Nine Cuts

by Audrey Chin

Shortlisted for the Singapore Literature Prize 2016 for English Fiction

Audrey Chin writes to share her world, imaginary and otherwise. In this anthology, she offers the beating hearts of a cannibal picking up a ghoul at Tekka market, a Vietnamese–American grieving in Alaska, an HDB cleaner’s love for her brother and his 4D-predicting dragon fish, a District 10 teenager coming to grips with her Catholic grandfather’s legacy... Poignant slices of heart — tender, done and spoiled.

Genres: Short Stories, Fiction

102 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 2015

Reviews

[Tamara✨ · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't hate this book but I also didn't love it. Most of the stories are either sad or a bit spooky, which obviously makes sense when you take into consideration what the title of the anthology is and the cover art. It definitely helps to understand or relate to the stories more if you understand the cultural context in which they come from, that is to say, if you have either lived in or been to Singapore, you're likely to feel more while reading this.

That being said, I don't think people who've never been to Singapore or what not will not be able to read and understand this book!! It just might help a bit more that's all.

Anyway, long review short, it was a good little anthology with some good shorts and some that confused me more than intrigued me. Not really ideal for someone who is kinda always morose or someone who is Not In A Good Place mentally, but maybe it could help them come to terms with their issues...? WHO KNOWS. But I do know that I can't quite decide if I should part with my copy or keep it..

https://hercommonplaceblog.wordpress....

[Billie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nine Cuts comprised of many short stories filled with both reality and fantasy. As much as I enjoyed Chin's writing style and her way with words, I am not one for such short stories. The short stories each had so much potential but with it being a short story, they were kept short and therefore caused a series of questions in me. Nonetheless, this is definitely not a bad read. It is just a read for acquired tastes.

[Isabelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was certainly an interesting read, super unique and never like anything I've ever read before. The stories were short and easy to read but left me quite confused; a little context would have helped. The concept of the book 3 stories being tender, 3 stories being well done and 3 stories being spoiled is intriguing and plays well into the general idea of the short stories. I don't think that this is a book for everyone but for me, I enjoyed reading it!

[Eunice Ying Ci · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Dragon Fish was my favourite and it made me laugh. The Hit, A Lover of Story, The Watcher are also particularly memorable. Would love to see these made into short films. They were peculiar, surprising, bold, and utterly refreshing. I reckon I have a love for extremities since the stories I like are either tender or spoiled, none of them very palatable well done. :)

[Brook · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yow. These stories are sharp, sad, and often hilarious. There’s a lot of heart here, and I really want to read Audrey Chin more. Also yay for butch hawkers trying to hang out with trans lady sex workers.

[Ryu · Rating 2 out of 5]

Another case of: it's not you-- it's me.

[Paco · Rating 3 out of 5]

Brief and effective short stories. Very well-constructed snapshots, like instat photos, showing scenes of Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, the US and the Netherlands. The author does a fantastic job of revealing very slowly, almost cryptically, what is happenning in the story. It is like randomly solving a puzzle. When in the end the whole scene can be seen, it is at times unsettling, at times pedestrian, but always possessing an intrinsic, strange beauty. Unfortunately, some of the stories seem to lack punch, or the final scene discovered may be a bit disappointing. Audrey Chin is a fantastic craftswoman with words, uses them with rythm and precision to paint these scenes bit by bit. Liked it.

[jean · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 STARS.