Description
Fiction. Literature. Short Stories. HTML:A collection of seventeen wonderful short stories showing that two-time Oscar winner Tom Hanks is as talented a writer as he is an actor. A gentle Eastern European immigrant arrives in New York City after his family and his life have been torn apart by his country's civil war. A man who loves to bowl rolls a perfect game�??and then another and then another and then many more in a row until he winds up ESPN's newest celebrity, and he must decide if the combination of perfection and celebrity has ruined the thing he loves. An eccentric billionaire and his faithful executive assistant venture into America looking for acquisitions and discover a down and out motel, romance, and a bit of real life. These are just some of the tales Tom Hanks tells in this first collection of his short stories. They are surprising, intelligent, heartwarming, and, for the millions and millions of Tom Hanks fans, an absolute must-hav… (more)
Genres
Collection
Publication
Vintage (2018), Edition: Illustrated, 416 pages
User reviews
LibraryThing member OscarWilde87
Did you know that Tom Hanks was also a writer? I had not known until I found this gem in a used book store. Uncommon Type contains 17 short stories that can be read on their own. Some are loosely connected through their protagonists and all of them feature a typewriter in some capacity or other.
All of the stories provide slices of life that take you in almost instantly and make you turn the pages. I loved the writing, I loved the characters and I loved the plots of the stories. After each story I found myself hoping it would not end so soon and continue just a little more. This, however, does not subtract from the quality of the reading experience. Rather, it makes you wonder and stay in the world that was created in the stories a little longer. I really found myself rooting for some of the characters and have grown quite fond of them. I am really glad that I found this book. 5 stars.
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There is the unlikely relationship between a high-energy woman and a laid-back man, there is time traveling, there is the kid growing up after his parents separated, there are war veterans, there is the immigrant to the United States, there is a couple that owns a roadside motel in a deserted area of land, and so much more.All of the stories provide slices of life that take you in almost instantly and make you turn the pages. I loved the writing, I loved the characters and I loved the plots of the stories. After each story I found myself hoping it would not end so soon and continue just a little more. This, however, does not subtract from the quality of the reading experience. Rather, it makes you wonder and stay in the world that was created in the stories a little longer. I really found myself rooting for some of the characters and have grown quite fond of them. I am really glad that I found this book. 5 stars.
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LibraryThing member SumisBooks
Ok I know many may disagree but I did not care for this one at all. I just couldn't get in to any of the stories. So disappointing because I so very much wanted to like this book. I got about halfway through the book when I called it quits. Just couldn't do it. 😐
LibraryThing member paulmorriss
As it's a book written by someone who's good at other things I came with low expectations, and was pleasantly surprised to read some decent stories.
LibraryThing member john.cooper
In his first story collection, Tom Hanks demonstrates, to my astonishment at least, that the character he’s played in virtually every movie since Splash is actually him—earnest, but playful; witty, but never ironic; extraverted, but with self-awareness; and fundamentally optimistic. As the
He’s not going to win the Nobel Prize for Literature for these stories, but they’re far from a waste of time. If the ten-year-old’s point of view in “A Special Weekend” becomes cloying, that of a still-young veteran in 1953, providing for his family despite his physical and emotional scars, is moving. And given that Hanks has spent the last thirty years living in L.A., wealthy and famous, I was surprised by his ability to conjure the lives of ordinary people such as the divorcée in “A Month on Greene Street” and the immigrant in “Go See Costas.” If there’s a message in these stories, it’s that people in general are interesting, work crazily hard, and deserve your understanding and respect. It’s not hammered home or overdone. It’s as genuine as Tom Hanks, and, as they used to say in the ‘50s when several of these stories are set—my hat’s off to him.
