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notesquotesscarletmotes's review
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
A fun and quirky short story with an interesting cast of characters.
branch_c's review
4.0
A cleverly written short story that almost manages to achieve the whimsical stylishness of Hughart's Bridge of Birds. This one is decidedly harsher and of course much more limited in scope, but still an enjoyable and very quick read.
spinesinaline's review
challenging
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Death, and Murder
Moderate: Infidelity
zordrac's review
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
sonofthe's review
4.0
The residents of a northern Thailand town work through all the wishes that have floated downriver.
A little disjointed because I had to stop a couple times, but a charming story that gives life to all the villagers.
A little disjointed because I had to stop a couple times, but a charming story that gives life to all the villagers.
snazel's review
Having been to Chiang Mai, and Doi Suthep, this was a bit of an odd one to read.
fpwoper's review
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
As dark as this story gets in places, I absolutely loved it. It was a short but emotional piece and works really well. I'm especially taken with the way wishes are fulfilled at the end, which was the best outcome.
publius's review
2.0
So, this story is something different. And, for some reason, it's a Hugo nominee, too.
Near the end of the Mae Ping River in Thailand, a town plays a special role in an annual ritual that runs river long. Villagers will put their wishes in floating down river in paper boats and hope that they will be answered. In Doi Saket, the villagers will be led to read those wishes.
Told scattered and piece meal in the voice of an omniscient, native story teller, the disparate pieces come together to create a coherent whole. The reader can expect a twist, some loss, but also, a happy ending. The good guy is redeemed, and the bad guy gets it.
But still, something different is here, and I think it's in the voice. [a:Thomas Olde Heuvelt|1864374|Thomas Olde Heuvelt|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1371368611p2/1864374.jpg] has written an interesting story, and with an interesting voice, but still...it's just kind of odd. In some respect, it may be due to my expectations, and I think if I read this as a fable rather than as science fiction or fantasy, I might have enjoyed it differently. But Huevelt can't seem to make up his mind. Maybe that's okay. But it kept me from enjoying it more.
Near the end of the Mae Ping River in Thailand, a town plays a special role in an annual ritual that runs river long. Villagers will put their wishes in floating down river in paper boats and hope that they will be answered. In Doi Saket, the villagers will be led to read those wishes.
Told scattered and piece meal in the voice of an omniscient, native story teller, the disparate pieces come together to create a coherent whole. The reader can expect a twist, some loss, but also, a happy ending. The good guy is redeemed, and the bad guy gets it.
But still, something different is here, and I think it's in the voice. [a:Thomas Olde Heuvelt|1864374|Thomas Olde Heuvelt|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1371368611p2/1864374.jpg] has written an interesting story, and with an interesting voice, but still...it's just kind of odd. In some respect, it may be due to my expectations, and I think if I read this as a fable rather than as science fiction or fantasy, I might have enjoyed it differently. But Huevelt can't seem to make up his mind. Maybe that's okay. But it kept me from enjoying it more.
nancyotoole's review
2.0
The Ink Readers of Doi Saket is a fable-like story about wishes that takes place in Thailand. This is typically a story that would mesh very well with me, especially given the high quality of the writing, but in all honesty, I had a hard time connecting with it. Perhaps this is due to the fact that the story seems to wander around a lot in the beginning, before getting more focused in the end. Or, it could have been that I found all of the footnotes distracting. Either way, I just didn't click with this one, making it my least favorite of the short stories nominated for the Hugo Awards this year. It's well written, but not for me (Hugo Reading)