Book Review: A Map of the World by Zev Good

Yet again, I’ve been reading a collection of short stories, and this was something very special.

First of all, I don’t really know how to describe this, or the stories. If I was to put a genre on it, I don’t know, maybe I’d call them dramas. Family dramas, or romantic dramas. That’s at least something they all have in common, but then again, they’re so more than that.

I’d argue that what Good writes about, is people. His stories are all about people, and they’re absolutely amazing stories at that. I feel like I need to hammer this point through (because if I was on the other side of this, I don’t think I’d find stories about people very exciting), but these are absolutely terrific stories, every single one of them. There’s just something about the way Good describes relationships, hope and dreams, worries and anxiety, it… I don’t even know. It’s magnificent.

And his writing is so unique. I don’t mean his stories, but the way he uses his words. Again, I’m at a loss for words. I don’t know what to call it. I remember in one story, instead of describing what various people looked like, he kept mentioning the names of every single one of them, in a very matter-of-factly way, like: “and his name was Thomas.” It was such a innovative way of describing all these people he writes about that I just sat there staring for few moments.

There’s something about his writing that just got to me. Something that popped out of the page for me, so I just had to keep going. I don’t know how he does it, but this is what good writing – and good reading – should do to you.

I’m absolutely sold on Zev Good’s writing, and A Map of The World is a terrific collection of short stories. I didn’t think I’d like this as much as I did, which just means that it’s incredible. Highly recommended.

You can check it out here.