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British actor Stephen Fry says on the back cover, there’s something quintessentially American about this character, something that makes Hanks the natural successor to Jimmy Stewart. In his fiction, we find also that Hanks’ admiration for the men and women who fought World War II is genuine and deep; that he really is interested in the space program; and that he’s not too golly-gee naïve to drop an f-bomb once in a while. He appears to be the real deal.He’s not going to win the Nobel Prize for Literature for these stories, but they’re far from a waste of time. If the ten-year-old’s point of view in “A Special Weekend” becomes cloying, that of a still-young veteran in 1953, providing for his family despite his physical and emotional scars, is moving. And given that Hanks has spent the last thirty years living in L.A., wealthy and famous, I was surprised by his ability to conjure the lives of ordinary people such as the divorcée in “A Month on Greene Street” and the immigrant in “Go See Costas.” If there’s a message in these stories, it’s that people in general are interesting, work crazily hard, and deserve your understanding and respect. It’s not hammered home or overdone. It’s as genuine as Tom Hanks, and, as they used to say in the ‘50s when several of these stories are set—my hat’s off to him.
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LibraryThing member jenn88
Tom Hanks has written seventeen stories all of which have at least one typewriter in them. Sadly, for me, most of these stories were VERY boring. They're long and filled with nothing memorable. I loved the first story, "Three Exhausting Weeks" which is about friends who have known each other since
I won an ARC through a Goodreads giveaway. Thank you to Knopf for my copy.
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high school who suddenly take things to the next level. I thought it was jam-packed with adventure and I did like the characters (who are in two other stories as well). And I liked "A Month on Greene Street" which is about a single mother and her three children moving into a new house and at first she thinks her neighbour is weird, desperate and unemployed and she does whatever she can to avoid him, but it turns out she was wrong about him. I found all the other stories extremely painful to get through and I'm so happy I'm done!I won an ARC through a Goodreads giveaway. Thank you to Knopf for my copy.
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LibraryThing member KateBaxter
Is there anything which Tom Hanks cannot do well?!!! Having just completed his book, "Uncommon Type", I'd say off hand that he definitely has a writing skill to fall back on, should he ever need it.
Over the course of 17 short stories - all connected with images and references to manual typewriters
I found these stories full of wit and charm and would recommend Uncommon Type to anyone feeling either nostalgic for the 50s and 60s to those who may like a bit of fanciful musings. His stories are clever, some probing deeply into the human psyche with others being purely fanciful.
I am grateful to author Tom Hanks, his publisher Penguin Random House and Goodreads First Reads for having provided me a free advance reader's edition of this book. Their generosity, however, did not influence this review - the words of which are mine alone.
Synopsis (from book's back cover):
A rocket ship constructed in a backyard takes four friends to the moon and back. A teenage surfer stumbles into his father’s secret life. A second-rate actor plunges into sudden stardom and a whirlwind press junket. A small-town newspaper columnist shares his old-fashioned views of the modern world.
These are just some of the people and situations that Tom Hanks tackles in his first work of fiction, a collection of stories that examines the human condition and all its foibles.
Known for his honesty and sensitivity as an actor, Mr. Hanks brings both those characteristics to his writing. Uncommon Type is a book that will delight readers and establish him as a welcome new voice in contemporary fiction.
Over the course of 17 short stories - all connected with images and references to manual typewriters
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( of which Mr. Hanks has an enviable collection) - our author captures the heart of the American experience. There's a playful story of space travel; a rom-com romp through mid-life; the struggles of a recent divorcée; the Korean war vets who connect every Christmas Eve wondering why they survived when others hadn't; the challenges immigrants face when fleeing from a difficult world to settle into the not-so-friendly American life; and the amusing small town paper columnist's comments on contemporary life. I found these stories full of wit and charm and would recommend Uncommon Type to anyone feeling either nostalgic for the 50s and 60s to those who may like a bit of fanciful musings. His stories are clever, some probing deeply into the human psyche with others being purely fanciful.
I am grateful to author Tom Hanks, his publisher Penguin Random House and Goodreads First Reads for having provided me a free advance reader's edition of this book. Their generosity, however, did not influence this review - the words of which are mine alone.
