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imaginaryturtle's review
3.0
An interesting thought experiment! I enjoyed the attention to detail and the philosophical analysis of bits I wouldn't have considered, but the ending was somewhat unsatisfying.
blenchbooks's review
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
acherk's review
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
A strange world where the existence of god and angels are clear to everyone, yet they are unknown. Their presence is demonstrable, but their goals and character are completely unrevealed. The god in this book is morally ambiguous. A very sad read with lost people searching for answers in a hidden world.
oryx's review
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
storyofus's review
4.75
An otherworldly, almost disturbing short story regarding the religion, the pursuit of God, devotion and unconditional love - I am breathless.
I have never read Chiang's works before, but now I want to read all of them forever.
I have never read Chiang's works before, but now I want to read all of them forever.
rufus666's review
5.0
Wow. It's certainly a new literary experience for me. If all those religious magic-realism stuff in Garcia Marquez's 'Hundred Years...' were to be compiled into one story universe and its logic followed to their conclusion, it would be the setting of this story.
I liked the very personal tone. You feel the conflicts and motivations of the characters immediately. In the face of assured eternity, where there's no longer doubt that heaven and hell exists, all that matters is the attitude one has. This is what I got from the story. Camus. Myth of Sisyphus.
Overall a great read. Philosophical, sad, and a sincere meditation on the issue of faith.
I liked the very personal tone. You feel the conflicts and motivations of the characters immediately. In the face of assured eternity, where there's no longer doubt that heaven and hell exists, all that matters is the attitude one has. This is what I got from the story. Camus. Myth of Sisyphus.
Overall a great read. Philosophical, sad, and a sincere meditation on the issue of faith.
nicole_rietveld's review
adventurous
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
mmimi's review
5.0
so this is another short story that i have no idea how i feel about, only that i recommend it
life_of_karrot's review
4.0
4/5
Difficult to rate something that is so subjective to its reader's own religious beliefs. Neil Fisk is a recent widower, whose wife died painfully during an angel visitation before her soul ascended to Heaven. He now seeks Heaven over Hell, which many souls are destined for and seems not dissimilar to the mortal plane. A similar visitation gave legs back to formerly disabled motivational speaker Janice Reilly, and she is followed by Ethan Mead who always believed he would have a higher purpose.
The force of nature like descriptions alongside names of different angel visitations creates a realistic description of such biblical events, albeit in stark contrast to what general audiences may expect. Chiang admirably tries to touch upon the idea of God through constant discussion around finding faith, different motivations for praying and general approaches to living with visitations in Hell is The Absence of God. However, the powerful stream of consciousness conclusion ties this idea together, and was personally as satisfying and disatisfying as one could expect when describing an indescribable phenomena. However, not every reader may feel the same.
Difficult to rate something that is so subjective to its reader's own religious beliefs. Neil Fisk is a recent widower, whose wife died painfully during an angel visitation before her soul ascended to Heaven. He now seeks Heaven over Hell, which many souls are destined for and seems not dissimilar to the mortal plane. A similar visitation gave legs back to formerly disabled motivational speaker Janice Reilly, and she is followed by Ethan Mead who always believed he would have a higher purpose.
The force of nature like descriptions alongside names of different angel visitations creates a realistic description of such biblical events, albeit in stark contrast to what general audiences may expect. Chiang admirably tries to touch upon the idea of God through constant discussion around finding faith, different motivations for praying and general approaches to living with visitations in Hell is The Absence of God. However, the powerful stream of consciousness conclusion ties this idea together, and was personally as satisfying and disatisfying as one could expect when describing an indescribable phenomena. However, not every reader may feel the same.