This collection took me a while to warm to, but the language of symbolism, the reinterpretation of a story suggested by objects, won me over. ( )

Yoons writing envelops the reader in a quiet mood. The sentences are simple but the paragraphs are evocative. Each of these stories is cast in a different setting, but the settings are relevant only because of the protagonists' perceptions of them----just enough setting to orient us to the characters' experience. Each is rich with themes of loss and yearning but those feelings are evoked, not stated outright, and much is left unstated but nevertheless conveyed. Thus the reader's emotional engagement is at the forefront of the story, superseding the plot.
I had the same experience with his novel, the Snow Hunter. I was deeply moved, and I couldn't really explain how he did it. A master ( )

Reading this collection of short stories was--well, it was an experience, and not one that I can say I particularly enjoyed. I will give Yoon credit for being able to create an atmosphere that completely draws you in to each story and overwhelms you. But at the end of every one but the last, I ended up feeling empty and depressed. It was exhausting to read of people living empty, lonely lives, accepting violence, hunger, loss, addiction, pain, exploitation, and poverty as if these were the expected norm. Perhaps they are for many people, and I feel badly for them; perhaps Yoon meant these stories to be a call to action. In any case, I was glad to come to the end, and I need to search my TBRs for something a bit more fun or uplifting, something that doesn't keep banging on the same depressing note on every page. I'm not one who always wants a happy ending; in fact, I often find them boring and unbelievable. But this book just plain exhausted me. I am emotionally worn out. ( )

I really enjoyed the writing in this short story collection. The writing is spare, often stark, and affecting. The stories deal mainly with how people carry on following a tragedy, whether from the aftermath of war, illness or a death in the family. The stories have a melancholy feel, but they are also beautiful in how they highlight the resilience of people. Highly recommend! ( )

Reading this collection of short stories was--well, it was an experience, and not one that I can say I particularly enjoyed. I will give Yoon credit for being able to create an atmosphere that completely draws you in to each story and overwhelms you. But at the end of every one but the last, I ended up feeling empty and depressed. It was exhausting to read of people living empty, lonely lives, accepting violence, hunger, loss, addiction, pain, exploitation, and poverty as if these were the expected norm. Perhaps they are for many people, and I feel badly for the characters; perhaps Yoon meant these stories to be a call to action. In any case, I was glad to come to the end, and I need to search my TBRs for something a bit more fun or uplifting, something that doesn't keep banging on the same depressing note on every page. I'm not one who always wants a happy ending; in fact, I often find them boring and unbelievable. But this book just plain exhausted me. I am emotionally worn out. ( )