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aoc's review
3.0
As usual, short story anthologies are tricky to review especially when there's no universal theme to bind individual works in some fashion. Before I get into it earnestly I have to confess Watering Heaven left me puzzled seeing as, at first, I thought it was translated from Chinese, but that couldn't possibly be the case. Why? Because dialog itself comes off as so terse and basic compared to rather evocative descriptions of both visual imagery and emotional states of characters Peter Tieryas Liu pens together marvelously. I guess he's just better at describing things over giving his characters oratory skills.
We have twenty stories to work with and when I say they're SHORT I really mean it. There's only a handful that would pass the litmus test as such while most are flash fiction with one even going even under that. Since I'm on the topic I'm not trying to say length of these stories is the issue because you can successfully tell your tale without delving into epic trilogies. Major problem I had with Watering Heaven is simply how conclusions to most stories were handled. In my mind short stories tend to end on a zinger, some cliffhanger or poignant finale. Perhaps even along the lines of traditional fables where you have a sort-of ingrained wisdom or lesson. In this case issue lies with how most endings simply under-deliver or feed into seeming despair in order to achieve semblance of an ending, but instead their final form is just... an abrupt stop sign. This is clearly a pet peeve of mine and probably won't matter at all to you, though.
Any commonality? Well, most of the stories are set in Beijing. Everything else varies significantly and you're better off discovering it on your own while keeping in mind unevenness abounds here. Such is fate of all collections and there's nothing to be alarmed about.
We have twenty stories to work with and when I say they're SHORT I really mean it. There's only a handful that would pass the litmus test as such while most are flash fiction with one even going even under that. Since I'm on the topic I'm not trying to say length of these stories is the issue because you can successfully tell your tale without delving into epic trilogies. Major problem I had with Watering Heaven is simply how conclusions to most stories were handled. In my mind short stories tend to end on a zinger, some cliffhanger or poignant finale. Perhaps even along the lines of traditional fables where you have a sort-of ingrained wisdom or lesson. In this case issue lies with how most endings simply under-deliver or feed into seeming despair in order to achieve semblance of an ending, but instead their final form is just... an abrupt stop sign. This is clearly a pet peeve of mine and probably won't matter at all to you, though.
Any commonality? Well, most of the stories are set in Beijing. Everything else varies significantly and you're better off discovering it on your own while keeping in mind unevenness abounds here. Such is fate of all collections and there's nothing to be alarmed about.
meganmreads's review
3.0
I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
This was a well written and thought provoking short story collection. It’s intelligent and strange, with wonderful descriptions and metaphors and revelations and I enjoyed reading it. My favorite story was the first one, Chronology of an Egg, perhaps because I didn’t quite know what to expect when I first opened the book.
The reason I didn’t rate this collection of stories higher was because towards the middle of the book, I felt a lot of repetition and it was losing it’s charm. It became more predictable as the main character of each story meets up with a strange and fascinating woman. This type of fiction is something that appeals to me, but it’s also easy for me to dislike it. I liked the stories in this collection, but I felt it could have been a shorter collection or hold more surprises in order for me to rate it higher. This is definitely a personal thing for me and I’m always a little hesitant to take requests to read surreal fiction because it is harder for me to rate highly.
I would definitely recommend this short story collection, especially to those that like magical realism, surrealism, and/or strange, yet intelligent stories. It was well done and I would definitely read other works by the author.
This was a well written and thought provoking short story collection. It’s intelligent and strange, with wonderful descriptions and metaphors and revelations and I enjoyed reading it. My favorite story was the first one, Chronology of an Egg, perhaps because I didn’t quite know what to expect when I first opened the book.
“’Words should have gravity. If you can’t get arrested for a word, it probably isn’t worth using.’” –Chronology of an Egg
The reason I didn’t rate this collection of stories higher was because towards the middle of the book, I felt a lot of repetition and it was losing it’s charm. It became more predictable as the main character of each story meets up with a strange and fascinating woman. This type of fiction is something that appeals to me, but it’s also easy for me to dislike it. I liked the stories in this collection, but I felt it could have been a shorter collection or hold more surprises in order for me to rate it higher. This is definitely a personal thing for me and I’m always a little hesitant to take requests to read surreal fiction because it is harder for me to rate highly.
I would definitely recommend this short story collection, especially to those that like magical realism, surrealism, and/or strange, yet intelligent stories. It was well done and I would definitely read other works by the author.
thrifty_librarian's review
1.0
I won a copy of this through a GoodReads giveaway - thank you!
Though I appreciated the unique premises behind these stories, I didn't get much out of them. The author came up with some cool ideas but executed them poorly. I found the writing stilted and the dialogue unrealistic (e.g. "You'll never work in this town again!"). There was really no prose, just very formulaic, often awkward, dialogue. Perhaps a skilled editor could've really taken these to the next level.
