“S.” by J.J. Abrams and Doug Dorst – The Unison of the Letter

S. by J.J. Abrams and Doug Dorst presents us with a rather simple premise which nevertheless has infinite potential. In this story, brought to life by the famous silver screen personality and a very talented short story writer, we are presented with three main “actors” so to speak: Jennifer (a college senior), Eric (a disgraced grad student), and the book which connects them, Ship of Theseus, written by the peculiar and enigmatic V.M. Straka.

Though the two students have no idea the other one exists, Jennifer one day picks up the book, only to find Eric’s notes, which seemingly indicate that he is enamored with it, its world and its characters. 

The young lady then adds her own notes to it, and so begins a very long and thoughtful conversation between the two, all of it conducted in the margins of the book. 

Through it, they not only discover about each other, but also about themselves, who they might become, their passions, loves, fears and the degree of trust they are willing to give a complete stranger.

Though on the surface S. appeared to me as a cutesy story about how two students find their path in life (as virtually all students do at one point or another), the significance of their interaction goes much deeper. As a matter of fact, it can very well be argued that the focal point in this story is the fact that the two of them discovered each other through a book they both like.

In a fictional world held by the pages of a book, these two found more meaning than anyone else probably ever did, discovering their own realities as few others ever could. Perhaps above all though, this was a novel in which Dorst and Abrams finally got the opportunity to do what they always wanted: to express their unconditional love and admiration for the written word, the power of the letter, and how it can take us on journeys far above and beyond the places our bodies can take us.

As far as the actual story itself goes, I have to say that it moves precisely how you would expect it: slowly, with plenty of internal monologues, thoughtful descriptions and an attention to detail that is greater than what your average thriller will provide you with. 

If you aren’t the kind of reader who is discouraged by a slow pace, then you are definitely going to find thought-provoking words to think about and moments to make you laugh and forget the nature of the story you are reading.

All in all, Abrams and Dorst’s S is an great literary effort, one which will certainly cater to all of those who seek to explore the power of the written word and the effect it can have on the human spirit.

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	J.J. (Jeffrey Jacob) Abrams J.J. Abrams is a renowned American film and television producer, director, screenwriter, composer and actor, mainly sticking to drama and science fiction. He is most known for bringing to life Mission: Impossible III, Cloverfield, and a plethora of other mainstream projects.
	Doug Dorst Doug Dorst is an American writer who has dedicated most of his career to writing short stories, in addition to which he is a creative writing teacher at Texas State University in San Marcos. He is perhaps most known for writing Alive in Necropolis, a work which gained him the Emperor Norton Award and San Francisco’s 2009 One City One Book selection.