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bluepoohreads22's review
5.0
My first book for the year…and I’m glad I picked this one up. This is a collection of 15 short stories by 15 authors from various backgrounds.
It is divided into three sections, The Others, Knotted Ties and and The Unknown. The Others comprises of four, Knotted Ties; five and The Unknown had six short stories. Such a lovely arrangement.
Each short story has a unique and relatable theme. I enjoyed reading all of them. You can take your time to read one short story at a time and devour it. Though it is a short story, some of them has heavy theme in it. I would definitely suggest to take some time in between to savour this book.
I particularly related to When We Are Young by Sara’s Manickam’s story. It dealt with discrimination that still exists in this part of the world. As the new year begins, I hope everyone would be given an equal and fair opportunity.
Another heartwarming story that I adored was The Lantern Maker’s Wife by Clara Mok. It was such a lovely and endearing to read this particular story. I loved it. ❤️
Some of the themes covered in this book would be friendship, racial and caste based discriminations, love, jealously, betrayal, some elements of supernatural, kindness, sibling relationships and many more.
Would definitely recommend this book to everyone. It’s a concise book with a variety of flavours. You are in for a treat!
My ratings: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨(4.5)
Thank you Penguin Books SEA for sending me a copy of this book.
It is divided into three sections, The Others, Knotted Ties and and The Unknown. The Others comprises of four, Knotted Ties; five and The Unknown had six short stories. Such a lovely arrangement.
Each short story has a unique and relatable theme. I enjoyed reading all of them. You can take your time to read one short story at a time and devour it. Though it is a short story, some of them has heavy theme in it. I would definitely suggest to take some time in between to savour this book.
I particularly related to When We Are Young by Sara’s Manickam’s story. It dealt with discrimination that still exists in this part of the world. As the new year begins, I hope everyone would be given an equal and fair opportunity.
Another heartwarming story that I adored was The Lantern Maker’s Wife by Clara Mok. It was such a lovely and endearing to read this particular story. I loved it. ❤️
Some of the themes covered in this book would be friendship, racial and caste based discriminations, love, jealously, betrayal, some elements of supernatural, kindness, sibling relationships and many more.
Would definitely recommend this book to everyone. It’s a concise book with a variety of flavours. You are in for a treat!
My ratings: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨(4.5)
Thank you Penguin Books SEA for sending me a copy of this book.
katonthejellicoe's review
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
tier: liked it a lot
"Fifteen stories, all set in Asia. Fifteen storytellers, who have mastered the art of laying bare the human psyche. Stories of pain, and power, and good fighting the bad. Stories that take you to the mystical dark side. Stories that knot family ties in darkness."
one of the best things i've discovered last year was my love for anthologies. so when Penguin Random House SEA sent me a copy of this book, I WAS THRILLED. i mean... 15 stories by 15 southeast asian authors?????? what more could i ask for???
and it was so much better than i've expected.
this short story collection consists of different narratives across the southeast asian community. it tells various themes from friendship and familial ties to gender identity and stereotypes to supernatural beliefs and superstitions to race differentiation and economic status. it evokes emotions such as grief, longing, pain, disappointment, betrayal, fear, and so much more. it gives us a glimpse of one's cultural nuances and unspoken struggles from sea perspectives. i was glad i was given a chance to read these multifaceted stories written by fifteen amazing asian writers.
with that, a huge thanks to Penguin Random House SEA for kindly sending me this copy!
"Fifteen stories, all set in Asia. Fifteen storytellers, who have mastered the art of laying bare the human psyche. Stories of pain, and power, and good fighting the bad. Stories that take you to the mystical dark side. Stories that knot family ties in darkness."
one of the best things i've discovered last year was my love for anthologies. so when Penguin Random House SEA sent me a copy of this book, I WAS THRILLED. i mean... 15 stories by 15 southeast asian authors?????? what more could i ask for???
and it was so much better than i've expected.
this short story collection consists of different narratives across the southeast asian community. it tells various themes from friendship and familial ties to gender identity and stereotypes to supernatural beliefs and superstitions to race differentiation and economic status. it evokes emotions such as grief, longing, pain, disappointment, betrayal, fear, and so much more. it gives us a glimpse of one's cultural nuances and unspoken struggles from sea perspectives. i was glad i was given a chance to read these multifaceted stories written by fifteen amazing asian writers.
with that, a huge thanks to Penguin Random House SEA for kindly sending me this copy!
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