4YON
"It is in the most surreal situations that a person feels the most present, the closest to reality."
3.5✩/5★
This was my first dive into Ling Ma's work, and while I found her ideas and stories intriguing, the writing style left me with mixed feelings.
Ma has a unique narrative style, jumping between timelines and fragmented moments, which reminds me of Christopher Nolan's experimentation with time in films. This could be captivating in a novel, but in short stories, it often felt disorienting. In some cases, like "Orange," "G," and "Returning," the fragmented glimpses were masterfully executed, building tension and leading to satisfying conclusions. However, in others, like "Yeti Lovemaking," the constant jumps of thoughts resulted in a scattered, unfinished feel.
Despite the inconsistency, the flashes of brilliance in "Orange," "G," and "Returning" showcase Ma's ability as a writer that knows well about their own craft. I personally feel like her unique narrative style might be better suited for longer formats like novels, where the non-linear structure has more space to breathe. Overall, while not every story in "Bliss Montage" landed, the collection's intriguing ideas make me curious to see what Ma does next.
"It is in the most surreal situations that a person feels the most present, the closest to reality."
3.5✩/5★
This was my first dive into Ling Ma's work, and while I found her ideas and stories intriguing, the writing style left me with mixed feelings.
Ma has a unique narrative style, jumping between timelines and fragmented moments, which reminds me of Christopher Nolan's experimentation with time in films. This could be captivating in a novel, but in short stories, it often felt disorienting. In some cases, like "Orange," "G," and "Returning," the fragmented glimpses were masterfully executed, building tension and leading to satisfying conclusions. However, in others, like "Yeti Lovemaking," the constant jumps of thoughts resulted in a scattered, unfinished feel.
Despite the inconsistency, the flashes of brilliance in "Orange," "G," and "Returning" showcase Ma's ability as a writer that knows well about their own craft. I personally feel like her unique narrative style might be better suited for longer formats like novels, where the non-linear structure has more space to breathe. Overall, while not every story in "Bliss Montage" landed, the collection's intriguing ideas make me curious to see what Ma does next.