I understand that everything is simplified in a short story (you can't develop in 10 pages what you can in 400), but the characters felt so uniform that it was as though the same two people starred in every story.
Overall, this reminded me of some of my college creative writing courses, in which some of the stories were promising, but none was quite complete. This is the author's debut, and I'm sure he'll keep improving as he moves on in his career.
Though I appreciated the unique premises behind these stories, I didn't get much out of them. The author came up with some cool ideas but executed them poorly. I found the writing stilted and the dialogue unrealistic (e.g. "You'll never work in this town again!"). There was really no prose, just very formulaic, often awkward, dialogue. Perhaps a skilled editor could've really taken these to the next level.
I understand that everything is simplified in a short story (you can't develop in 10 pages what you can in 400), but the characters felt so uniform that it was as though the same two people starred in every story.
Overall, this reminded me of some of my college creative writing courses, in which some of the stories were promising, but none was quite complete. This is the author's debut, and I'm sure he'll keep improving as he moves on in his career.
pearseanderson's review
3.0
These were interesting stories, mostly centered on the Hollywood-Beijing crowd of white collar workers and models falling in love and having existential crises. Most people in the stories felt like they were speaking knowing that their dialogue was being recorded and could, one day, be spliced into an indie movie trailer. Does that make sense? I'm giving this a solid 6/10 - I wouldn't reread any of these stories on my own time if pressed, but they read fast and smooth.
tuckerturner's review
5.0
I love this book!!!
The multifacited stories and complex, yet simple, characters of these short stories by Peter are so enrapturing and beautiful.
from Gradients to the Empty page, and to rodenticide and many more, this anthology will entertain you, and draw you in to their world and make you curious about it and make you not be able to put this book down.
The multifacited stories and complex, yet simple, characters of these short stories by Peter are so enrapturing and beautiful.
from Gradients to the Empty page, and to rodenticide and many more, this anthology will entertain you, and draw you in to their world and make you curious about it and make you not be able to put this book down.
holliereadsbooks's review
4.0
This review was first posted on Music, Books and Tea
There was something that grabbed at my attention when Watering Heaven was requested to me. Perhaps it was the fact that I haven’t read much in terms of Asian fiction, or perhaps because it was described as a travelogue. Whatever it was, it sparked something in me.
Watering Heaven is a collection of nineteen short stories, all with some connection to Asia, be it the setting or the characters themselves. There’s also a lot of Asian folklore including in Watering Heaven, and I loved how these were included into the stories. They complemented each other well, and I thought that they were a fantastic edition into the stories. The stories wove together well too, not always with the characters featured but also with the settings and landmarks. I love it when stories do that, as I feel it really helps them to interlock together well.
The writing in Watering Heaven is exquisite. And I really do mean that. There are so many beautiful quotes in this book. They didn’t feel misplaced within the stories either. Sometimes, a quote can be brilliant, yet stick out like a sore thumb for the wrong reasons. This isn’t the case with Watering Heaven, everything flows together seamlessly. My favourite stories, basically the ones that have stayed with me, were A Beijing Romance, Staccato and Searching for Normalcy. That’s not to say the others were bad, those three were the ones that made the largest impression on myself. A lot of these stories are incredibly thought-provoking, asking weighty questions and taking the characters through experiences that I hope to never have to go through myself.
My one real complaint with Watering Heaven, and this is an extremely petty complaint that I have about nearly every single short story I read: some of the stories were too short. I know that’s the point of short stories, I honestly do. I just get so attached to the characters and their backgrounds that I want to spend more time with them, learn more about them and their relationships with others. I just get so frustrated reading short stories sometimes, it’s like getting a lick of ice cream when you just want to have the entire scoop. Watering Heaven also has some mature themes running through it, so this isn’t one for people who don’t like reading about sex or death. I didn’t personally have a problem with the themes, but I am all too aware that there are people that do.
Overall, Watering Heaven was an interesting and, at times, thought-provoking read. Whilst it’s not something I’d have picked up off my own back, I’m pleased I got to experience the beautiful writing that is contained within these stories.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
There was something that grabbed at my attention when Watering Heaven was requested to me. Perhaps it was the fact that I haven’t read much in terms of Asian fiction, or perhaps because it was described as a travelogue. Whatever it was, it sparked something in me.
Watering Heaven is a collection of nineteen short stories, all with some connection to Asia, be it the setting or the characters themselves. There’s also a lot of Asian folklore including in Watering Heaven, and I loved how these were included into the stories. They complemented each other well, and I thought that they were a fantastic edition into the stories. The stories wove together well too, not always with the characters featured but also with the settings and landmarks. I love it when stories do that, as I feel it really helps them to interlock together well.
