Short of a Picnic

by Eric Shapiro

12 brief glimpses into the lives of 12 very different people. Eric Shapiro brings these intriguingly real characters together to provide the briefest of glimpses into living with a mental disorder.

Genres: Fiction

112 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2002

About the author

Eric Shapiro is a writer and filmmaker. He wrote Macho, the forthcoming Randy Savage biopic produced by Artists for Artists, Midas Entertainment, and Range Media Partners, and Behind the Facade, a feature screenplay developed by Rebel Six Films. His films have screened at Fantasia and Fantastic Fest and streamed on Netflix and Hulu. A California Journalism Award winner, he is editor and co-owner of The Milpitas Beat.

Reviews

[Heather Wildman · Rating 3 out of 5]

I made it about halfway before I started to feel like I was reading the stories of the same person in different situations.

The stories were well written considering the stated intent, but I recommend NOT reading this in one sitting. Had I spaced the stories out, I probably would have enjoyed them more. If not for the feeling that many of the characters had no voice of their own, this book would have had at least another star.

[Judy · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not what I was expecting.

[Melody · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'm actually marking this as read before finishing, which is probably not great but that's the way it is. The book started out great; I was really enjoying it and thought that I would get through it quickly as it's a collaboration of short stories. I was wrong. The book went from great to okay within a few stories, and now I'm at the point where I'm rushing through it just to finish it. I'm looking forward to one of the future stories, so that's positive.

I gave the book two stars as I truly believe it to be "okay," and I started off enjoying it.

[Melissa St. Hilaire · Rating 5 out of 5]

I literally got a sunburn while reading this book I was so engrossed. Eric explores mental illness in its myriad forms on a deep, very real level. A sincere slice of life - or lives - that still haunts my mind as I write these words.

I highly recommend it!