Malazan Empire: BOOK CLUB: Strange Beasts of China by Jeremy Tiang and Yan Ge - Malazan Empire

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BOOK CLUB: Strange Beasts of China by Jeremy Tiang and Yan Ge

#21 User is offline   Abyss 

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Posted 27 February 2023 - 04:01 PM

Ch 8 - Prime Beasts

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#22 User is offline   Abyss 

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Posted 07 March 2023 - 08:48 PM

Ch 9 - returning beasts, and conclusion

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Overall, i enjoyed reading (eari'ng) this book. It was VERY different from my usual reads and that worked nicely for me., I wouldn't go out of my way to find something similar in the near future, but i would read this author or a similar Chinese author in the future based on this.
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#23 User is offline   TheRetiredBridgeburner 

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Posted 09 March 2023 - 03:41 PM

Chapters 1-3, part way through Chapter 4.

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#24 User is offline   Slow Ben 

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Posted 09 March 2023 - 03:50 PM

View PostTheRetiredBridgeburner, on 09 March 2023 - 03:41 PM, said:

Chapters 1-3, part way through Chapter 4.

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Same. I’m intrigued and it’s interesting. Still not sure if I’m enjoying it or not yet.
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#25 User is offline   TheRetiredBridgeburner 

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Posted 10 March 2023 - 07:11 AM

View PostAbyss, on 22 February 2023 - 02:42 PM, said:

Ch 7.... Heartsick Beasts

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I'm really glad this confused someone else. I was wondering what the point I was clearly missing was!

This post has been edited by TheRetiredBridgeburner: 10 March 2023 - 07:11 AM

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#26 User is offline   Abyss 

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Posted 10 March 2023 - 07:12 PM

View PostTheRetiredBridgeburner, on 10 March 2023 - 07:11 AM, said:

View PostAbyss, on 22 February 2023 - 02:42 PM, said:

Ch 7.... Heartsick Beasts

Spoiler



I'm really glad this confused someone else. I was wondering what the point I was clearly missing was!


Something that's bothering me about this book is that I'm uncertain how much of this sort of thing is due to author's intent vs translation issues.
It's not DNF level, but having finished it part of me wishes I could read the original version to figure that out.
....to be fair, that part of me also thinks 3am is a good time to read 'one more chapter's... he's kind of an idiot.
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#27 User is offline   TheRetiredBridgeburner 

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Posted 12 March 2023 - 09:28 AM

View PostAbyss, on 10 March 2023 - 07:12 PM, said:

View PostTheRetiredBridgeburner, on 10 March 2023 - 07:11 AM, said:

View PostAbyss, on 22 February 2023 - 02:42 PM, said:

Ch 7.... Heartsick Beasts

Spoiler



I'm really glad this confused someone else. I was wondering what the point I was clearly missing was!


Something that's bothering me about this book is that I'm uncertain how much of this sort of thing is due to author's intent vs translation issues.
It's not DNF level, but having finished it part of me wishes I could read the original version to figure that out.
....to be fair, that part of me also thinks 3am is a good time to read 'one more chapter's... he's kind of an idiot.


Finished it last night and I get you, I feel the same. There definitely seemed to be some unnecessary vagueness that may have been deliberate or a result of translation issues.

Overall, it was good to read something really different though - good recommendation ;)
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#28 User is offline   Macros 

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Posted 16 March 2023 - 08:30 AM

Read it two days ago, anything spoilery is spoilered, overall, great pick of a book, something I likely would never have read


Reading prompts:

What do you think of the authors writing?

Having not read anything else by the author, I don't know if the style was adopted for this particular book or this is them full time.
I think they nailed it for this book, it suits perfectly as a rambling journal of a short story serialist

What do you think of the books story and plot?

The short story elements of it are woven together excellently to form the overall narrative, and whilst on the surface the feel of it is aimless in the beginning, once the plot takes shape its handled and delivered... masterfully

What are the characters like? Who's your favorite? Who's your least favorite?

Spoiler


Are there any books you would compare this book to? Any you would recommend?


Nothing I've come across no

Did the book surprise you or disappoint you? Give us examples.

I did not know what to expect, after being a bit baffled at the start this little book was a delight.
Spoiler


Is there any memorable quotes?

Would you recommend this book to others?


Yes

Did you like the book overall?

Yes

Where do you find the Strange Beasts?

In the toilet
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#29 User is offline   Aptorian 

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Posted 22 March 2023 - 05:06 AM

View PostTheRetiredBridgeburner, on 10 March 2023 - 07:11 AM, said:

View PostAbyss, on 22 February 2023 - 02:42 PM, said:

Ch 7.... Heartsick Beasts

Spoiler



I'm really glad this confused someone else. I was wondering what the point I was clearly missing was!


Been neglecting reading because I'm super busy at work and my brain turns to mush when I get home.

But I have picked this book up on the commute the past week. I've just started the heartsick chapter.

This really is a strange book in a way I appreciate. Everything feels slightly dreamy, like it's part early 20th century, part 22nd century. Everywhere it seems like there's a hidden tragedy or horror story lurking under the surface.

I'm not sure how much of this is just due to the difference in Asian and Western culture, perspectives, folklore or what is going on. But it certainly makes for a different kind of read.
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#30 User is offline   Abyss 

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Posted 22 March 2023 - 01:48 PM

View PostAptorian, on 22 March 2023 - 05:06 AM, said:

... it certainly makes for a different kind of read.


Very much agreed.
When i picked up this book i knew exactly two things: 1. the author was Chinese and 2. it involved cryptids somehow.
I was in a 'i should read something different from my usual fantasy epics and milSF shootemups' state of brainz and it seemed to fit, was about to start it when book club was looking for suggestions, so i'm glad this has evolved into a mostly positive shared experience sort of thing for the forum clubbies.
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#31 User is offline   Aptorian 

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Posted 04 April 2023 - 04:47 PM

Finally got around to finishing this. I got really busy at work for a while, and may have gotten obsessed with a mobile game on the commute... But now I'm done.

Really like this book, despite not really feeling it's a page turner. There's a melancholy sadness and hopelessness to the telling and the city the story takes place in. It kind of makes you weary after finishing a chapter.

I like that the book isn't just more western urban fantasy but instead something weirder with an Eastern theme. I was less thrilled with how the authors place in the telling changes over time. I preferred the opening chapters when it's less personal. Like old school news paper Reporting. I like the romantic ideal of a news paper writer, who spends their day tracking down stories and spending their nights getting drunk at their local watering hole.

On to Fellowship of the Ring.
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