kell's review
3.0
Some of the most interesting sci-fi speculative ideas I've encountered, but often the somewhat dry execution and (in some cases) almost "academic" writing style didn't quite work for me.
For me, the strongest story was "Anxiety is the Dizziness of Freedom", which I'd personally love to see adapted into a filmed miniseries. Every story left me saying, "what an interesting concept," and those concepts continue to tumble around in my brain after I've finished reading.
For me, the strongest story was "Anxiety is the Dizziness of Freedom", which I'd personally love to see adapted into a filmed miniseries. Every story left me saying, "what an interesting concept," and those concepts continue to tumble around in my brain after I've finished reading.
sambora's review against another edition
4.0
Thank you to Pan Macmillan and Picador for the proof copy of Ted Chiang's newest collection; Exhalation.
This is Chiang's second collection, with nine short stories total, two of which are exclusive to this publication.
I feel as though most people interested in this title will have already read the first collection; 'Stories Of Your Life And Others' but I have yet to read it, so this review is from someone new to Ted Chiang's work.
I do not have a huge wealth of short story reading experience, but I am coming to really enjoy the format and Exhalation has really helped cement that for me.
As a new Ted Chiang reader these stories struck me as a perfect blend of Iain M. Banks' imagination, early Black Mirror style plots and a brutal and minimalistic brilliance of the written word that I now recognise truly as Chiang's own.
I was originally going to review this story by story but I don't think that would do it justice. My favourite stories, and the ones that stood out the most to me, were the first three;
*all spoiler-free*
1) The Merchant and The Alchemist's Gate:
A story with a strong, but somewhat ambiguous, moral. A realistic and fresh use of time travel, with very human characters that felt very honest.
"My journey to the past had changed nothing, but what I had learned had changed everything, and I understood that it could not have been otherwise."
____________
2) Exhalation:
A brilliantly crafted alternate universe story.
It captures and tells us about the death of a society running off the air pressure found within the planet. I felt this really succeeded in, deliberately or not, capturing the struggles we humans are facing with global warming and climate change.
"Contemplate the marvel that is existence, and rejoice that you are able to do so."
____________
3) What's Expected Of Us:
The story itself is a very short message sent back in time to tell us that free will has be proven not to exist but, despite that already being a common belief, the actual hard PROOF has destroyed some people's ability to cope with life.
"It's essential that you behave as if your decisions matter, even though you know they don't.
The reality isn't important; what's important is your belief."
___________
The other stories were brilliant and engaging, these were just my personal favourites.
Overall a really fantastic collection. My attention DID wane slightly toward the end as the stories grew a little longer. After such a quick fire beginning, the longer stories, however much I still appreciate the content, felt a tad drawn out.
I am certainly looking forward to going back and checking out Chiang's previous works.
Thank you again to Pan Macmillan and Picador for the proof copy.
This collection, Exhalation, will be available on the 11th July.
Thank you for reading my review and feel free to follow me for more new and upcoming SF/F reviews!
This is Chiang's second collection, with nine short stories total, two of which are exclusive to this publication.
I feel as though most people interested in this title will have already read the first collection; 'Stories Of Your Life And Others' but I have yet to read it, so this review is from someone new to Ted Chiang's work.
I do not have a huge wealth of short story reading experience, but I am coming to really enjoy the format and Exhalation has really helped cement that for me.
As a new Ted Chiang reader these stories struck me as a perfect blend of Iain M. Banks' imagination, early Black Mirror style plots and a brutal and minimalistic brilliance of the written word that I now recognise truly as Chiang's own.
I was originally going to review this story by story but I don't think that would do it justice. My favourite stories, and the ones that stood out the most to me, were the first three;
*all spoiler-free*
1) The Merchant and The Alchemist's Gate:
A story with a strong, but somewhat ambiguous, moral. A realistic and fresh use of time travel, with very human characters that felt very honest.
"My journey to the past had changed nothing, but what I had learned had changed everything, and I understood that it could not have been otherwise."
____________
2) Exhalation:
A brilliantly crafted alternate universe story.
It captures and tells us about the death of a society running off the air pressure found within the planet. I felt this really succeeded in, deliberately or not, capturing the struggles we humans are facing with global warming and climate change.
"Contemplate the marvel that is existence, and rejoice that you are able to do so."
____________
3) What's Expected Of Us:
The story itself is a very short message sent back in time to tell us that free will has be proven not to exist but, despite that already being a common belief, the actual hard PROOF has destroyed some people's ability to cope with life.
"It's essential that you behave as if your decisions matter, even though you know they don't.
The reality isn't important; what's important is your belief."
___________
The other stories were brilliant and engaging, these were just my personal favourites.
Overall a really fantastic collection. My attention DID wane slightly toward the end as the stories grew a little longer. After such a quick fire beginning, the longer stories, however much I still appreciate the content, felt a tad drawn out.
I am certainly looking forward to going back and checking out Chiang's previous works.
Thank you again to Pan Macmillan and Picador for the proof copy.
This collection, Exhalation, will be available on the 11th July.
Thank you for reading my review and feel free to follow me for more new and upcoming SF/F reviews!
lucialater's review
4.25
awesome. favorite stories: the lifecycle of software objects, exhalation, omphalos
bearcave's review
adventurous
challenging
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
christalnoel's review against another edition
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
rajaxar1's review
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
abroadwell's review against another edition
4.0
This is a wonderful book, composed of several short stories. The first short story, The Merchant and the Alchemist's Gate, is one of the best I've ever read. I only give this book 4 stars instead of 5 because I was not too fond of the final story, Anxiety is the Dizziness of Freedom.
jelmervdl's review against another edition
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
imani18fb4's review against another edition
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
These are some of the most brilliant sci-fi stories I’ve had the pleasure of reading. Ted Chiang’s writing is beautiful, and his explorations of what the world might look like if certain theories or assumptions were true are profound and even mind-boggling, in the best way possible.