A review by rdhk
Creative Types: And Other Stories by Tom Bissell

emotional reflective tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I went into this volume of short stories not expecting much—so much literary short fiction is unbearably pretentious. This book has the most sparkling prose, conversations bursting with wit and discomfort, and horribly messed up, fascinating characters. As an international lawyer, the fictionalised narrative about one of the authors of the infamous "torture memos" was like a trainwreck—I couldn't tear my eyes away. The book manages to be deeply tense and moody without being dreary. Ten on ten!