Customer Reviews

Dialogues in Paradise

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This series of short stories is a total departure from the norm of realistic writing by Chinese authors. The entire set of stories can be viewed as dreams, many of which have elements from prior stories.

She seems fascinated by birds and insects, as they are common elements. Though 'dark' in nature, the dreams are more surreal than nightmare. Each has that disconnect from the rational that is common to those stories we tell ourselves while we sleep.

Not as enjoyable as her "Five Spice Street"; this will appeal to those wanting to read her earlier writing or those looking for work from China that doesn't fit the mold.

I had to read this "short" story for my high school sophomore honors english class a few months ago. We were studying literature with non-Western characteristics. Such as the plot line, which was not the Aristotle mountain (rising action, falling action). Months later, I am still remembering lines and sections from this book. Can Xue's writing has affected not only my own writing, but my outlook on other literature, poetry, and art. I would definitly call this book abstract, beautiful and worth owning.