Scan barcode
kurrukukuxi's review
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
icyirisreads's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
If I could only take one book to a deserted island, it would be this one. It’ll take me years of rereading to understand science and philosophy like Ted Chiang! These are incredibly human stories in science fiction realities, where people must still grapple with truth, regret, and mortality. Will be thinking about this book every week for the rest of forever!
mxunsmiley's review against another edition
5.0
A rare thing when I find that most of what I read in a book gives me pause. I love this flavor of science fiction that does not relent to the notion that we are all selfish, destructive beings to each other and the world around us, and instead offers a more realistic and ultimately optimistic perspective. The careful consideration he gave to various issues like free will and autonomy is so evident in every story. I will say, though, that at times the writing can have a didactic veneer, and I appreciated more of the subtlety. This doesn't dissuade me from the 5 stars because I genuinely think each story was imaginative and captivating in that they both immersed me in their worlds and had me wondering about all kinds of possibilities, which is what I think science fiction should do.
And I also have to say that the bits in the titular story, Exhalation, when the narrator is dissecting their brain were extremely sensual... I'm sorry but how was that allowed?
And I also have to say that the bits in the titular story, Exhalation, when the narrator is dissecting their brain were extremely sensual... I'm sorry but how was that allowed?
honnari_hannya's review against another edition
4.0
Highly enjoyed this collection, even more so with Chiang's author notes explaining the origin of his idea for each story, which I think added even more depth to my reading. I love that, although these stories are science fiction, the common thread running through them wasn't necessarily the advancement of technology or speculation on the future but how people engage with technology and development.
A friend of mine described Chiang as being "very empathetic," and I think that is exactly right for this collection of stories, which surprised me with how hopeful and sincere they ended up being. Typically, when I read sci-fi (which I don't really), the rallying cry is very much, "Humans will survive because we will overcome the obstacles and we're fighters" or "Humans are terrible and destructive, and do we really deserve to survive?" Can't say I disagree there entirely, but this book put a different spin on what, if anything, will save humans in the face of annihilation or entropy—which is compassion, rather than despair; faith, in ourselves and our good intentions, rather than ennui.
My favorites were probably "Omphalos," which is the story of an archeologist grappling with her faith in god and science, and "The Great Silence," which (in my opinion) perfectly articulates the heart of this collection:
A friend of mine described Chiang as being "very empathetic," and I think that is exactly right for this collection of stories, which surprised me with how hopeful and sincere they ended up being. Typically, when I read sci-fi (which I don't really), the rallying cry is very much, "Humans will survive because we will overcome the obstacles and we're fighters" or "Humans are terrible and destructive, and do we really deserve to survive?" Can't say I disagree there entirely, but this book put a different spin on what, if anything, will save humans in the face of annihilation or entropy—which is compassion, rather than despair; faith, in ourselves and our good intentions, rather than ennui.
My favorites were probably "Omphalos," which is the story of an archeologist grappling with her faith in god and science, and "The Great Silence," which (in my opinion) perfectly articulates the heart of this collection:
The message is this:
You be good. I love you.
frankieisreading's review
challenging
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
aprovince55's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Anxiety is the Dizziness of Freedom is incredible
stroboscope's review against another edition
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
josemclr's review against another edition
5.0
Debo admitir que lo empecé con una mínima curiosidad y que no tenía tantas expectativas pero, a la torre, me sorprendió bastante. La ciencia ficción que maneja Ted Chiang es desbordante en emociones y lecciones de vida. Hasta me atrevería a decir que usa la ciencia ficción de pretexto para enseñarnos a comprendernos un poquito más dentro del mundo que nos rodea. Las situaciones que te plantea son muy muy interesantes y de verdad no encuentro forma de que no te dejen pensando. Te disparan los niveles de imaginación hasta las nubes. Me gustaría hablar de cada uno de los relatos en individual pero no tengo el espacio, ni el tiempo y ni la capacidad en estos momentos pero aquí les dejo mis favoritos (pero que quede claro que cada uno de ellos vale muchísimo la pena)
☆La verdad del hecho, la verdad del sentimiento
☆El comerciante y la puerta del alquimista
☆El ciclo de la vida de los elementos de software
☆El gran silencio
☆Exhalación
☆La verdad del hecho, la verdad del sentimiento
☆El comerciante y la puerta del alquimista
☆El ciclo de la vida de los elementos de software
☆El gran silencio
☆Exhalación