
I bought Sinopticon after reading editor/translator Xueting Christine Ni excellent 2024 Sinophagia and like that amazing collection this one didn't disappoint either (obviously Xueting Christine Ni now joins the category for me of will read anything with her name on it) . Also don't be concerned if you aren't familiar with Chinese culture or history that you won't enjoy these stories. I know very little and these stories still resonated with me.
There are 13 stories all worthwhile and those I choose to highlight are more a personal choice than any literary criteria. As a fan of the zombie genre Flower of the Other Shore was as beautiful love story that shows the genre can still provide new stories. As a westerner who had the great good fortune to be in mainland China during a Qingming Festival I really felt The Great Migration, by Ma Boyong. Also The last Save by Gu Shi is what great science fiction is built on a single idea explored to its ultimate conclusion.
Like Sinophagia the stories end with a notes about the author’s background and context on the story. The only drawback is it meant I went down rabbit holes to find the other works by the author mentioned in the notes. Also the balance of authors gender and new and established authors is a mix other anthologies would do well to follow.
I bought Sinopticon after reading editor/translator Xueting Christine Ni excellent 2024 Sinophagia and like that amazing collection this one didn't disappoint either (obviously Xueting Christine Ni now joins the category for me of will read anything with her name on it) . Also don't be concerned if you aren't familiar with Chinese culture or history that you won't enjoy these stories. I know very little and these stories still resonated with me.
There are 13 stories all worthwhile and those I choose to highlight are more a personal choice than any literary criteria. As a fan of the zombie genre Flower of the Other Shore was as beautiful love story that shows the genre can still provide new stories. As a westerner who had the great good fortune to be in mainland China during a Qingming Festival I really felt The Great Migration, by Ma Boyong. Also The last Save by Gu Shi is what great science fiction is built on a single idea explored to its ultimate conclusion.
Like Sinophagia the stories end with a notes about the author’s background and context on the story. The only drawback is it meant I went down rabbit holes to find the other works by the author mentioned in the notes. Also the balance of authors gender and new and established authors is a mix other anthologies would do well to follow.