shelbyroo's review against another edition
5.0
Really cool collection. Some are better than others, but all have a lyrical and foggy whimsy like that of a very strange dream.
jelliestars's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
slow-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? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Animal death, Animal cruelty, and Injury/injury detail
Moderate: Gore and Blood
Minor: Violence, Grief, Colonisation, Alcohol, Homophobia, Infidelity, Lesbophobia, War, Chronic illness, Mental illness, and Racism
The graphic content warning tags are really only for one story, “Are you Sannata3159?”tony_t's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
medium-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
5.0
A wonderful and varied collection of stories that completely and marvelously lives up to the promise of the title - “Ambiguity Machines”. Vandana Singh has joined my collection of contemporary scifi writers most of whom are women and all of whom display a comprehensive mastery of their take on the genre. These stories are mystical rather than martial and rely more on the characters involved than the technology they use. Most highly recommended.
czidya's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
akpd's review against another edition
4.0
This book is important because it was lent to me by a friend who thought Vandana Singh is Bengali (we never resolved the reason behind this impression - the first story? - and emphatically concluded that Singh's research is just very good). I'm grateful for having been lent a physical copy of the book itself because I don't think I would have finished it otherwise (Kindle books all look the same, and there is something about a friend lending you their own beloved copy: "Take care of my baby!").
It's that, and the fact that I've discovered a way (many ways) of being through these stories. Though I haven't always enjoyed the style (my deep-seated squeamishness thanks to a certain kind of "training" in literature?), there's an honesty and a deep sensitivity to them. "Oblivion: A Journey", "Are you Sannata3159?", and "Rumination in an Alien Tongue" broke (through) me. And as they did so, I learnt to like the writing for itself too. This is important.
There is a way when disciplinary boundaries are broken, and Singh does that. She does that in a way that makes the term "disciplinary boundaries" itself seem suspect. This is probably the most important thing I take away from the book, and I'm grateful for this. If I ever look back and see this time in my life as being devoted to unlearning (is that why I'm away from academia?), this book will have been important (I already feel it is).
It's that, and the fact that I've discovered a way (many ways) of being through these stories. Though I haven't always enjoyed the style (my deep-seated squeamishness thanks to a certain kind of "training" in literature?), there's an honesty and a deep sensitivity to them. "Oblivion: A Journey", "Are you Sannata3159?", and "Rumination in an Alien Tongue" broke (through) me. And as they did so, I learnt to like the writing for itself too. This is important.
There is a way when disciplinary boundaries are broken, and Singh does that. She does that in a way that makes the term "disciplinary boundaries" itself seem suspect. This is probably the most important thing I take away from the book, and I'm grateful for this. If I ever look back and see this time in my life as being devoted to unlearning (is that why I'm away from academia?), this book will have been important (I already feel it is).
jenna0010's review against another edition
2.0
These stories were quite lovely and sad and tender. Quantum Physics is cool and also beautiful.
teddywanderlust's review against another edition
5.0
Изключително приятни разкази; като разходки в чужда глава/митология.
daylark's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
slow-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? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, and Death
Minor: Cannibalism