Reviews: Uncommon Type (14)

A collection of short stories written by Tom Hanks...Yes! THAT Tom Hanks.
Whether you are going to this collection cynical or excited based on the celebrity writing this fiction, I can tell you the writing is wonderful.
I know that in real life Tom Hanks collects typewriters and each of these short tales involve a different typewriter of some sort (some characters and typewriters do make repeat appearances) whether they are a main part of the story (like the lady who buys a broken typewriter at a yard sale) or just a passing background character you get Tom's passion of the written word and love of these antique and disappearing items.
The stories range from going to the moon, moving house, surfing and in different styles too; script, newspaper column 1st and 3rd person all executed with finesse. So I know Tom Hanks CAN write (and he writes well), the only question I am left with is: Did he use those typewriters to write the stories on?

The first piece of fiction from the incredible Tom Hanks will hopefully be the first of many. His writing is as unique as he is, and reading these stories I felt a real connection to the author. Despite a common thread surrounding typewriters, he effortlessly brings together a wide range of themes from immigrants coming to America to futuristic space travel to a game of bowling. The stories are touching, humorous and reach all parts of the human condition.

Even without the Big Name author, this is a masterful collection of short stories and deserves to be read by all.

An interesting series of short stories, there is a gentle sense of humour running through his observations of humanity. This is not a man who just performs, he also pays close attention to the world around him.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, I’ve often said I’m not really one for short stories so I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed this. As with most of the world, I am a big Tom Hanks fan, he comes across as such a nice, lovely person and his films are always superb. I feel like I know him a little better now after reading ‘Uncommon Type’. You can truly hear his voice in every single story and it’s a voice that suits story telling fantastically.

These stories are about the everyday, they are about relationships, they are about being human and making mistakes. Each one is a snapshot of life and told with heart. You can easily believe that they have been inspired by the variety of people Tom Hanks must have met during his lifetime. They have one thing in common – typewriters. Every tale features one in some way and I love that. The stories all begin with a gorgeous photo of the typewriter mentioned and they illustrate how beautiful these machines are. It’s easy to see why Tom Hanks has such a penchant for them.
Although I enjoyed each and every story – there were a few stand outs for me. ‘Christmas Eve 1953’ we meet a war veteran, Virgil, who is settling down to enjoy a family Christmas, every Christmas Eve he makes a phone call to a fellow veteran. I found this story extremely touching and quite emotional, on the surface it seems that Virgil has put the war behind him but his yearly phone calls reveal a very different story.

‘A Month On Greene Street’ a newly divorced woman sets up a new home for her and her children, we spend a month with her as she adjusts to her new life and tries to put her heartbreak in the past and look to the future. In ‘Who’s Whos’ we’re in New York 1978 meeting Susan Gliebe, struggling actress discovering that she may have been disillusioned about an actor’s life in the big apple. You can’t help but feel for Susan, everyday pounding the pavement to find THAT job that will kick start her career. This story paints a very real picture of New York and you definitely get a sense that Tom Hanks knows exactly what Susan feels.

This is a book I can whole heartedly recommend and I sincerely hope we see more of Tom Hanks’ writing. Full of emotion, full of wit, full of true life, ‘Uncommon Type’ is a book to savour and enjoy, one gorgeous page at a time.

Perfect. Such a light book to read. The stories are so real its a pleasure to read them. Tom Hanks did a great job!

The first thing to notice about Uncommon Type, is the wonderful tie in of a different typewriter in each story. Hanks' description of the sounds and workings of the typewriters certainly depict a certain vintage flare.

Some of the stories in this collection are absolutely fantastic, and the majority focus on character study. The Past Is Important To Us was undoubtedly my favourite, posing similarities to Phillip K. Dick's Electric Dreams. Unfortunately, not all captured my imagination like this one, and I felt that sometimes I didn't quite understand what they were trying to say (if anything at all). I came away from most thinking 'that was nice', but not a lot more than that.

The beauty of a collection is being able to pick out your favourites to revisit!

Tom Hanks, as an actor, is agreed to be very good. Double Oscar winner, with lots of other awards to his name, and the star of some of the biggest, and best-loved, films of the past three decades he is a household name. He’s a real celebrity but one with talent and, it appears, principles and plenty of human warmth. All this is apparent in this collection of short stories – in fact I could hear Hanks’ voice in my head as I read them (usually a good sign for me and, it seems, Hanks himself as he reads the audio book version…). Some stories connect to the world of Hollywood actors, which Hanks obviously knows well, but also that of immigrant workers, teen surfers and recently divorced mums. Hanks’ strength as an actor has, for me, always been his ability to be an everyman figure – someone we can all easily identify with – so it is interesting that this extends to his more purely verbal storytelling.

I liked these stories because, as well as being well-written, they are very reminiscent of the kind of films Hanks is involved with. Some romance, some laughs, some heartbreak: no explosions. If you prefer something full of high-speed car chases, special effects and blood then this may not be for you: if you spent the whole of Apollo 13 on the edge of your seat (even though you know how it ends) then give it a try.

I was very very keen to get hold of a copy of Tom Hanks's short stories, so i am very grateful to have received a copy from the publishers to review.
Tom's passion for words is obvious through out these 17 short stories. The stories are all individual but Tom's voice can be heard in each and everyone. Hanks has shown himself to be highly observant of the detail of everyday life.
I found each such a joy to consume and I hope he continues to write more.

Tom Hanks, Hollywood's Mr Nice Guy, has proved with this collection of short stories that he can write as well as act! His skill with words is like his acting: professional, faultless and true to type of the gentleman Mr Hanks is (pardon the pun!)
If you're not sure of what title to buy a bibliophile friend or relative for Christmas, I don't think they would be disappointed to find this in their stocking.
I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys the genre of short fiction, and I hope we shall see more of Mr Hanks' written work in the future.
Excellent!

Great to be able to get a signed copy while living in the sticks! I can’t comment on the book itself as it is a gift so I haven’t read it.

A lovely collection of short stories, full of humour and real life.
As we know the sound of his voice, it's as if he is reading it to you as you read it.
Look forward to any future books from him.

Oh this was good. There are some superb stories here, the war story was one of my favourites but they are all very enjoyable. The writing is excellent throughout and Hanks' ability as a storyteller is very impressive. More please.