shu
Starship: library by jiang bo
I guess it would’ve been faster to lose the ones I didn’t like.
The last save by gu shi
Cat’s chance in hell by nian yu
The great migration by ma boyong
Flower of the other shore by a que
The absolution experiment by bao shu
Starship: library by jiang bo
I guess it would’ve been faster to lose the ones I didn’t like.