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jazzreads's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Favorite stories were: Lulu, On the Street Where You Live, and Gubeikou Spirit
New Fruit was disturbing and engrossing, but the social and political commentary was a little too on the nose for me.
Hotline Girl and Field Notes on a Marriage were both so sad too, and sad in an unsettling way. The rest of the stories were mid. Worth picking up if you want a quick and strange read.
New Fruit was disturbing and engrossing, but the social and political commentary was a little too on the nose for me.
Hotline Girl and Field Notes on a Marriage were both so sad too, and sad in an unsettling way. The rest of the stories were mid. Worth picking up if you want a quick and strange read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide and Death
the_sunken_library's review against another edition
4.0
Imaginative and well written, my heart dropped at the conclusion of the final story. Damn, I wanted to know more.
effinalice's review against another edition
medium-paced
4.5
Land of Big Number is a short story collection mostly set in China. The stories focus on the Chinese diaspora highlighting peoples desires and dreams whilst living under an oppressive regime. Most of the stories focus on people's daily lives while incorporating just a smidge of magic or magical realism. Each story pulled me in.
scobjob's review against another edition
Incredibly clever and excellent use of common situations with slight twists to explore social dynamics.
anjalisudarsan's review against another edition
5.0
Short stories have always been one of my favourite type of books to sink into, and this one was definitely worth the experience. Each story was so beautifully written, giving me a picture of China from the eyes of the people, a perspective that's very different from what I'm accustomed to. Themes like the political situation, rural lives, migration, etc., were explored; along with the challenges and questions one faces in their lifetime. I would read this book again!
littlepepperguy's review against another edition
4.5
This is a really solid collection of short stories. They each have so much personality and it is so fun to read, they're all really good. My fave was def the gubeikou spirit. I can't believe one author has so much control and connection to be able to write all of these stories, they're so varied in voice and tone I def thought it was a dif author every story.
Really incredible.
Really incredible.
smalefowles's review against another edition
dark
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
marydith's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Really unique short story collection. I found it interesting how every single story ended so abruptly, and sometimes in the height of the action, particularly with Gubeiko Station. For some of them I felt the abruptness added to the story but for others it left me wishing I had more time with the characters (especially with the first story about the siblings). All combined, it gave this effect that you were getting small glimpses into the characters lives and made the stories feel more intimate.
dinasamimi's review against another edition
5.0
All these stories were engrossing and unique. Great storytelling that felt quintessentially Chinese. I usually find that story collections are a mixed bag, but these were all so good. Chen has a gift for both character and plot.
jess_mango's review against another edition
4.0
I like to throw a short story collection into the mix now and then. They are great to pick up when you have a moment and read a single story and don't need to worry about remembering anything if you don't pick it back up for another couple of days.
Land of Big Numbers is a debut short story collection by Te-Ping Chen set in China or featuring Chinese immigrants living abroad. The stories are all about everyday people and how the culmination of Chinese culture, government and traditions have all impacted life for contemporary Chinese people. We see people looking to better their lives when limited paths are available to them. Many of the stories were realistic, taut with emotion. Others had a twist of magical realism or the absurd.
My two favorite stories in the collection were New Fruit and Gubeikou Spirit. New Fruit is about a new fruit that comes to market and it tastes sweet and is the most delicious thing ever. It puts everyone in a good mood and there is a high demand for it. When it goes out of season, people long for it. When the season comes around again, the prices are jacked up and people eagerly pay the higher price, just to taste it again. But, this season, the fruit isn't quite as sweet and it makes everyone who eats it melancholy. Gubeikou Spirit is a take on the absurdity of bureaucracy. A group of commuters get stuck in a subway station for months because the train broke down, other trains won't stop at the station, and the entry ticket system doesn't let people leave via the same station they entered. Train employees bring them food and TVs through the employee entrance but won't let the commuters out since the door is labeled "Staff Only". I loved it. It reminded my of [b:The Trial|17690|The Trial|Franz Kafka|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1320399438l/17690._SY75_.jpg|2965832] or [b:All the Names|2528|All the Names|José Saramago|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1327955213l/2528._SX50_.jpg|1030699], two of my favorites in the trope.
Thank you to the publisher for the review copy!
Land of Big Numbers is a debut short story collection by Te-Ping Chen set in China or featuring Chinese immigrants living abroad. The stories are all about everyday people and how the culmination of Chinese culture, government and traditions have all impacted life for contemporary Chinese people. We see people looking to better their lives when limited paths are available to them. Many of the stories were realistic, taut with emotion. Others had a twist of magical realism or the absurd.
My two favorite stories in the collection were New Fruit and Gubeikou Spirit. New Fruit is about a new fruit that comes to market and it tastes sweet and is the most delicious thing ever. It puts everyone in a good mood and there is a high demand for it. When it goes out of season, people long for it. When the season comes around again, the prices are jacked up and people eagerly pay the higher price, just to taste it again. But, this season, the fruit isn't quite as sweet and it makes everyone who eats it melancholy. Gubeikou Spirit is a take on the absurdity of bureaucracy. A group of commuters get stuck in a subway station for months because the train broke down, other trains won't stop at the station, and the entry ticket system doesn't let people leave via the same station they entered. Train employees bring them food and TVs through the employee entrance but won't let the commuters out since the door is labeled "Staff Only". I loved it. It reminded my of [b:The Trial|17690|The Trial|Franz Kafka|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1320399438l/17690._SY75_.jpg|2965832] or [b:All the Names|2528|All the Names|José Saramago|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1327955213l/2528._SX50_.jpg|1030699], two of my favorites in the trope.
Thank you to the publisher for the review copy!