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phoebefielding's review
3.0
I’m not doubting that this was shocking when it was first published, but I think I expected more. I enjoy a short story anthology, but only ‘I Love My Mum’ and ‘Going To Heaven’ really stuck out to me.
snoakes7001's review
3.0
When reading translated fiction, not sufficiently understanding an author's culture sometimes causes an element of the book to be lost on me. I think this one may be one of those. It's banned in China, so there it must be shocking and subversive, but to my jaded western sensibilities it felt like the literary equivalent of a toddler shouting "bum tit willy poo" to get attention. It's occasionally a bit unpleasant, but not shocking.
The writing is ok though and I quite enjoyed a couple of the stories, but on the whole I couldn't quite see the point of it all. I've seen it described as a satire on China's economic transformation, but I could only see that in one of the seven tales.
It has got a great cover though!
I'd be interested to see what Chen comes up with once the desire to provoke is no longer the driving force behind the writing.
The writing is ok though and I quite enjoyed a couple of the stories, but on the whole I couldn't quite see the point of it all. I've seen it described as a satire on China's economic transformation, but I could only see that in one of the seven tales.
It has got a great cover though!
I'd be interested to see what Chen comes up with once the desire to provoke is no longer the driving force behind the writing.
achanceofbella's review
challenging
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Sometimes crosses the line from political commentary to just pure shock value, but it is aiming to shock so that is effective. My fave story was our bones, however other stories were interesting but not really enjoyable.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Sexual violence, Stalking, Physical abuse, Violence, Suicide, Sexual assault, Self harm, Rape, Drug abuse, Suicide attempt, Sexism, Child death, Animal cruelty, and Incest
bridget1989's review
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
nazad1th's review
2.0
it was cool to see what Chinese readers take for granted, like party posters on walls and military parades. weird as fuck otherwise
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