One Hundred Words - by Michael E Smidts (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

"Within these pages, a wondrous realm awaits - somewhere between once upon a time and happily ever after - to become a part of who you are, an eternal refuge absorbed into your soul."

This debut collection of short stories from author Michael E Smidts takes the reader from the depths of the ocean to the farthest reaches of the solar system, from bygone eras to the distant future and everywhere in between. Each story is captured in exactly one hundred words and will spark your imagination and self-reflection.

"Step on board Michael Smidts's slice-of-life train and experience 215 stops that bring you full circle with the human experience. Each of these masterfully written short stories cleanses the emotional cupboard with a poetic brilliance that belies a debut offering." - Stephen Roth, author of Innocence on Trial and The Perfect Season

Review Quotes

"One Hundred Words" is so brilliant. Named due to the length of each short story, one-hundred words, readers are quickly spun by the text and spit back out once again. Such a unique and exhilarating reading experience, I can't say I've ever experienced anything quite like it, in the best way possible!

Take stories such as "Time Cab: Mourning Rays," in a present-day world where taxis are often left unused in a world of Ubers, author Michael E. Smidts presents the story of a taxi that can take you to destinations in time rather than simply present-day physical ones. Imagine going to the past to see someone just one more time, even if they can't see you, that's the beauty of this short. Other stories, such as "Consolation Prize," feel so painfully truthful and dramatically real, you can't help but react. While yet more leave you wondering what's happening in the fictional characters' reality to warrant that response and reaction within Smidts' story.

There's so much baked into these short stories you find yourself yearning to read them again, share them quickly with the person next to you, and keep thinking about the outcome long after the story has ended. This is a compilation of short, short stories, with each never running longer than one page, it is a truly extraordinary collection. Laid out in a style that ranges from a half page, to just shy of a full page, there is so much packed into so few words.

The work of true talent to convey so much into such a short number of words, time and time again are what make this read so spectacular. Each story is unique and yet captivating. Smidts' work is truly remarkable.

 Jill Rey