A really well-written short story about literomancy, racism and the revolution against Communism in Taiwan.Ĥ stars – this story about a camera being able to capture a person into a simulation of a particular moment was deeply affecting. I think if I’ve not read quite a few other great short stories with a similar theme, this would have had even more of an impact.Ĥ stars – an imaginative and though-provoking narrative on the transformation of the world from old magic (supernatural) to new magic (technology).Ĥ.5 stars – wow, this was beautiful and brutally sad in equal measure. Amazon, Facebook, Google are pretty much synonymous with vast data sharing, 24/7 surveillance and consumer targeting algorithms. Objects that truly represent the aura of the person whose soul it contains.Ĥ stars – a relevant story about how internet giants are taking over our lives. These allegories drawn from alien manifestations are still completely relatable to human beings.Ĥ.5 stars – what an original and emotional story about souls being represented by inanimate objects. I’m in awe with Ken Liu’s mind on crafting this brilliant narrative about the various methods of creating and consuming books. Below are my brief thoughts right after I finished each one.ĥ stars – such an inventive, profound and thought-provoking piece. It was my intention to read Paper Menagerie and Other Stories slowly no more than a story a day. Our minds managed to touch, if but briefly and imperfectly.ĭoes the thought not make the universe seem just a bit kinder, a bit brighter, a bit warmer and more human? … And yet, whatever has been lost in translation in the long journey of my thoughts through the maze of civilization to your mind, I think you do understand me, and you think you do understand me. “Every act of communication is a miracle of translation. I’ve highlighted at least half of it because it was so well-written. Liu’s writing is utterly beautiful and profound, and one can clearly see how talented and intelligent this author is just from reading his preface to the collection. In my opinion, the preface alone warrants at least a 5-star and an award. His translation for two of Cixin Liu’s books in the Remembrance of Earth’s Past trilogy was excellent and I’ve heard a lot of great things about the titular short story of this collection. I’ve been meaning to read Ken Liu’s first collection of short stories for a quite a while. Published: March 2016 by Gallery/Saga Press (US) and Head of Zeus (UK)

Genre: Science fiction, fantasy, magic realism, dystopian The Paper Menagerie and Other Stories by Ken Liu

The paper menagerie and other stories