Synopsis (from book's back cover):
A rocket ship constructed in a backyard takes four friends to the moon and back. A teenage surfer stumbles into his father’s secret life. A second-rate actor plunges into sudden stardom and a whirlwind press junket. A small-town newspaper columnist shares his old-fashioned views of the modern world.
These are just some of the people and situations that Tom Hanks tackles in his first work of fiction, a collection of stories that examines the human condition and all its foibles.
Known for his honesty and sensitivity as an actor, Mr. Hanks brings both those characteristics to his writing. Uncommon Type is a book that will delight readers and establish him as a welcome new voice in contemporary fiction.
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LibraryThing member foggidawn
17 slice-of-life stories, some with elements of science fiction or magical realism. The collection has a feel-good tone, with moments of gentle humor as well as touches of melancholy and nostalgia. Hanks doesn't have a gift for endings; several of these stopped rather abruptly. I could pick at a
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few other things, but really, I don't want to sell these short, because this was generally a pleasant outing. Also, I listened to the audiobook -- read by the author, of course. Who doesn't want Tom Hanks to read them stories? Recommended to readers who enjoy short stories, or to fans of Tom Hanks. Show Less
LibraryThing member bookczuk
So Tom Hanks is a triple threat: Good actor, nice guy, and apparently a good writer, too. I'm not a huge short story fan, but I liked this collection, even though it made me long for the manual Underwood that I grew up with.
LibraryThing member jfe16
Although a few of the tales in this collection of seventeen short stories feature the same cast of characters, the commonality for each story in the compilation is a typewriter. Readers will find a wide variety of tales, some heartwarming, some romantic, some poignant and sad. All are about life
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and feelings and communication. Most are entertaining and offer readers an enjoyable reading experience. Show Less
LibraryThing member hemlokgang
So-so. Some of the stories better than others. I guess I had high expectations as a serious Tom Hanks fan. Perhaps he does better at delivering lines written by someone else.
LibraryThing member phoenixcomet
I truly enjoyed this volume of short stories by Tom Hanks. The stories were fun and interesting, and a pleasure to read. Several stories use the same characters and many stories contain a hint of nostalgia blended with the modern or futuristic. There are no stories that "pop", but the one titled
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"The Past is Important to Us" was creative and thought provoking for me. Another story, "These are the Meditations of My Heart" left me with an inner warmth for a bygone era. Show Less
LibraryThing member bucketofrhymes
Thanks to the publisher and goodreads for a free copy of Uncommon Type!
This is a short story collection that threw me for several loops. Firstly, because when I saw it was by Tom Hanks, I didn't realize it was that Tom Hanks. And secondly, because I hadn't realized he was such a good writer.
Short
But these stories are genuinely good. Not just good-for-being-written-by-a-famous-actor, but good. The characters are fully-formed, unique, and so interesting to read about. The style of writing is engaging. I like the voice. And, of course, the running theme of typewriters was lovely.
So, if you're into short stories and typewriters, definitely give this one a short. Don't be scared off if you're not a big Tom Hanks fan, either.
This is a short story collection that threw me for several loops. Firstly, because when I saw it was by Tom Hanks, I didn't realize it was that Tom Hanks. And secondly, because I hadn't realized he was such a good writer.
Short
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stories are really not my forte. I don't 'get' them the way I understand the narrative arc of a novel, and I'm in awe of people who can pack a punch in so few words. So, I guess that's the caveat to what I'm about to say: I don't know what I'm talking about.But these stories are genuinely good. Not just good-for-being-written-by-a-famous-actor, but good. The characters are fully-formed, unique, and so interesting to read about. The style of writing is engaging. I like the voice. And, of course, the running theme of typewriters was lovely.
So, if you're into short stories and typewriters, definitely give this one a short. Don't be scared off if you're not a big Tom Hanks fan, either.
