Review: Thought provoking and introspective
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 04 22, 2014
This is probably one of the hardest reviews I have ever had to write. Why, because if there were ever a story to throw my BD out of whack, it would be this one. What began as a very thought-provoking piece about what goes on inside the head of a man while sitting on a train ended with me wanting to throw my kindle against the wall.I lived in Japan for 2  years and during that time I spent a LOT of time on the train. In addition to being the easiest way to get from point A to point B in a major metropolitan area, it is also an easy way to learn the language, and just generally watch people and get a feel for the culture around you. Often times I would find myself amused or puzzled by people on the train, whether it be because of their interaction (or lack thereof) with other people, or simply by the interesting things they might be wearing or reading, you can learn a lot about people when you share a train car with them for any length of time.I can imagine it is only more so as a single person. I wouldn’t know, I’ve been married for nearly half of my life so my thoughts on the train have never crossed over into those of a sexual or nature, but I have seen those who have had those thoughts around me. It’s easy to wonder about someone’s life story; where they work, or if they are single or attached. Single people taking the train could have different motives than married or attached people; it is something I never really had thought of until I read this short story. Zack (Sorry, normally I’m far more formal but I just feel funny referring to him as Mr. Love…queue the porn music!) did an excellent job of getting inside the narrators head. All of his life experiences had an influence on how he saw this woman and the story he fabricated in his head of whom she might be.Zack is an excellent writer. I was immediately sucked into this story and before I had reached the end, I engaged my husband in a conversation about it because it really was very thought provoking. My training is in anthropology so I am an observer by nature; perhaps that is why I found this so intriguing. The piece was well written, captivating, and I loved it. Until the end.Then.I.Hated.It.It seemed like such a cop out of an ending! It really felt like maybe he just got tired of writing, it seemed like such an easy way out. I wanted more, Zack. Why did you have to end it like that? Now I’m left wondering how on earth I should rate it, because it was five stars, right up until that last page and then you pulled the rug out from under me. So, I am going to go with four stars. Or maybe I should drop a bombshell right at the. Very. End.