Review: Literary Fiction for EVERYONE!
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 02 23, 2013
Let's face it, literary fiction has a bad reputation.  Some people see it as dry, as meaningless, as boring, as overrun with metaphor and description, as actionless.  They say, "What's the point?"No one will say any of those things about Joe Bunting's "Hands!" This short story is rich in both description and metaphor, but in a relatable, concrete way.  The language is rich, but smooth.  You'll find yourself surrounded by imagery, but you won't drown in it; you won't lose your way in it.  Instead, you'll glide through it, enjoying the melody Bunting creates with his words.I think some will read this story and find it sad.  I didn't.  I walked away from this story feeling hopeful. One of the themes is downsizing, being satisfied with less, not in a material sense, but in a creative, spiritual, idealistic sense.  This theme was echoed throughout the story, but most powerfully when the old man was discussing race--he illustrated his feelings about the last election perfectly--and again, at the end when he played a simple, remembered melody on the piano.  Beautiful work with that, Joe.The one pause moment I found in the story was during supper when the old man was sharing his feelings about race and the election.  It went a little long without enough of a break from his dinner companions.  I think something was needed, maybe a question form someone, some sort of pause to let the reader breathe and process.  This didn't take away from the story--it was a stylistic choice--but it did make me pause.The bottom line:  I love Joe Bunting because he makes writing accessible to everyone.  This is true at his website where he encourages and teaches writers of all levels, and it is also true of his fiction.  Quality literary fiction for the masses!  Read this story!  You won't be disappointed.