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LibraryThing member andsoitgoes
A nice light read. Stories are written well and love the consistency of every story including a typewriter.
LibraryThing member Berly
I loved enough of these short stories to recommend the book. I thoroughly enjoyed the audio version: having Hanks bring to life his own tales was wonderful! The plots are pretty simple, but the characters and settings are colorful; many are set in the 50's and 60's. Remember to look for the
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typewriter connection in each one. (Hanks has a thing for old typewriters.) Show Less
LibraryThing member berthashaver
This was disappointing to me. I like a short story with a thought provoking theme or a message. Most of these stories did nothing for me.
LibraryThing member ethel55
I find I don't actually read a lot of short story collections, but this turned out to be perfect for a busy time at the end of the year. I liked some of the stories better than others. Maybe because of the time of year, Christmas Eve 1953 was definite favorite, plus it delved into Virgil's past.
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Some characters wound up being recurring in some stories, which I thought was interesting. And I have read about Tom Hanks and his typewriter collection, so I was pleased with the way he incorporated those machines into the various stories. Show Less
LibraryThing member sleahey
This is a well-crafted collection of short stories of varying lengths. Many feature typewriters as part of the plot, celebrating their value even in this time of more "advanced" devices. Several of the stories concern the same cast of characters, a group of 20-something aged friends. Each story is
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self-contained and satisfying, yet it's easy to imagine expanding some of them to full-length works. Show Less
LibraryThing member AmaliaGavea
"In her living room she opened the windows to get a bit of breeze. The sun had set, so the first fireflies of the evening would begin to flare in a bit. She sat on the windowsill and enjoyed the cold, shaped pineapple and watched as squirrels ran along the telephone wires, perfect sine waves with
I'm not a Hollywood fan, nor I enjoy watching films all that often. My tastes lean more on British and European Cinema. I don't read actors' biographies or books written by celebrities. However, in the case of "Uncommon Type", it's Tom Hanks we're talking about. I can't think of another actor who makes you feel as if you actually know him, as if every role of his is performed for each and every member of the audience. He is widely loved in Greece, he is widely loved everywhere and quite a few of his films are considered classics of the 7th Art. This collection of short stories is written in a simple, eloquent, flowing writing style. Humane, immediate, confessional. It is a brilliant token of the distinguished American writing, it is the voice of Tom Hanks, the Everyman, and if you don't like it, well....you need Jesus in your life.
In 17 stories, Tom Hanks creates characters out of life. The inspiration seems to be the types of New York (mainly) residents, even some of the roles he has performed in his astonishing career. Each story is embellished with the photo of a typewriter that plays a characteristic part in many of the stories. The importance and joy of writing is everywhere, the need to communicate feelings and thoughts first to ourselves and to the people around us. His themes are universal and relevant to our daily lives. Love, companionship, the errs and joys of the past, self - dignity, immigration, togetherness and a deep, acute feeling of nostalgia. A journey through the USA, with the metropolis of New York ever present, in one way or another.
So, without further ado, the 17 stories are:
‘’Three Exhausting Weeks" : Two best friends decide to become an item, but they seem to be highly incompatible. Poor guy starts feeling as if he has signed for the Olympics preparations or the NASA training. Anna is one of the most authoritative people to ever grace a book and this story is hilarious and nostalgic at the same time.
"Christmas Eve 1953": A beautiful Christmas story that takes us back to 1953 and to 1944, the D-Day, its aftermath and the wounds, physical and psychological that are inflicted upon those who survived the inferno in the shores of Normandy.
"A Junket in the City of Light" :A story about a rising Hollywood star and the ordeals coming from exhausting press junkets and over-demanding studios. Paris, during the night, provides the beautiful setting.
"Our Town Today with Hank Fiset- An Elephant in the Pressroom" : A glimpse into the conflict between the printed version of a newspaper and the coldness of reading your newspaper on a digital device.
