I read the special edition of this, which contained four extra short stories.
I really enjoyed the four extra stories, but the 40 page short in the tiI read the special edition of this, which contained four extra short stories.
I really enjoyed the four extra stories, but the 40 page short in the title wasn't for me. The main character was so unlikeable. Part of what makes him unlikeable is resolved by the end, but he's also super creepy towards a woman in a way that doesn't get addressed (touching her while she sleeps, and wishing he had touched her more).
In the four shorter tales, I really enjoyed Patrick's world building and the twist endings. I found the characters more amusing, even if they were not more likeable.
This is a beautiful if brief look into the life of one of the greatest pirates to ever have lived, if the little we know of her is true. Could have beThis is a beautiful if brief look into the life of one of the greatest pirates to ever have lived, if the little we know of her is true. Could have been a touch longer in the mid-section, but it is for children. ...more
Most people are probably familiar with this short story collection for its titular story, "Story of Your Life", which is what the movie "Arrival" starMost people are probably familiar with this short story collection for its titular story, "Story of Your Life", which is what the movie "Arrival" starring Amy Adams is based off of. And for that story in particular, I must say the movie was better. In a way that isn't entirely fair though. That one was written sometime between 1998 and 2001, and the movie came out in 2016. When it comes to sci-fi, some things age more quickly than others and I think it's fair game to make updates in an adaptation of this nature.
My favourite short story was probably the first, which is a liberal retelling of the Tower of Babylon.
I also really enjoyed "Understand", a story about a man with brain damage being subjected to an experimental drug that makes him exponentially smarter than other humans.
Ted Chiang is always very good at putting together a blend of sci-fi stories that range from highly technical to more simple and spiritual. There are some stories that I had my dictionary feature open for every two paragraphs, and others where it was completely unnecessary.
These are equally inspiring and anxiety-inducing science-fiction shorts.
There were only two stories I didn't care for - the memory one that seemed likThese are equally inspiring and anxiety-inducing science-fiction shorts.
There were only two stories I didn't care for - the memory one that seemed like that one Black Mirror episode, and the super long one about the virtual pets.
The one about creationism was so unique. I didn't think it would be my thing, but it was fascinating.
The first one about time travel was my definitive favourite.
I would recommend fans of this to try All the Names They Used for God, which is a mix of sci-fi and contemporary shorts, but made me think equally as hard.
I'm not going to pretend that I understood this fully, but it was short, interesting, and I still enjoyed it.
I THINK perhaps it's about (view spoiler)I'm not going to pretend that I understood this fully, but it was short, interesting, and I still enjoyed it.
I THINK perhaps it's about (view spoiler)[ a perfectly healthy woman driven mad by her husband treating her as if she is unwell. I got very lost at the end. (hide spoiler)]
With enough rereading I think I could come up with some really fun ideas and theories about what the ending means, but I'm content to leave it as is.
I heard about this one from The Book Leo, and it's definitely the perfect little creepy story for fall....more
Some of these fully scared me, and still disturb me a month later. Short stories aren't typically my cup of tea, but this collection was truly memorabSome of these fully scared me, and still disturb me a month later. Short stories aren't typically my cup of tea, but this collection was truly memorable. There was only one story of the whole lot that didn't do anything for me....more
A witty, quirky, and dark novella that I wanted just a touch more out of. Like maybe five more pages. A neat twist on possession and demons, set in a A witty, quirky, and dark novella that I wanted just a touch more out of. Like maybe five more pages. A neat twist on possession and demons, set in a fantastical historical landscape....more
I shouldn't say these short stories are funny because based on general reviews, that doesn't seem to be the collective opinion and I would hate to misI shouldn't say these short stories are funny because based on general reviews, that doesn't seem to be the collective opinion and I would hate to mislead. But I did enjoy them in the way you enjoy anything that's kind of disturbing, shocking, taboo, and maybe even a little bit vomit-inducing. I was too curious not to read each next story, no matter how bad a taste the previous one left in my mouth.
Kudos to the illustrator for burning these into my brain forever. I loved his work in the Olivia series.
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