Fiction

Uncommon Type: Some Stories

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Background

Uncommon Type is a collection of seventeen short stories written by actor Tom Hanks and published in 2017. Each story revolves around the theme of typewriters, but they cover a wide range of topics such as love, fame, relationships, and death.

Uncommon Type
Uncommon Type

My Comments

I really enjoyed the book. The stories good down as an easy read and I found I didn’t get bored but would prefer to plow on. Each story is loosely connected by Mr. Hanks’ signature Americana feel. His clean cut, boy next door persona was contrasted by the strong language. For some reason, I wasn’t expecting that.

Also, throughout the stories, in a supporting role, was a typewriter. There was enough romancing of typewriters in this book, it almost made me want to go out and buy one. I did learn how to type on them but I was more than happy to give up the clack for the soft glow of a computer screen.

Recommendations

I believe if you like Tom Hanks, you will like the book. I love Tom Hanks and so I loved the book.

The Screwtape Letters

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Background

C.S. Lewis wrote The Screwtape Letters well before I was born. They are a collection of letters from Screwtape (a demon in hell’s administration office) to his wayward nephew Wormwood. Wormwood is given charge of a man on earth and despite Screwtape’s ‘advice’, loses him to salvation.

The Screwtape Letters
The Screwtape Letters

My thoughts

I first read this about 25 years ago. I remember it putting me in a bad mood. I felt very carnal minded after I read it. I think I wasn’t quite up the challenge of understanding what was really being said by Lewis. (Perhaps I needed a few years behind me…)

I really enjoyed the read this time. Of course, much of Screwtape’s advice is meant to be taken opposite from what he said but there were some real truths given. So much of this world is taken for granted. So much of my comforts and relative ease come so easily as to be forgotten where they came from.

I came away from this book wanting to be a better man. There isn’t much more I can ask for…

Recommendation

Even if you are a hormone stricken teenager (like I was the first time I’d read this), I would encourage everyone to read this book. It is not only witty and contains a good story, it will also given you things to think about for years to come.