"Welcome to Mars": A sad tale of the bonding between a father and a son, a story full of the sun, the sea and surfing.
"A Month on Greene Street" : A story set in the sleepy suburbs, during the dog days of August. A divorced mother of two starts a new life in a welcoming, peaceful neighborhood. This is a text filled with the laughter of children, the soothing early evening atmosphere, and a certain kind of hope for starting anew.
"Alan Bean Plus Four" : We revisit our unique couple of "Three Exhausting Weeks" in a story that brings "Apollo 13" to mind.
"Our Town Today with Hank Fiset- At Loose in the Big Apple" : A celebration of New York in the form of an account from our grumpy (but sweet) journalist with a tiny bit of nostalgia for a more innocent era.
"Who’s Who?" : The Big Apple is the city where dreams are supposed to come true. However, young Sue from Arizona, an aspiring actress who can act and sing and dance finds her dreams crushed all too soon. Until, a sudden appearance proves that possibly, dreams can still become reality...A beautiful story of youth and aspirations set in 1978.
"A Special Weekend" : The story of a boy who loves typewriters and airplanes, living a difficult life after the divorce of his parents. I confess that the end gave me chills...
"These Are the Meditations of My Heart" : A story of impeccable writing and immense beauty that reminded me -once again - how much I love typewriters.
"Our Town Today with Hank Fiset- Back From Back In Time" : Our favourite reporter takes a trip down memory lane escorted by his trusted typewriter.
"The Past Is Important to Us" : This story was a true surprise. A combination of Historical Fiction and Sci-fi where a scientist travels back to the 1939 for the sake of a woman. An impressive look into a potential future and a tale that shows how closely linked the past and the present actually are.
"Stay with Us" : This story is written in the form of a film script and therefore, it really flows. Departing from Las Vegas, a wealthy, kind hearted businessman and his personal assistant find themselves in the middle of nowhere and change the lives of the residents, while finding a new meaning in their own. This is a story full of happiness, camaraderie and trust.
"Go See Costas": In this story, Mr. Hanks celebrates diversity, multiculturalism and companionship, without whitewashing the problems and the fears faced by the immigrants. His love for Greece is more than well-known, and here we find Greeks, Cypriots, Bulgarians. Set in the heart of the era of immigration to New York, this story is a hymn to the abilities and persistence of hardworking people who desire a better life, without forgetting their principles and without resorting to shady means. A tale that shows that people may come from different backgrounds (economical, educational, ethnic), but these factors mean very little when we are faced with adversities. In the end, it is the heart that matters. A story that couldn't be more relevant to the chaos and conflicts of our times.
"Our Town Today with Hank Fiset- Your Evangelista, Esperanza" : The grumpy reporter gives the spotlight to Esperanza who reminds us that there is actually life without a smartphone, Facebook and the like.
"Steve Wong Is Perfect" : The last word belongs to the insane gang of the beginning and to bowling. Hilarious and nostalgic.
This is a collection to be cherished and kept as a good friend to whom we may return when in doubt and in need of a comfort. Not because the writer is named Tom Hanks and heralded as one of the finest actors to ever grace our screens. This is a book of simple, unpretentious beauty. 17 stories of people who could be our neighbours, our friends, our lovers, our parents, written in the immediacy and clarity that characterizes the majority of American Literature, a trustworthy volume like a trustworthy Royal typewriter. Let it carry you away....
Many thanks to Penguin Random House, Tom Hanks and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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their bodies and tails. Sitting there, she had her second ice pop as well, until the fireflies began to float magically above the patches of grass and sidewalk." I'm not a Hollywood fan, nor I enjoy watching films all that often. My tastes lean more on British and European Cinema. I don't read actors' biographies or books written by celebrities. However, in the case of "Uncommon Type", it's Tom Hanks we're talking about. I can't think of another actor who makes you feel as if you actually know him, as if every role of his is performed for each and every member of the audience. He is widely loved in Greece, he is widely loved everywhere and quite a few of his films are considered classics of the 7th Art. This collection of short stories is written in a simple, eloquent, flowing writing style. Humane, immediate, confessional. It is a brilliant token of the distinguished American writing, it is the voice of Tom Hanks, the Everyman, and if you don't like it, well....you need Jesus in your life.
