Rate this book

Seen Reading (2012)

by Julie Wilson(Favorite Author)

3.31 of 5 Votes: 1

ISBN

1554810795 (ISBN13: 9781554810796)

languge

English

genre

Fiction

publisher

Freehand Books

review 1: I love the premise of this book, create stories inspired by people you spy reading on public transit. The stories are short and either blunt or merely hint at the hidden lives of the subjects. Some are quite moving, and remind me of one of my favourites World's Shortest Stories edited by Steve Moss. My objection, or perhaps my disappointment is that the stories aren't more related to the books being read. My own bias of judging people by the books they are reading didn't play out in the stories, so it is my preconception that spoiled this for me.
review 2: 5/5 for concept & 4/5 for execution. This book is a kind of handbook/manifesto for curious people. Basically, if you've ever wondered about the lives of strangers sharing a subway car with you, you can pro... morebably relate. I was a bit skeptical about the "poetic short fiction" concept at first, but Julie Wilson pulls it off, and without feeling forced. She captures some really true moments, and her humour is subtle and just-right. Just one quibble — I'm not a huge fan of present-tense prose (something you see a lot in new Canadian fiction for some reason, or is that just me?), and that got a bit distracting at times. But I'm just nitpicking, the book was great. less

Download links for: Seen Reading

Advertising