Uncommon Type - Tom Hanks

Typically when you see a book with an famous non-author as the author, you are expecting a memoir or essays or something. Imagine my surprise to find out that Tom Hanks, in Uncommon Type, has put together a collection of short fiction. And he does a Yeoman's job of it. Each story includes some kind of typewriter that serves to tie all the stories together. 

If you're looking for edgy subjects and delivery, you probably forgot Tom Hanks wrote these. But they are definitely entertaining. One set of recurring stories follows four friends, the narrator, who's name I don't remember, an energetic driven woman, Anna, and two Home Depot employees MDash, who's just become an American citizen, and Steve Wong, possibly the best bowler on the face of the planet. These were possibly my favorite stories in the collection and I loved that two more stories turned up after the first I enjoyed so much. 

I also enjoyed, "Go see Costas" a story of an immigrant from war-torn Bulgaria making his way to America on a Greek ship and trying to absorb into the backdrop of New York City. There was also an amusing story of an eccentric billionaire venturing to the backroads and finding a motel with a lot of vacancy but two very funny managers. 

Technically sound, these stories come from someone who probably thinks about stories all day long and has had a huge part in making characters come to life. That he was able to do so in this collection is no real surprise after you get over the initial shock that he spent his time doing it.

3.57/5 Stars.