An odd structure for the book (explained in the afterword - crowd-sourced) - short stories intended to explain a complex, stratified, but not rigid society to aliens (humans). The stories are very short, and few of them are individually satisfying, but they do form a semi-connected narrative about the Calligrapher who is nominally writing it, as well as illuminating his society. Fascinating world-building. And now I need the rest of the series, of course... ( )

These aphorisms are a collection of moments from the life of the Calligrapher, an alien being who is well aware humans exist and now translates his world for our benefit. Each chapter is a self-contained moral pondering, showcasing a small problem or particular moment within the Ai-Naidar's utopian society. I found the aphorisms a pleasure to read one at a time, as lovely, philosophical bites of brain food to be savoured whenever I had ten or fiften idle minutes.

When Ai-Naidar society didn't meet my storytelling expectations — such as when an ominous situation is quickly and easily resolved — I took it as a prompt to question my storytelling expectations. Humans, man. We expect fights all the time. So I enjoyed this collection and it worked well with my view of non-human societies — but this book should definitely be approached with an open mind. ( )