In 17 stories, Tom Hanks creates characters out of life. The inspiration seems to be the types of New York (mainly) residents, even some of the roles he has performed in his astonishing career. Each story is embellished with the photo of a typewriter that plays a characteristic part in many of the stories. The importance and joy of writing is everywhere, the need to communicate feelings and thoughts first to ourselves and to the people around us. His themes are universal and relevant to our daily lives. Love, companionship, the errs and joys of the past, self - dignity, immigration, togetherness and a deep, acute feeling of nostalgia. A journey through the USA, with the metropolis of New York ever present, in one way or another.
So, without further ado, the 17 stories are:
‘’Three Exhausting Weeks" : Two best friends decide to become an item, but they seem to be highly incompatible. Poor guy starts feeling as if he has signed for the Olympics preparations or the NASA training. Anna is one of the most authoritative people to ever grace a book and this story is hilarious and nostalgic at the same time.
"Christmas Eve 1953": A beautiful Christmas story that takes us back to 1953 and to 1944, the D-Day, its aftermath and the wounds, physical and psychological that are inflicted upon those who survived the inferno in the shores of Normandy.
"A Junket in the City of Light" :A story about a rising Hollywood star and the ordeals coming from exhausting press junkets and over-demanding studios. Paris, during the night, provides the beautiful setting.
"Our Town Today with Hank Fiset- An Elephant in the Pressroom" : A glimpse into the conflict between the printed version of a newspaper and the coldness of reading your newspaper on a digital device.
"Welcome to Mars": A sad tale of the bonding between a father and a son, a story full of the sun, the sea and surfing.
"A Month on Greene Street" : A story set in the sleepy suburbs, during the dog days of August. A divorced mother of two starts a new life in a welcoming, peaceful neighborhood. This is a text filled with the laughter of children, the soothing early evening atmosphere, and a certain kind of hope for starting anew.
"Alan Bean Plus Four" : We revisit our unique couple of "Three Exhausting Weeks" in a story that brings "Apollo 13" to mind.
"Our Town Today with Hank Fiset- At Loose in the Big Apple" : A celebration of New York in the form of an account from our grumpy (but sweet) journalist with a tiny bit of nostalgia for a more innocent era.
"Who’s Who?" : The Big Apple is the city where dreams are supposed to come true. However, young Sue from Arizona, an aspiring actress who can act and sing and dance finds her dreams crushed all too soon. Until, a sudden appearance proves that possibly, dreams can still become reality...A beautiful story of youth and aspirations set in 1978.
"A Special Weekend" : The story of a boy who loves typewriters and airplanes, living a difficult life after the divorce of his parents. I confess that the end gave me chills...
"These Are the Meditations of My Heart" : A story of impeccable writing and immense beauty that reminded me -once again - how much I love typewriters.
"Our Town Today with Hank Fiset- Back From Back In Time" : Our favourite reporter takes a trip down memory lane escorted by his trusted typewriter.
"The Past Is Important to Us" : This story was a true surprise. A combination of Historical Fiction and Sci-fi where a scientist travels back to the 1939 for the sake of a woman. An impressive look into a potential future and a tale that shows how closely linked the past and the present actually are.
"Stay with Us" : This story is written in the form of a film script and therefore, it really flows. Departing from Las Vegas, a wealthy, kind hearted businessman and his personal assistant find themselves in the middle of nowhere and change the lives of the residents, while finding a new meaning in their own. This is a story full of happiness, camaraderie and trust.
