F. G Paci

What can I write about Talk About God and Other Stories by F.G. Paci? I guess the first thing I will write is this book is definitely not for everyone. Paci has a wonderful writing style that draws the reader in, but the stories are what will distance readers. In fact, I believe he touches a bit on this in his 8th story- "The Author's Anxiety at the Book Launch." This story gets a bit meta as it is about an author at a reading. The author is reading his new book about an author who is afraid to speak about his new book. The audience just doesn't get what he is doing in the story or in the book. There might be a bit of truth there.

This is a book of 8 short stories. It begins with a reader boot camp, done in the style of a drill instructor instructing readers how to read and ends with the story mentioned above.

Like all short story collection, there will be some that connect. I especially enjoyed Talk About God, where an atheist struggles with his thoughts on the divine after an accident and Chef for All Reasons was an interesting read, as a chef struggles with his family as he is also losing his cooking show because he focuses too much on zen and drops Buddhist sayings into his cooking lessons. There were also some stories that miss connection. For me, I couldn't connect with Rousseau's Children or Philosophy for Idiots. I will also acknowledge it is one's taste in stories that makes the difference.

Paci has a wonderful writing style though when he hits and one can see a great writer throughout the stories. As stated though, this will not be for every reader. I think fans of Paci will gravitate toward him or readers looking for something a bit different will also go for it.

I rated this one 3.5 stars.

I received this ebook for free from NetGalley. It was a readers proof and may not be the same in final form. I did not have to give a positive review, but do have to notify the reader how I received the book.… (plus d'informations)