Uncommon Type proves that two-time Oscar winner Tom Hanks is as talented a writer as he is an actor.

The 17 stories in the book are linked by one thing: in each of them, a typewriter plays a part, sometimes minor, sometimes central. To many, typewriters represent a level of craftsmanship, beauty and individuality that is harder and harder to find in the modern world. In his stories, Hanks gracefully reaches that typewriter-worthy level.

Stephen Fry, as it turns out, is a fan:

Mr Hanks turns out to be as authentically genuine a Writer with as capital a W as ever touched a typewriter key. The stories in Uncommon Type range from the hilarious to the deeply touching. They move in period, location and manner, but all demonstrate a joy in writing, a pleasure in communicating an intensely American sense of atmosphere, friendship, life and family that is every bit as smart, engaging and humane as the man himself. All with that extra quality of keenly observant and sympathetic intelligence that has always set Tom Hanks apart. I blink, bubble and boggle in amazed admiration.

Click on the link above for more about the book!

 

Categories Fiction International

Tags New books New releases Penguin Random House SA Short Stories Stephen Fry Tom Hanks Uncommon Type