"Go See Costas": In this story, Mr. Hanks celebrates diversity, multiculturalism and companionship, without whitewashing the problems and the fears faced by the immigrants. His love for Greece is more than well-known, and here we find Greeks, Cypriots, Bulgarians. Set in the heart of the era of immigration to New York, this story is a hymn to the abilities and persistence of hardworking people who desire a better life, without forgetting their principles and without resorting to shady means. A tale that shows that people may come from different backgrounds (economical, educational, ethnic), but these factors mean very little when we are faced with adversities. In the end, it is the heart that matters. A story that couldn't be more relevant to the chaos and conflicts of our times.
"Our Town Today with Hank Fiset- Your Evangelista, Esperanza" : The grumpy reporter gives the spotlight to Esperanza who reminds us that there is actually life without a smartphone, Facebook and the like.
"Steve Wong Is Perfect" : The last word belongs to the insane gang of the beginning and to bowling. Hilarious and nostalgic.
This is a collection to be cherished and kept as a good friend to whom we may return when in doubt and in need of a comfort. Not because the writer is named Tom Hanks and heralded as one of the finest actors to ever grace our screens. This is a book of simple, unpretentious beauty. 17 stories of people who could be our neighbours, our friends, our lovers, our parents, written in the immediacy and clarity that characterizes the majority of American Literature, a trustworthy volume like a trustworthy Royal typewriter. Let it carry you away....
Many thanks to Penguin Random House, Tom Hanks and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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LibraryThing member ecataldi
A gem of a collection, short stories varying from war stories to surfing to housewives to bowling, acting and friendships; prove that Tom Hanks is a very talented writer as well as actor. Some stories were very short and some were more moderate in length, but all were amazing and witty. I was very
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impressed, he's got a lot of tricks up his sleeve! Tom Hanks also narrates the audiobook version which is just the icing on the cake, listening to him do voices and expressions really adds to the stories. I wouldn't say these stories are "literary" per se, but they are plenty good and I look forward to seeing what Tom Hanks is up to next. Show Less
LibraryThing member bookworm12
Tom Hanks’ debut collection of short stories is tied together by one common thread. Each story touches on a wildly different topic, a new relationship with an old friend, a neighbor who explores the stars with his telescope, a trip around the moon, a boy visiting his single mother and
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experiencing his first plane ride, a young woman trying to make it as an actress in New York, a man traveling back in time who falls in love, and more. The thing they all have in common is a typewriter. Not the same typewriter, just typewriters in general. At times this gimmick succeeds, at others it feels forced. Regardless, the collection works as a whole. I always struggle with short story collections because they don’t give me a chance to sink my teeth in and get to know the characters. But it’s a wonderful way to get to know an author’s style and I was impressed with Hank’s. I was reminded of Steve Martin‘s ability to be a bit of a Renaissance man and Tom Hanks might just have the same skill. I would absolutely read more of his work. Show Less
LibraryThing member DougJ110
Some stories are good, some not so good. Three Exhausting Weeks was the standout, Welcome to Mars, the weakest. The Our Town Today with Hank Fiset vignettes were a lot of fun.
An overall 3.5 stars seems fair, especially for a writer who doesn’t write everyday for a living.
An overall 3.5 stars seems fair, especially for a writer who doesn’t write everyday for a living.
LibraryThing member feeroberts64
Uncommon Type: Some Stories by Tom Hanks is a book of short stories.
Being absolutely enamored with Tom Hanks, I had to get this book. There were several stories that I loved and some I liked, but none that I didn't. Tom has a way of telling stories that get your attention, and I could actually
Purchased from Amazon.
Being absolutely enamored with Tom Hanks, I had to get this book. There were several stories that I loved and some I liked, but none that I didn't. Tom has a way of telling stories that get your attention, and I could actually
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hear him telling these stories because these stories ARE Tom Hanks. Overall, this is a decent collection for Tom's debut. Purchased from Amazon.
