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  • Uncommon Type

  • Some Stories
  • By: Tom Hanks
  • Narrated by: Tom Hanks
  • Length: 10 hrs and 1 min
  • 4.0 out of 5 stars (114 ratings)

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Uncommon Type cover art

Uncommon Type

By: Tom Hanks
Narrated by: Tom Hanks
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Publisher's Summary

Read by two-time Oscar winner Tom Hanks.

A collection of 17 wonderful short stories showing that Tom Hanks is as talented a writer as he is an actor.

A gentle Eastern European immigrant arrives in New York City after his family and his life have been torn apart by his country's civil war. A man who loves to bowl rolls a perfect game - and then another and then another and then many more in a row until he winds up ESPN's newest celebrity, and he must decide if the combination of perfection and celebrity has ruined the thing he loves. An eccentric billionaire and his faithful executive assistant venture into America looking for acquisitions and discover a down-and-out motel, romance and a bit of real life.

These are just some of the tales Tom Hanks tells in this first collection of his short stories. They are surprising, intelligent, heart-warming and, for the millions and millions of Tom Hanks fans, an absolute must-have.

©2017 Tom Hanks (P)2017 Random House Audiobooks

What listeners say about Uncommon Type

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

A Rare Review

I rarely write a review, although I've enjoyed every Audible book so far. However, something must be said for the author who reads his own fiction. Tom Hanks not only writes superbly but is also a pleasure to listen to. I will be on the lookout for his future works. Many thanks for 10 hours of pleasurable listening.

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8 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Ho hum, bit pedestrian unfortunately

Oh well here goes, I know I’ll probably be criticised for this but it’s my opinion, as a writer, Tom Hanks is an incredibly talented actor.
I was looking forward to the quite unique typewriter theme, it was certainly different and rather quaint. I did like the idea of character continuity in a number of the Chapters but many of the stories felt flat to me.
As the stories went, only three had me really hooked, Chapter 7-Al and Bean Plus 4, Chapter 10-A Special Weekend, Chapter 11-These are the Meditations of my Heart and Chapter 13-The Past is Important to Us.
Their themes and plots were innovative, interesting and at times heart warming, real “page turners”!
Even so, it was just a collection of short stories that were a little “ho hum” for me.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

A true gem

Tom Hanks is a master story teller. loved these stories they left me feeling inspired.

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Loved it!

Entertaining, fun and clever. Tom Hanks is a delight to listen to and as it turns out a delightful writer too.

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

If you like Tom Hank's voice ..

I listened to and enjoyed the Hanks’ narration of The Dutch House and this might have been a daily deal.

If you really like Tom Hank’s voice you may enjoy this, if you don’t … you won’t. I think I discovered why books of short stories are usually er short. This is 17 stories in nearly 11hrs. It should have been 4 hrs max and I would have enjoyed it so much more, but he just went on and on.
His descriptions and dialog I found pleasant but I just got bored … still sometimes ya just gotta take a risk.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    1 out of 5 stars

Boring as

All the story’s go no where. The most boring assembly of stories I have had the misfortune to buy!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
  • Dee
  • 08-11-2022

I could listen to Tom narrate the phonebook!

loved it. entertaining. great variation of stories. fabulous narration with engaging expression. happy days.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

A Light hearted listen

You only get a snapshot of the characters in these brief stories. They're quick, but catchy, without much detail and no waffle.

Tom's not my favourite narrator but he is also not the worst I've heard. All in all enjoyable for a one time listen but I'm unlikely to think back on this audio book and want to listen to it again.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

All over the place

Much as I love Tom Hanks, I just couldn’t finish this book. Each chapter is meant to be a different story. Hmm the first chapter was kind of Okay but I got as far as the beginning of chapter 3 and it just wasn’t for me. The “stories” are too short and rather confusing.
So sad as I love most of his reading.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Pleasant stories

Often different to realise one story had finished and another started! Otherwise an entertaining listen.

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