Dan Buri's "Pieces Like Pottery"

Title: Inspiring Emotion

“Pieces Like Pottery” by Dan Buri

Reviewed by M. Windholtz

8/15/16

12:07 am

In this collection of short stories and lyrical poems, author Dan Buri evokes powerful emotions from sorrow to love. The fictional pieces propose profound notions in simple surroundings, like the fallout after a son’s death in “The Graveyard,” or in the bonds forged late at night at a bar in “Twenty-Two.”

Each story is well-edited and has an interesting premise. Although at times peppered with clichés, each story is filled with casual, carefully-scribed details that draw the readers in, even for a short amount of pages.

However, the collection does come with its faults. Moments that could be enriched with description are instead left with blanket statements, falling into a pattern of telling over showing. At times, Buri seems more focused on finding stories for his profound thoughts instead of having moments of profound thought appear in his stories. This makes some stories drag, with insights coming off as forced and fake; some reflections, however, have just the right balance.

The story collection is generally enjoyable, but “Twenty-Two” and “Expect Dragon” truly reveal the skill of the author. “Twenty-Two” stands out from the other stories because it succeeds in implanting new ideas in readers’ minds while telling a captivating tale. It leaves the reader near to tears as it shows, rather than tells, a story of redemption that startles the reader with its conclusion.

The profound views that define the collection work best in “Expect Dragons,” the story of a student visiting his dying teacher. Large parts of the story are reflections and memories as the student goes on an hours-long road trip to be by his teacher’s side. Interlaced among his life’s anecdotes are words of advice from the teacher, their meanings connected skillfully to the stories he shares.

It is really these aforementioned tales that elevate the collection above and beyond and make it a thoroughly worthwhile read for anyone looking for some extra thought in their minds.

I give “Pieces Like Pottery” 4 out of 5 stars.

Yours in Words,

M. Windholtz