Drinking Coffee Elsewhere (32)

Title: Drinking Coffee Elsewhere
Author: ZZ Packer
Genre: Fiction

This collection of short stories had been on my "to read" list for so long that perhaps there was no way for me to not be disappointed by it. I had to force myself to push through and finish this book and when I did I walked away quite unsatisfied.

The more I thought about my disappointment though the more I realized it wasn't disappointment at all. It was instead discomfort. The book didn't offer any element of escapism at all. Even though I had next to nothing in common with the actual characters and actions in the stories the deep sadness and melancholy present in everyone of the stories rang a little too true and hit a couple tender spots a little too directly. The fact that Packer is originally from Louisville and threw in some Louisville and Kentucky details just added to those direct hits.

I wasn't disappointed in the book, just uncomfortable with the level of emotions and introspection it inspired in me. I cannot think of higher praise to give a book.