Scan barcode
chorvereads's review against another edition
3.0
I think [bc:The Kite of Stars and Other Stories|2102407|The Kite of Stars and Other Stories|Dean Francis Alfar|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1213583759s/2102407.jpg|2107771] is still the better collection but Alfar has already made me his biggest fan:-) After reading Kite of Stars, if you are thirsty for more fiction, you may pick this one up. [a:Dean Francis Alfar|314398|Dean Francis Alfar|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1487040473p2/314398.jpg] is such an amazing storyteller. He has such a grasp of the words that it seems like the stories are the most accurate representation of his mind. And then combine it with his love affair with speculative fiction it can only result to something truly fantastic.
jelundberg's review against another edition
5.0
My official blurb on the back of the book:
"Dean Francis Alfar has done it again. After two remarkable collections and one of the best novels I've ever read, he returns with a new batch of stories that are whimsical, tragic, mythic, unsettling and heartbreaking, sometimes all at once. Alfar is one of the few writers who continually leaves me in awe and surprise, and a new book of his is always an especial gift. Open it and savor." —Jason Erik Lundberg, author of Strange Mammals
"Dean Francis Alfar has done it again. After two remarkable collections and one of the best novels I've ever read, he returns with a new batch of stories that are whimsical, tragic, mythic, unsettling and heartbreaking, sometimes all at once. Alfar is one of the few writers who continually leaves me in awe and surprise, and a new book of his is always an especial gift. Open it and savor." —Jason Erik Lundberg, author of Strange Mammals
fire_red67's review
dark
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Stories from this book came from one of my literature classes. That got me interested in reading the book. And I am not disappointed of what I have gained from it.
kermetanoia's review
5.0
Most of the stories were a thrill to read and I'm sure they're going to stay in my mind for a time. I also really love the feel and look of the cover.
earlapvaldez's review
4.0
I think this is the first collection of Alfar that I didn't like as a whole. Some short stories here just does not strike at the heart or to any of my sentiments, although there were some that are great.
mxleigh's review
5.0
This is my first acquaintance with Philippine speculative fiction. Alfar is a gift!
mariaellabetos's review
3.0
So ganito pala ang speculative fiction~
Some are really good, but the others are just meh, I tried myself getting to the end of it. Some stories are forgetrable, others are ZOMG SHOCKING and worthy to remember.
The first story is really good though. He's like doing a Neil Gaiman mood, bleak, dark, and a personification of those we see everyday as commuters.
Some are really good, but the others are just meh, I tried myself getting to the end of it. Some stories are forgetrable, others are ZOMG SHOCKING and worthy to remember.
The first story is really good though. He's like doing a Neil Gaiman mood, bleak, dark, and a personification of those we see everyday as commuters.
sondershelf's review
adventurous
reflective
medium-paced
3.0
"We Filipinos like to imagine that we are all the same when the truth is we are all different despite our commonalities, preferring to stick to the circumscribed areas of the familiar. It takes disasters to get us together momentarily--an earthquake or a super typhoon that devastates distant provinces--before we retreat, convinced we have done our part."
"I think this country deliberately remains partially mired in its past, where it can admire its imagined zenith"
Short stories I enjoyed from this collection:
-A Field Guide to the Roads of Manila
-Notes on an Ascent
-City Crossing
-Glove and the Goggles
-This is the Story
As a fan of speculative fiction, these collection of stories were a delight to read. Especially during the current time of the pandemic, these stories present images of the metropolitan that is beating and alive. Contrasting to today's abandoned and liminal settings it has been reduced to.
eleennaeisloved's review
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
miss_annette's review
3.0
I feel a little let down because there’s no touch of whimsy I’ve come to expect from a Dean Francis Alfar’s book. But don’t let that discourage you from picking up this book. The magic is still there.