Steve
On the positive side, the collection feels like an authentic representation of a culture unfamiliar to me, one imbued with a sense of magic—either just beneath the surface or woven into everyday life. There is a strong thread of magical realism running through the stories. The two standout pieces, in my opinion, are The Last Storyteller, which skillfully blends science fiction elements with cultural nuances, and The Flying Man of Stone, which leans towards a more allegorical and magical realist tone.
On the downside, most of the stories felt underdeveloped, reading more like outlines than fully fleshed-out narratives. The heavy reliance on telling rather than showing was a particular drawback for me, as were the numerous plot holes. That said, I could imagine these as fireside tales, meant to be shared aloud in the flicker of flames, where simplicity might serve their purpose. However, as satisfying reads, they didn’t quite work for me.
On the positive side, the collection feels like an authentic representation of a culture unfamiliar to me, one imbued with a sense of magic—either just beneath the surface or woven into everyday life. There is a strong thread of magical realism running through the stories. The two standout pieces, in my opinion, are The Last Storyteller, which skillfully blends science fiction elements with cultural nuances, and The Flying Man of Stone, which leans towards a more allegorical and magical realist tone.
On the downside, most of the stories felt underdeveloped, reading more like outlines than fully fleshed-out narratives. The heavy reliance on telling rather than showing was a particular drawback for me, as were the numerous plot holes. That said, I could imagine these as fireside tales, meant to be shared aloud in the flicker of flames, where simplicity might serve their purpose. However, as satisfying reads, they didn’t quite work for me.