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LibraryThing member kaulsu
I am not a short story fan. But some of these stories were pretty gosh darn good. (I think you have to talk like that around Hanks.) The stories all dealt with actual typewriters. The title deals with “type.” “Type of what?” you may ask. Types of people, typesetting, yes, and even type
I hope someone—his agent? His publisher? —hog ties him to his Royal, his Olympia, whatever, and makes him continue Asan’s story (into a novel or novella) in “Go See Kostas.” I kinda fell for that G space space U space space Y.
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writers. And typewriters. The cover illustration (spoiler alert?) itself is of typewriter keys. It took me a while to catch that. Yeah, I’m slow. I hope someone—his agent? His publisher? —hog ties him to his Royal, his Olympia, whatever, and makes him continue Asan’s story (into a novel or novella) in “Go See Kostas.” I kinda fell for that G space space U space space Y.
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LibraryThing member enemyanniemae
Tom Hanks is as talented a writer as he is an actor. He breathes life into mundane situations and everyday people. Some of the characters have more than one story and others only need the one. Hanks is funny and poignant and serious and observant. All of the stories are excellent.
Highly
Highly
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recommended, even for those who don't like short stories. You might change your mind. Show Less
LibraryThing member rosalita
Actor Tom Hanks has turned his real-life obsession with typewriters into a collection of short stories, each having at least a glancing mention of the original word processing machines in all their varied glory. Some of the better stories, unexpectedly, feature a typewriter as a main focus, as in
Several of the stories are connected by their characters. There are three now-adult college friends who reappear several times, including on a trip to the moon (no, really). And there is a series of crabby newspaper columns from an old geezer reporter who thinks everything was better back in the good old days when no one had a cell phone and everyone who wasn't a white man knew their place (not that the character is written as self-aware enough to figure out that last bit).
Some of the more successful entries focus on people coming to grips with broken marriages, relationships, or families, whether those people are adult women ("A Month on Greene Street") or kids young ("A Special Weekend") and not so young ("Welcome to Mars"). Probably my favorite story was "Christmas Eve 1953," which starts out as a standardly sappy Christmas story that takes a turn into poignance that elevates it above the rest.
I'm tempted to adapt that old joke: As a writer, Tom Hanks is a great actor. But really, his writing is quite good — he mentions getting some writing coaching and advice from his friend, the late Nora Ephron, and it shows. Where the collection fails is in the ideas, which are pretty thin, and not the execution. I wouldn't go out of my way to read another book by Hanks but I wouldn't actively avoid one, either.
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"These Are the Meditations of My Heart," a sweet story about a young woman finding her own feet again after a romantic breakup. Others include typewriters only in passing (in "A Junket in the City of Light," a farcical peek inside a whirlwind press tour for a wildly popular action film, they are a symbol of decadence in a Paris hotel room that includes three typewriters, one with Russian-language keys, one with French keys, and one with English keys).Several of the stories are connected by their characters. There are three now-adult college friends who reappear several times, including on a trip to the moon (no, really). And there is a series of crabby newspaper columns from an old geezer reporter who thinks everything was better back in the good old days when no one had a cell phone and everyone who wasn't a white man knew their place (not that the character is written as self-aware enough to figure out that last bit).
Some of the more successful entries focus on people coming to grips with broken marriages, relationships, or families, whether those people are adult women ("A Month on Greene Street") or kids young ("A Special Weekend") and not so young ("Welcome to Mars"). Probably my favorite story was "Christmas Eve 1953," which starts out as a standardly sappy Christmas story that takes a turn into poignance that elevates it above the rest.
I'm tempted to adapt that old joke: As a writer, Tom Hanks is a great actor. But really, his writing is quite good — he mentions getting some writing coaching and advice from his friend, the late Nora Ephron, and it shows. Where the collection fails is in the ideas, which are pretty thin, and not the execution. I wouldn't go out of my way to read another book by Hanks but I wouldn't actively avoid one, either.
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Awards
NPR: Books We Love (2017)
Original language
English
Original publication date
2017