World's End and the Sea Angle
In this unique novel, graduate students David and Emily feel an instant connection from their first meeting at the University of Colorado at Boulder. David, the son of Italian and Irish parents, and Chinese student Emily share a sweet and passionate love. "This converging of their souls was sweet and mellow, which made them excited and intoxicated." As they get to know each other, they discover how much they have in common through extended philosophical conversations about a plethora of subjects. The two discuss such ideas as interracial relationships of personal, political, and societal natures. They also have long discussions on philosophy, art, aliens, the nature and meaning of life, and the universe, to name but a few of the many subjects they explore. The book concludes with a poignant story about Wuhan, China.
"Their deep love had kindled their love for the entire world and all its people. This love was the noblest of human emotions."
Not only is this the story of David and Emily's love, but it is also a time travel fantasy in which David is transported to the distant past, and both are propelled into the future. The intense conversations between David and Emily are certainly an interesting technique to present the theories and ideas in the book. The many philosophical ideas brought to light are fascinating explorations of both ancient and modern thought. From genetics to ecology, there is no shortage of topics in these talks. Still, these discussion sections flow a bit unevenly and at times seem forced to get the point across. However, the book contains so much information on history and philosophy that it could be considered a good teaching tool for those wanting to understand the subjects discussed. The last section about Wuhan is riveting with much information about the coronavirus. Lovers of fantasy with a philosophical twist will likely find this a work of interest.
Book Review
By Kat Kennedy
https://theusreview.com/reviews-1/Worlds-End-and-the-Sea-Angle-by-Yank-Shi.html#.Y1MZu3ZBwdU
Title: World’s End and the Sea Angle
Author: Yank Shi
Publisher: Book Baby
ISBN: 978-1098359607
Genre: Science Fiction / Fantasy / Romance
Pages: 300
Reviewed by: Lily Amanda
World’s End and the Sea Angle by Yank Shi is a wholesome, piercing romance novel, which welcomes readers to the glow and flow of love and romance blossoming between two students from two different cultures; A kind and soft-spoken Eastern girl Jin Li, who has quickly fallen in love with a White student in the same university and who openly shares the same feelings as her.
A restless David, who is charmed by Li’s beauty and splendor, makes the first move, opening the two to a world no one knew of, with numerous visits and exploration of magnificent sites and environments. Their easy-flowing love story quickly takes a sharp turn when a jealous, drunk, and depressed female student shocks Jin Li with information that she is David’s girlfriend. David’s misery upon Li questioning their relationship is followed by a mysterious turn of events when a tragic accident transports him into an unfamiliar and pre-historic world with primeval creatures, leaving him confused, scared, and determined to go back to the world he is familiar with.
Several supernatural travels expose readers to different cultures, times/centuries, experiences, and information leaving readers flabbergasted by the vast knowledge the author exhibits. Throughout the pages, one cannot help but notice the author’s passion for the sanctity of the environment, pollution, and human civilization where he wistfully incorporates deep geographical knowledge and insight into a love story, an element that adeptly elevates this text.
Author Shi also employs a rich dialogue between the two characters to demystify what has become a tilting question to many all over the world: “Is there a Creator?” She also allows her readers to meet and interact with a rather unique character, who introduces both David and Jin Li to alien knowledge and history. Through it, the author manages to answer questions like “Do aliens exist?” “Do they fall in love?” and “What’s the nature of their civilization?”
The text greatly advocates for humanity, wisdom, love, and kindness as the key elements to human co-existence as illustrated from the beginning to the end of this read. In a world which is revolving around nuclear power, war threats, insecurity, and uncertainty, Shi manages to paint a picture of the effects of a nuclear war bringing the readers to the conclusion that rationality must be exercised to preserve human civilization evoking a desire that the simulated “world-end” in this book is certainly not something anyone would want.
World’s End and the Sea Angle by Yank Shi is one of those books you go back to, to dig up the nuances that you may have missed in the first reading. A true gem!
