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michelle_reads_'s review
lighthearted
mysterious
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
2.0
evelix's review
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
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? N/A
3.25
elishaslibrary's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
nightlungs's review against another edition
5.0
No weak spots, just a stunning ensemble of excellent excellent weird short stories. The superior genre.
remusloopylupin's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
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? It's complicated
3.5
nina_reads_books's review against another edition
5.0
This collection was simply incredible. Tan’s writing is very clever, supremely creative and just a little bit weird! There were also many moments of humour.
The book includes 20 stories with ever more intriguing names such as “A Girl Is Sitting on a Unicorn in the Middle of a Shopping Centre”, “Mounting Sexual Tension Between Two Long-Time Friends; Tom Knows that Ant is a Spy but Ant Doesn’t”, “Ron Swanson’s Stencilled ‘Stache” and “You Put the U in Utopia (or, The last Neko Atsume Player in the World)”.
Many if not all of the stories are set in the future or imagine a very different world to our own but each present very relatable human emotions and responses.
In the story which gives the collection its name – “Smart Ovens for Lonely People” - the main character is assigned a talking oven after a suicide attempt. The oven tells her she doesn’t have to be sorry anymore. In “Page & Co. Genuine Scribe Era Stationary Pty Ltd.” stationary products are now rare and rarely used. A biro given to a homeless man has an unexpected effect.
I really enjoyed all the stories – they were poignant and clever in their weirdness. Elizabeth Tan is definitely a writer of talent and I’m keen to seek out her earlier work. If you like your writing a touch on the bizarre side I do recommend checking out Smart Ovens for Lonely People.
The book includes 20 stories with ever more intriguing names such as “A Girl Is Sitting on a Unicorn in the Middle of a Shopping Centre”, “Mounting Sexual Tension Between Two Long-Time Friends; Tom Knows that Ant is a Spy but Ant Doesn’t”, “Ron Swanson’s Stencilled ‘Stache” and “You Put the U in Utopia (or, The last Neko Atsume Player in the World)”.
Many if not all of the stories are set in the future or imagine a very different world to our own but each present very relatable human emotions and responses.
In the story which gives the collection its name – “Smart Ovens for Lonely People” - the main character is assigned a talking oven after a suicide attempt. The oven tells her she doesn’t have to be sorry anymore. In “Page & Co. Genuine Scribe Era Stationary Pty Ltd.” stationary products are now rare and rarely used. A biro given to a homeless man has an unexpected effect.
I really enjoyed all the stories – they were poignant and clever in their weirdness. Elizabeth Tan is definitely a writer of talent and I’m keen to seek out her earlier work. If you like your writing a touch on the bizarre side I do recommend checking out Smart Ovens for Lonely People.
molly43's review
adventurous
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- 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
3.0
elnechnntt's review against another edition
3.0
I wanted so much to be thrilled by this collection and there were a couple of standouts ~ the titular story being a particular favourite.
I hate myself for not loving this but it just was not for me.
I hate myself for not loving this but it just was not for me.
roster's review against another edition
I'd've finished it but at the time, I could only afford the sample e-book at the google play store, so that's as far as I'd got.