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3.38 AVERAGE
3.38 AVERAGE
I got this one on audiobook because it is narrated by the author, whose voice I would probably hear in my head as I read it anyway. I found them mostly enjoyable, though some were less interesting than others. My favorite was “The Past Is Important to Us”, in which time travel is available to a very specific time and place, the 1939 World's Fair in New York City. I liked much of the nostalgia in the book; sometimes the typewriter connection was a little flimsy or forced, but I liked the story all about choosing the right typewriter. Characters felt mostly well developed, though the three that revolved around friendships with Anna were problematic, and sometimes the nostalgia of a story outweighed any real action or meaning.
I really, really wanted to like this book of short stories. I just didn’t—even though Tom Hanks narrated it! I still love his voice.
Y'all know I love short stories, but these ones did not land with me. (Sorry to America's dad.)
emotional
informative
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Loved reading these short stories. The main reason I enjoyed them is they were just simple and peaceful to read. My favorite genre is thriller/suspense, so occasionally I need to read something like this to just refresh from some of my darker reads.
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
I wanted to keep reading more stories after it ended! 💯
I could listen to Tom Hanks read a grocery list but these were pretty bland and I have other things I’d rather be reading!
Unfortunately, I found the stories very boring.
The author has a wonderful flair with words and descriptive prose but some of the short stories seemed to lack an ending. I mean, obviously they did end, but some of the endings were anti-climatic, with A Special Weekend among the weakest story and ending.
Topics of the short stories mimic Hanks’ known interests: World War II, space (and time) travel, the entertainment industry and, of course, typewriters.
He created newspaper columnist Hank Fiset, who appears in four stories. Hank reminded me of the late Mike Royko’s Slats Grobnik. I didn’t like the device when Royko (a Pulitzer winner for commentary in 1972) used it and it was no more endearing by Hanks.
Topics of the short stories mimic Hanks’ known interests: World War II, space (and time) travel, the entertainment industry and, of course, typewriters.
He created newspaper columnist Hank Fiset, who appears in four stories. Hank reminded me of the late Mike Royko’s Slats Grobnik. I didn’t like the device when Royko (a Pulitzer winner for commentary in 1972) used it and it was no more endearing by Hanks.