Reviews

Smart Ovens for Lonely People by Elizabeth Tan

gillianhagenus's review

5.0

There is almost too much to say in praise of this book. One could be forgiven for thinking that Elizabeth Tan invented the short story form, she is that much a master of it. Every story does something fresh with the form that I haven't encountered the likes of before. Tan throws the rule book of narrative out the window and it is a beautiful rebellion. Tan's mind is a quirky and baffling landscape full of talking ovens and cats and B52 references. The collection is set in some undefined near future, a magical real, surreal foray that asks you to just run with it, run with all of it and let it soak you up and dissect you and prod at your marrow to get at what's hidden there, hidden even from yourself. Each of these stories, as the title merely slightly suggests, communicates some form of profound loneliness that hits you right in your centre of gravity and yet somehow the word 'uplifting' would not be out of place here. I will never not be thinking about the stories in this book. I am, quite simply, in awe.

divulged_in_worlds18's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny informative inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense

eklbooks's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark funny lighthearted mysterious reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

claudiamcpot's review

lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• 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

cranberrythehatchet's review against another edition

5.0

One of my favourite short story collections of all time.

blairmahoney's review

4.0

Quirky stories; really didn't like a few of them but most resonated.

talsbookedits's review against another edition

funny hopeful informative inspiring reflective relaxing sad medium-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

catson's review

challenging reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

innerweststreetlibrarian's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark funny lighthearted 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? It's complicated

5.0

This collection is fantastic! It took a long time to read as I needed thinking time between each story.  Some are very dark, others are very funny, still others are whimsical and quite peculiar.
I’ve seen it described as being magical realism but there’s some definite techno horror sci fi vibes as well, the team from Black Mirror could easily adapt a few of these and they’d fit right in. There’s also a strong voice throughout that is decidedly West Australian, Asian Australian, female, millennial, and maybe a bit queer, and it is very refreshing to have that perspective applied in this way. So much fun! Definitely worth seeking out! 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Mental illness, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, and Suicide attempt

Minor: Death, Misogyny, and Racism

emr158's review against another edition

emotional funny reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5