The writing in Watering Heaven is exquisite. And I really do mean that. There are so many beautiful quotes in this book. They didn’t feel misplaced within the stories either. Sometimes, a quote can be brilliant, yet stick out like a sore thumb for the wrong reasons. This isn’t the case with Watering Heaven, everything flows together seamlessly. My favourite stories, basically the ones that have stayed with me, were A Beijing Romance, Staccato and Searching for Normalcy. That’s not to say the others were bad, those three were the ones that made the largest impression on myself. A lot of these stories are incredibly thought-provoking, asking weighty questions and taking the characters through experiences that I hope to never have to go through myself.
My one real complaint with Watering Heaven, and this is an extremely petty complaint that I have about nearly every single short story I read: some of the stories were too short. I know that’s the point of short stories, I honestly do. I just get so attached to the characters and their backgrounds that I want to spend more time with them, learn more about them and their relationships with others. I just get so frustrated reading short stories sometimes, it’s like getting a lick of ice cream when you just want to have the entire scoop. Watering Heaven also has some mature themes running through it, so this isn’t one for people who don’t like reading about sex or death. I didn’t personally have a problem with the themes, but I am all too aware that there are people that do.
Overall, Watering Heaven was an interesting and, at times, thought-provoking read. Whilst it’s not something I’d have picked up off my own back, I’m pleased I got to experience the beautiful writing that is contained within these stories.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
oddandbookish's review
3.0
A collection of short stories that I liked but didn't love.
I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads.
I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads.
purplemoonmyst's review
5.0
http://www.adventuresinneverneverland.com/2012/11/13/watering-heaven-a-book-review/
craigwallwork's review
5.0
In Watering Heaven, Tieryas successfully peels back the rind of life to exposure the sweet, and sometimes bitter, fruit that lies beneath, where chance meetings blossom into love, dialogue is so slick you fear your eyes may slip while reading, and the ordinary is a catacomb for a surreal beauty metamorphosing within. Being a keen fan of the short story, I found Water Heaven one of the best collections I have ever read. What Tieryas does in this collection is offer questions about love that many writers dare not ask, and those that have ventured close, have done so clumsily in comparison. His ability to exposure our insecurities and thoughts is nothing short of genius. Yes, if love is the thread skewering these stories together, then loneliness is the needle punctuating each. In truth, it felt less like a short story collection and more a novel. The narrator had many voices, the stories different but united, merged and blurred but unique too. It was truly inspiring to read. I could break down the stories and give my favourites, but to do so would dull the magic and perhaps force you to gravitate to some more than others. What you need to do is go into this book blind, and discover through the skill of the writer, all the colours of the world; light will merge from darkness, the prosaic will be rendered strange and wonderful.
Existential, smart, magical and dipped into beauty, a collection that will forevermore stain the fabric of great literature. Can't recommend this enough.
Existential, smart, magical and dipped into beauty, a collection that will forevermore stain the fabric of great literature. Can't recommend this enough.
abookishaffair's review
5.0
4.5 stars. Short stories are usually not my genre of choice. There have been a couple books in 2012 that have changed my mind a little bit. "Watering Heaven" is most definitely among those ranks. You must read this book. If you like authors who know how to use magical realism to elicit really gorgeous stories, you must read this book. If you like authors like Borges or Murakami that make the unreal seem plausible and even real, you must read this book. If you are an armchair traveler, you must read this book. Here's what I'm trying to say to you, this book is going to appeal to a lot of people and I wholeheartedly suggest that you pick it up and take a look.
This book tells a lot of different stories about a lot of different people. Most of the stories are told from a gentleman's perspective. Some of the stories are from the first person point of view. Others are from the third person point of view. Many of the books have a magical realism element that I absolutely love. One of my favorite stories in the book is about a woman who lays an egg any time she has sex, which for obvious reasons perhaps, seems to drive her lovers away. I know this sounds like a really crazy scenario but the way that Liu writes, you almost find yourself wondering why this doesn't happen to more people. It's a real talent!
I also loved the traveling in this book. Many of the stories take place in California and China. I have not read a lot of stories set in China so those stories were especially interesting to me. You get a great sense of place in this book, which I absolutely love. You can see the cityscape. You can see the street corners and stores and building. You can see the different people that inhabit the world of these characters.
Bottom line: A great collection of vivid short stories!
This book tells a lot of different stories about a lot of different people. Most of the stories are told from a gentleman's perspective. Some of the stories are from the first person point of view. Others are from the third person point of view. Many of the books have a magical realism element that I absolutely love. One of my favorite stories in the book is about a woman who lays an egg any time she has sex, which for obvious reasons perhaps, seems to drive her lovers away. I know this sounds like a really crazy scenario but the way that Liu writes, you almost find yourself wondering why this doesn't happen to more people. It's a real talent!
I also loved the traveling in this book. Many of the stories take place in California and China. I have not read a lot of stories set in China so those stories were especially interesting to me. You get a great sense of place in this book, which I absolutely love. You can see the cityscape. You can see the street corners and stores and building. You can see the different people that inhabit the world of these characters.
Bottom line: A great collection of vivid short stories!
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