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4.25 AVERAGE
4.25 AVERAGE
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I really enjoyed this collection! The stories were quite varied but all enjoyable.
I really enjoyed a majority of these stories. The magic and fantasy was interesting and the characters had interesting development. I don't typically read short stories because they usually leave me wanting more told, which is what I felt about many of these as well. Glad I got the exposure to them!
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Great book of supernatural short stories rooted in Chinese-Malaysian culture!
dark
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
medium-paced
I love this short story collection best of all Zen Cho I’ve read, which is not a light statement, as I’ve read all of her back catalogue and kept up with new releases since, and love Black Water Sister and Order of Pure Moon quite a bit. It’s just so good! Even more so if you consider these were some of the earlier writings. They are such a lovely, vibrant, polyphonic amalgamation of Malaysian and British, and the stories such a great combo of traditional mythology and modern perspective. I would be hard pressed to pick a favourite short story, and i say with awe and humility that I learnt so much from them about a culture that’s not my own, and enjoyed myself tremendously on each re-read. An easy and sincere recommendation from me on this one, and I’m so glad this collection is now getting a mainstream release in the UK (I say, as I clutch my well-loved US copy to my heart
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Delightful. Not all of the stories were equally wonderful, but this was a colorful, funny, heartfelt and imaginative foray into Malaysian mythology and family life. I really enjoyed all of them, especially the story about the Aunts and the Dragon.
I don't even have to add content warnings because the author thoughtfully added them to the beginning of each story!
I don't even have to add content warnings because the author thoughtfully added them to the beginning of each story!