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Review of Pieces Like Pottery



Book Name              :        Pieces Like Poetry       
Author                      :        Dan Buri
Publisher                  :       DJB Publishing
Genre                       :       Fiction
Number of Pages     :       173
Publishing Date       :       2nd October 2015
Edition                     :       Kindle
ASIN                        :       B0163NLWDQ


Rating : 4.0


Blurb
The first collection of short fiction from Dan Buri, Pieces Like Pottery is an exploration of heartbreak and redemption that announces the arrival of a new American author. In this distinct selection of stories marked by struggle and compassion, Pieces Like Pottery is a powerful examination of the sorrows of life, the strength of character, the steadfast of courage, and the resiliency of love requisite to find redemption. 

Filled with graceful insight into the human condition, each linked story presents a tale of loss and love. In Expect Dragons, James Hinri learns that his old high school teacher is dying. Wanting to tell Mr. Smith one last time how much his teaching impacted him, James drives across the country revisiting past encounters with his father's rejection and the pain of his youth. Disillusioned and losing hope, little did James know that Mr. Smith had one final lesson for him. 

In The Gravesite, Lisa and Mike's marriage hangs in the balance after the disappearance of their only son while backpacking in Thailand. Mike thinks the authorities are right—that Chris fell to his death in a hiking accident—but Lisa has her doubts. Her son was too strong to die this young, and no one can explain to her why new posts continue to appear on her son's blog. 
Twenty-Two looks in on the lives of a dock worker suffering from the guilt of a life not lived and a bartender making the best of each day, even though he can see clearly how his life should have been different. The two find their worlds collide when a past tragedy shockingly connects them. 

A collection of nine stories, each exquisitely written and charged with merciful insight into the trials of life, Pieces Like Pottery reminds us of the sorrows we all encounter in life and the kindness we receive, oftentimes from the unlikeliest of places.

My Review

Pieces like pottery is a collection of short stories. The writing style is steady and flowing. Author has evolved as a matured and responsible writer. Author tries to raise voice against the prejudices of the society. Religious cynicism, homosexuality, love, hatred, loss, death etc. are the main topics. The stories have an inherent music in them. Hence, I mistyped the name of the book as Pieces of Poetry instead of Pottery.

1. Gravesite(fifth sorrowful mystery)
It is the story of a couple who lost their teenager son to death but gets befuddled to see his post regularly in his blog. It is a beautiful story. Perfect cast, touching story line. The blog updates by Chris are just impeccably crafted. I would give five stars for this piece of poetry.

2. The dominance of nurture
This is more of a non-fiction but with a slight fictional element. Author tries to put forward the impact of theory of Dominance of nurture by Dr. Arnold Cumberson. I would not comply with the theory. External factors have an influence on kids but not to an extend that his learning disability be blamed on his parents. Society is quite receptive to cerebral palsy, dyslexia, autism, Downs syndromes or the likes. Hence, I could not quite relate with the father and son but yes, it’s difficult if your child is having such difficulty. Three stars for this story.

3. Twenty two (The fourth sorrowful mystery)
The story is about two disoriented friends. A bartender and a drunkard. Their journey through the painful realities of life. The one is a slow moving story but for some interesting scenarios. I would give four stars.

4. Breathe
   I would call it a poetry. A simple verse. Three stars
5. Expect dragons(third sorrowful mystery)
A fierce divulgence of stark realities of exploitation and discrimination in society. 4 stars

6.  Dies cum anxieta
A simple sweet mini story of a Normal family living regular lives without much twists and turns. Four stars.

7.  Father (the second sorrowful mystery)
The story of a priest Whose life went upside down after an arrest in the name of alleged child abuse. The story tells how the society continue to punish someone even after being proved innocent under law, 4.5 stars

8.  Two friends
This is a poetry. A normal one. Nothing to find fault with and nothing to beam about. Three stars

9. Ballad of love and hate first sorrowful mystery

A tale of love hate and separation. This one is a bit lagging but an interesting read at the same time. Three stars

One Liner
   A book which lingers on to the mind of the reader during the journey from one story to the other                                                        


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About the Author

Dan Buri's first collection of short fiction, Pieces Like Pottery, is an exploration of heartbreak and redemption that announces the arrival of a new American author. His writing is uniquely heartfelt and explores the depths of the human struggle and the human search for meaning in life. 

Mr. Buri's non-fiction works have been distributed online and in print, including publications in Pundit Press, Tree, Summit Avenue Review, and TC Huddle. The defunct and very well regarded Buris On The Couch, was a He-Says/She-Says blog musing on the ups and downs of marriage with his wife.

Mr. Buri is an active attorney in the Pacific Northwest and has been recognized by Intellectual Asset Magazine as one of the World's Top 300 Intellectual Property Strategists every year since 2010. He lives in Oregon with his wife and two-year-old daughter.



Reviewed for the author

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book as a complimentary copy from the Author in exchange for an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.



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