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3.69 AVERAGE
3.69 AVERAGE
adventurous
medium-paced
This imaginative collection of short stories from Chinese author Cixin Liu again demonstrates his ability to think outside the box, which he vividly demonstrated in his trilogy of books that began with The Three Body Problem. While this collection isn't as impressive it is a good collection of science fiction stories.
challenging
dark
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Loved this a lot.
Some better than others. But the collection works well together.
I really loved the idea and theme of "alien art" - there are separate stories featuring alien music, sculpture and poetry. Each approach the idea from a different perspective and I really enjoyed each one.
Some better than others. But the collection works well together.
I really loved the idea and theme of "alien art" - there are separate stories featuring alien music, sculpture and poetry. Each approach the idea from a different perspective and I really enjoyed each one.
adventurous
challenging
dark
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I was excited to read this collection of short stories by Cixin Liu, because i was hoping that since he won't need to worry about connecting all of the scientific or philosophical ideas across he'll spend more time creating complex or interesting characters. I was let down. Again Cixin Liu presents a multitude of interesting sci-fi and philosophical ideas but falls flat when it comes to his characters.
challenging
informative
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Here are my ratings for the different stories:
- The village teacher: 1
- The time migration: 4
- 2018-04-01: 2
- Fire in the earth: 1
- Contraction: 4
- Mirror: 2
- Ode to Joy: 3
- Full Spectrum Barrage: 1
- Sea of Dreams: 3
- Cloud of Poems: 4
- The Thinker: 2
funny
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
After reading Death’s End I was a little concerned by Cixin Liu’s ability to end a story; having read these short stories those worries have only grown deeper. His general message seems to be that despite its flaws, humanity is worth saving. Despite this message he seems to be unable to write interesting characters, instead relying on plots usually resolved by some sort of deus ex machina. Invoke things like wars in deep space and 11-dimensional beings seems a rather backwards way of positing his message. The first 10 pages of the Village Teacher were great! I would love it if he could tell a story about earthlings on earth. Something about finding humanity in other humans instead of the value of humanity in the abstract (literally against frictionless planes!).
reflective
medium-paced
3.5/5
Some stories were beautiful and inspiring. Others had fantastic concepts but strange executions. And one felt really quite boring. Overall a nice little anthology of sci-fi stories.
Some stories were beautiful and inspiring. Others had fantastic concepts but strange executions. And one felt really quite boring. Overall a nice little anthology of sci-fi stories.