This is a very interesting project initiated by Zadie Smith, the editor of this collection of short stories and herself a writer renowned for her novel "White Teeth".
All 23 contributors to the book wrote stories about fictional individuals respectively and they wrote for free. All proceeds from the sale of the book go to a charity training children aged 6-18 to become writers.
Some of the writers are literary heavyweights while others are newcomers. Their writing styles and ideas vary, and the book presents a diversified and eclectic collection of themes and plots.
The title of each story is the name of the protagonist of the tale, and the stories are arranged in alphabetical order of the names. Judith Castle by David Mitchell, my favourite writer, is the first story, and that one is a really good read. Other stories that I like include:
Frank by A. L. Kennedy
Gideon by ZZ Packer
Lele by Edwidge Danticat
The Liar by Aleksandar Hemon
Nigora by Adam Thirlwell
Puppy by George Saunders
Soleil by Vendela Vida
Roy Spivey by Miranda July
Cindy Stubenstock by A. M. Homes
Theo by Dave Eggers
Perkus Tooth by Jonathan Lethem
Donal Webster by Colm Toibin
This collection is an eye-opener as I have never known there are so many obscure but talented writers out there.
...Continua
