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A review by the_wistful_word_witch
Gods of Want: Stories by K-Ming Chang
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Gods of Want was a strangely compelling book. The stories were interesting and even haunting, but I don't know that I'd say I "liked" them. I was left intrigued, confused, and wondering wtf I just read.
The writing is quite evocative, bringing the surrealness of the stories to vibrant life. Flashes of images cropping up in my mind - raccoons in a sailboat, a parade of brothers, a weeping ceiling above a mattress-less bedframe, a kiss for good fortune...
Some of my fave quotes:
"I want to unbutton the stars with my fingers and forget them inside my fist."
"We've been listening to your prayers without needing subtitles, we've been fluent in you forever."
"she was interested in moon watching, which she told me was not the same as just looking at the moon - moonwatching was the process by which you wooed a woman down from her night perch."
"Outside, I could hear the stars hit the roof like rain."
The writing is quite evocative, bringing the surrealness of the stories to vibrant life. Flashes of images cropping up in my mind - raccoons in a sailboat, a parade of brothers, a weeping ceiling above a mattress-less bedframe, a kiss for good fortune...
Some of my fave quotes:
"I want to unbutton the stars with my fingers and forget them inside my fist."
"We've been listening to your prayers without needing subtitles, we've been fluent in you forever."
"she was interested in moon watching, which she told me was not the same as just looking at the moon - moonwatching was the process by which you wooed a woman down from her night perch."
"Outside, I could hear the stars hit the roof like rain."
Content Warnings
Minor: Toxic relationship, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Xenophobia, Violence, Toxic friendship, Child death, Death, Animal death, and Suicidal thoughts