A review by typewriter
Exhalation by Ted Chiang

challenging reflective

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

These stories were very thought-provoking and meticulously written, and I understand why they have achieved their present popularity and acclaim. My favourites were The Merchant and the Alchemist's Gate and Anxiety is the Dizziness of Freedom. My main issue with this collection is that the writing style at times so emphasized the mundanity of the characters' lives and was so plain that I felt a bit like I was reading an essay or an article; the thought experiments presented are clearly the focus of each story, to the point where the characters feel a bit secondary and plain. Still very interesting food for thought though.