Scan barcode
bookishevy's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Two years ago, I blindly downloaded Stories of Your Life and Others by Ted Chiang and forgot about it. I finally listened to it and struggled to pick my favorites. It came down to which ones I couldn't stop thinking about.
Seventy-two Letters - science vs religion, race and class vs politics in Victorian England when scientist Robert Stratton builds an automaton with hopes of helping poor laborers, but Lord Fieldhurst wants to use the creation to control the lower classes.
Hell Is the Absence of God - terrifying. Imagine a world in which the existence of God, souls, and the after life cannot be disputed, visitations by angels are a common occurrence, and loved ones ascend to heaven and descend to hell before your eyes.
Liking What You See: A Documentary - this story is told in a series of interviews. People discuss the implications of a reversible procedure called calliagnosia, which eliminates the ability to tell if a person is attractive or not. I was riled up.
Story of Your Life - A few minutes into this story, I started. How did I not know that one of my favorite sci-fi films, Arrival, was based on this novella? The story is so much more than humans trying to communicate with aliens and figure out what they want. It examines free will. Since the heptapods experience time simultaneously, they already know their future, so they can't make choices. I also liked that it's narrated by linguist Dr. Louise Banks and is more straightforward so that we know from the start when she first meets the heptapods. The reader understands that engaging with the heptapods changes how Banks experiences time. In the film, how she experiences time doesn't snap into place until later, and then the viewer is like Oooooohhhhhh.
I feel smarter after finishing this read. My thoughts were definitely provoked. LOL! I dont regret downloading this audiobook. Abby Craden and Todd McLaren did the stories justice and brought the characters to life. There were some suspenseful scenes that I got completely lost in.
Seventy-two Letters - science vs religion, race and class vs politics in Victorian England when scientist Robert Stratton builds an automaton with hopes of helping poor laborers, but Lord Fieldhurst wants to use the creation to control the lower classes.
Hell Is the Absence of God - terrifying. Imagine a world in which the existence of God, souls, and the after life cannot be disputed, visitations by angels are a common occurrence, and loved ones ascend to heaven and descend to hell before your eyes.
Liking What You See: A Documentary - this story is told in a series of interviews. People discuss the implications of a reversible procedure called calliagnosia, which eliminates the ability to tell if a person is attractive or not. I was riled up.
Story of Your Life - A few minutes into this story, I started. How did I not know that one of my favorite sci-fi films, Arrival, was based on this novella? The story is so much more than humans trying to communicate with aliens and figure out what they want. It examines free will. Since the heptapods experience time simultaneously, they already know their future, so they can't make choices. I also liked that it's narrated by linguist Dr. Louise Banks and is more straightforward so that we know from the start when she first meets the heptapods. The reader understands that engaging with the heptapods changes how Banks experiences time. In the film, how she experiences time doesn't snap into place until later, and then the viewer is like Oooooohhhhhh.
I feel smarter after finishing this read. My thoughts were definitely provoked. LOL! I dont regret downloading this audiobook. Abby Craden and Todd McLaren did the stories justice and brought the characters to life. There were some suspenseful scenes that I got completely lost in.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Child death
jwells's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
Ted Chiang is astonishing, but no one needs me to tell them that.
"Story of Your Life," in particular, is exceptional. It's rare to read something so intellectually engaging that's also so emotionally moving. Thoroughly deserves the awards it won.
"Story of Your Life," in particular, is exceptional. It's rare to read something so intellectually engaging that's also so emotionally moving. Thoroughly deserves the awards it won.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death and Grief
randomwrites's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
This book has a mix of historical and modern science fiction. The most interesting commonality is Chiang using scientific and mathematic concepts as allegory for humanities flaws. Let it be known that I am biased as Ted Chiang is a favorite author of mine.
Content Warnings
Minor: Child death
joannalouise's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
informative
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism, Child death, and Self harm
kylieqrada's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
😱 I'm not usually an anthology girly, but this absolutely slapped. Almost all of the stories were highly rated, but Story of Your Life will definitely stick with me. I need to read Exhalation, like, now.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide attempt, Suicidal thoughts, and Mental illness
Moderate: Death, Child death, and Suicide
Minor: Racism, Sexism, and Bullying
ehponies's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Ted Chiang re-defines my understanding of speculative fiction, science, and human experience through this phenomenonal collection. Ted Chiang is a champion of methodical, patient, loving, and kind writing -- he embraces you through technical writing that somehow opens up a new understanding of an intimate part of your own life despite the absurdity of the premise of each narrative. A beautiful time.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Child death, and Violence
onlyonebookshelf's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Violence, and Child death
stargirlmolly's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Death, and Grief
Minor: Terminal illness and Suicidal thoughts
jakobpunkt's review against another edition
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Stunning. Most of the stories in this collection are on a common theme of "what if the way we perceived the world was radically altered?" But the ways in which that perception is altered is vastly different from story to story. Every story is highly unique and extremely effective.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death
samotage820's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
I can't think of a better way to describe Ted Chiang's sci-fi than "deeply human." Chiang writes each story with a great amount of care for both the sci-fi premise and the characters navigating it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness
Moderate: Child death
Minor: Body shaming, Injury/Injury detail, and Suicide attempt