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4.25 AVERAGE
4.25 AVERAGE
mysterious
reflective
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
adventurous
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
this was a really difficult read. having no experience with any malaysian language, culture, or history... i was really thrown into the deep end here and the things being discussed weren't the most google-able. (what good is google in 2025 filled with ai slop anyways?) some of the stories transcend language though and made me feel like i was gonna fucking implode. i wish there was some amount of glossary in the book though i respect the author not including one. it's on the reader to figure it the fuck out and research what they don't understand.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gore, Sexism, Blood, Grief, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Body shaming, Child abuse, Child death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Cannibalism, Stalking, Murder, Sexual harassment
Minor: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Fatphobia, Homophobia, Miscarriage, Racism, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicide, Terminal illness, Xenophobia, Excrement, Medical content, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Lesbophobia, War
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was a slow read for me that picked up considerably as it went on.
Short story collections are often a mixed bag, and at the start of Spirits Abroad I was feeling disappointed - I loved Black Water Sister, but didn’t get on with Sorcerer to the Crown, and I was getting more of the latter than the former. However, I found the stories in the second half to be far more to my taste.
In ‘Here’, I’d say The House of Aunts was the story that stood out for me.
In ‘There’, I enjoyed almost all the stories, but particularly the two paired sets of narratives (Rising Lion - The Lion Bows/Seven Star Drum, and Prudence and the Dragon/The Perseverance of Angela’s last life), and If at First You Don’t Succeed, Try, Try Again, which had me laughing out loud and crying.
In ‘Elsewhere’, I’d probably say The Terra-cotta Bride was my favourite.
Overall, I really enjoyed the Malaysian mythology (and its humorous brushes against other mythologies, particularly Western), the queerness, and the acknowledgement of the hold family has on you. It may take a while to get going, but it’s a collection that’s worth the wait.
Last but not least: shout out to the gorgeous UK cover by Iris Lei!
Short story collections are often a mixed bag, and at the start of Spirits Abroad I was feeling disappointed - I loved Black Water Sister, but didn’t get on with Sorcerer to the Crown, and I was getting more of the latter than the former. However, I found the stories in the second half to be far more to my taste.
In ‘Here’, I’d say The House of Aunts was the story that stood out for me.
In ‘There’, I enjoyed almost all the stories, but particularly the two paired sets of narratives (Rising Lion - The Lion Bows/Seven Star Drum, and Prudence and the Dragon/The Perseverance of Angela’s last life), and If at First You Don’t Succeed, Try, Try Again, which had me laughing out loud and crying.
In ‘Elsewhere’, I’d probably say The Terra-cotta Bride was my favourite.
Overall, I really enjoyed the Malaysian mythology (and its humorous brushes against other mythologies, particularly Western), the queerness, and the acknowledgement of the hold family has on you. It may take a while to get going, but it’s a collection that’s worth the wait.
Last but not least: shout out to the gorgeous UK cover by Iris Lei!
informative
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Due to the many different stories it's difficult to put a number of stars on this book. Some I really liked, others not so much. And it being short stories meant 'getting into the story' was difficult.
FULL REVIEW: https://literarey.wordpress.com/2020/08/01/spiritsabroad/
I really enjoyed this collection of short stories. I've always had an interest in myths and folklore from other cultures. I had a great time reading the retellings and stories from Malay culture in this book. I really enjoyed the characters especially.
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No