Review: Pieces Like Pottery by Dan Buri

4/5 stars for lyrical writing and a heartfelt analysis of humanity

I met Dan on Twitter around this time last year, and it was a true joy to experience his book. In the midst of its mystery and tragedy, there is something overwhelmingly peaceful about this collection of short stories and poems. Each piece is a powerful combination of lyrical writing, a heartfelt analysis of humanity and a quiet message that leaves you to draw your own conclusions.

Perhaps my favorite short story in the book is “Expect Dragons”, which amplifies Buri’s empathy for humankind in seemingly inconsequential words such as:

“You’ll learn that in this life, in this world, people think they need to label everything. They need everyone to fit into a nice little box, no matter how restrictive or damaging that box is. For them, everything is right or wrong, black or white. People are married or single, kings or poor, Republicans or Democrats. People will try to label you as a king, or dumb, or athletic, or any number of things. But I want you to remember this—you are not a label. You are not something that people can put into a box so they can better fit you into their worldview. Never forget that….”

Each sorrowful mystery is packed with tear-jerking lines like these, giving readers the impression that they are part of a conversation in which they can be truly heard and understood. I felt deeply for Buri’s characters and appreciated their individual struggles. It’s refreshing to find this level of honesty in any book. To find it in a collection of stories is extra special.

In the end, I thoroughly enjoyed the themes of hope, identity and love that Pieces Like Pottery presents. I recommend it to anyone who enjoys short stories that pack a punch.