Reviews

The Merchant and the Alchemist's Gate by Ted Chiang

hakimbriki's review against another edition

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4.0

Daniel Faraday (from the acclaimed TV series Lost) once said : "Whatever happened, happened!".
Ted Chiang is a master storyteller. His narrative skills and ideas are nothing short of amazing. I am so grateful to Goodreads for introducing me to such a remarkable author!
In this mesmerizing short story Ted Chiang takes us on a journey through time (no pun intended) ... and space! I thoroughly enjoyed the ride and was satisfied with the (very touching) ending.
4.5/5.

rlcrecs's review

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adventurous mysterious reflective 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? No

4.5

sarahlreadseverything's review against another edition

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5.0

Fantastic in so many ways. I listened to the audio-reading, available here http://www.starshipsofa.com/2008/03/23/aural-delights-no-15-ted-chiang/

andrepithon's review against another edition

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2.0

Bingo de Fantasia/Sci-Fi 2023
3.2: Oriente Médio

Eu gosto de alguns contos de Ted Chiang, e eu amo Inception, facilmente na posição de um dos meus filmes preferidos (mas claramente atrás do top 1 eterno, La La Land). Um pouco maior que um conto, mas consideravelmente menor que uma novela, "O mercador e o Portão do Alquimista" é um grande monte de nada.

Você não pode mudar o passado nem o futuro. Legal. Tem algo a mais? Alguma torcida engraçada na trama? Algum momento emocionalmente doloroso? Não? Só histórias curtas genéricas meio vazias meio repetitivas que não dizem nada além do mais básico dos conceitos? Uma ambientação árabe que não realmente importa pra narrativa?

What's Expected of Us, que li para o bingo do ano passado, pega parte dos mesmo conceitos (Livre arbítrio, ou a inexistência dele) e usa de forma inteligente. Aqui, o martelo espanca a mesma tecla vez após vez, "nada vai mudar, aprenda a aceitar, isso aí, Allah te abençoe". Difícil uma obra tão curta carregar tanta entediante repetitividade.

sepha's review

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adventurous funny hopeful reflective

jacqw8's review against another edition

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5.0

how deterministic is life? is the future set in stone? if you knew the future, could you change the future?

liambetts's review against another edition

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5.0

One of my favorite short stories, I read it a while ago but reread it today.

nigellicus's review against another edition

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adventurous mysterious

5.0

Time twisting story that takes on the question of whether's there's any point to anything if the past can't be changed. No, thats not quite right. You can't change the past... or can you? That's closer. Great story. Subtle, its ideas carefully explored, like all the other Chiang stories I've read.

mjoyced's review against another edition

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5.0

I couldn't say exactly what it was about this story that made me so happy from the first line of the book to the last. The way it's written is so similar to Arabian Nights that it must be partially nostalgia. But it's themes on morality and truth were also captivating and thoughtful. And putting a sci-fi concept in this old middle eastern world and story is so unique. I've been thinking about it all month and will still have to think some more to figure out why I love it.

jmoses's review against another edition

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4.0

A short, poignant tale.