The Singing Hills Cycle is GREAT (Series Review)

What is history?
The simple answers is history is what has happened in the past.
But it's more complicated than that.
Because history isn't just what has happened, it's what is recorded to have happened.
All events that are remembered and preserved in some authentic form constitute the historical record.
Because we can't know for certain what has happened in the past because we weren't there.
Which is why finding multiple reputable source about what has happened is so important. If one person says your wife cheated on you you can ignore them. But if everyone is saying they say her at the park with your pool boy you better get a lawyer.
History is a story and whoever is telling that can heavily influence the lessons and values that story teaches.
Things like tone, point of view, and the values of the storyteller paints that story in a different light.
These might seem like some complicated ideas but other series I've encounter discussions these ideas in as approachable way as the Singing Hills Cycle.
We don't really care about awards on but this ongoing series has won multiply awards, including a hugo in 2021.
Critics love it academic talk about how masterful it is but nobody is really talking about it on Booktube... and that's a shame.
Nghi Vo crafted something special with this series.
The Singing Hills Cycle
By Nghi Vo
They take place in a southeast Asian inspired setting and they follow Chih, a monk of the Singing Hills.
A sect of monks whose main purpose is to gather information and record history.
Doesn't sound that exciting but damnit These books are compelling. These books aren't about action, they are about revelations.
Throughout this series of standalones Chih encounters people who introduce facts and point of view that affect the narrative of historical events.
Very approachable
Vo writes well
Magical realism
Can be read in any order
Minimal world building
Good pacing
Likable protagonist
They're good palate cleansers and you can take breaks between reading without missing out
I love this series because I a big history nerd and there are few things greater than learning about a little factoid about history that makes everything fall into place.