Uncommon Type

I really wanted to like this collection because I really like Tom Hanks (to the degree that I'd honestly break up with someone if they didn't, and don't trust anyone who says they don't like Forrest Gump). Honestly, it didn't even cross my mind that this book would be bad. Seriously, didn't consider that prospect. That's how much I respect Tom Hanks. But the truth is... this book kind of sucked. Really sucked. Was a tick short of insufferable.

I hate to say it (Tom, if you're reading, please know I've lost NO respect for you as an actor), but every story was pretty cliche. It felt like snippets of movies he's been in, each playing into common tropes and themes and ending in seemingly random places that had no emotional weight. I would finish a story and, each time, think “Oh... so that's it?” (Incidentally, exactly how I felt at the end of The Terminal — which I still watch every time I catch it on tv). The writing isn't bad, by any means. He's a fine writer. The dialogue isn't too shabby. He experimented with different styles, none more or less successful than the others. Characters feel fairly realistic (again, in a taken-from-the-big-screen kind of way). There's just no punch. Short stories need a punch. So all said and done... Tom should stick to the movies.

I really wanted to love this, as in movies, I'm a huge fan of Tom Hanks. It's clear he has ability when it comes to the written word. His characters were believeable, and felt like they came from somewhere. Unfortunately though, there wasn't a lot to them. They all had the same speech patterns in the end, and were mostly bland and uninteresting. Hopefully he keeps at it though, and grows his craft like we know he can. If he can bring his writing up to where his acting is. We are in for a treat.