I am planning on reading this book soon. Expect a review from me very soon!
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Vagabonds | 
I am planning on reading this book soon. Expect a review from me very soon!
#bookspin #september list!
LET'S GO!!
@thearomaofbooks
pickA pick, but will not be for everyone. A sprawling & intricate exploration of structure vs agency & communalism vs individualism. It meanders, but is also quite compelling. At heart, however, this book is a reflection & meditation on contemporary China - the bewildering future facing younger generations & the inevitability of history repeating itself. Without that specific national context as a lens for the reader, the book would lose all focus.
Still enjoying Vagabonds! As I was reading I was reminded of Le Guin's 'The Dispossessed' in terms of the structure & themes of the book. That led me down an internet rabbit hole, where I stumbled on this fascinating article (link in comments).
I teach a Youth & Pop Culture in Asia class & use some of Liu's short story & essay translations - I'm really grateful that he has been so active in bringing Chinese Sci Fi to English-speaking readers.
I‘ve wanted to read this for a long time & I‘m so glad it has been translated! Like the other contemporary Chinese science fiction I have read recently, it is very much idea-driven & self-consciously intellectual in tone & style. The above passage is representative of what the reader can expect. So far, I find this tendency intriguing rather than off-putting & I‘m eager to see where the author takes her characters.
These are my Tailored Book Recommendations from Bookriot and they all look good. I hope to get to at least one of them soon 😍😍😍
pickVagabonds is an extended allegory about the current state of Chinese social development, and Chinese-American relations. Very thoughtful but slow-moving book that is crammed with ideas. The book was interesting, and I‘m glad I read it, but I wouldn‘t rush to recommend it outside of fans of Chinese science fiction, or fans of the amazing translator Ken Liu (effectively the same people).
pickVagabonds is set in 2201 when Mars has been colonized and there recently has been a war between Earth and Mars. A group of Martian young people were sent to live on Earth for five years and are now returning to Mars. If you are looking for sci-fi with space ship battles and non-stop action, this is not for you. Vagabonds is for those who love politics and philosophy. It is a beautifully written, introspective and thought provoking book.
