By Finnius J. Uber
At the start of this intriguing little book, the plausibly-named Finnius J. Uber notes that there are times when the job becomes something else: “you’re being asked to step into someone’s else’s story,” he prophetically writes. “Every driver has to decide where the line is…I’ll get you where you need to go. Everything else is negotiable.”
And with that, the stories begin rolling out along with the often strange people who populate them. …
There’s the enigmatic Madame X who calls daily and leads the driver through a labyrinth of mysterious drop offs. When the author finally inquires about her line of work, he’s informed that she “manages people.” No further elaboration.
There’s the couple that sits in complete silence throughout the ride acknowledging the end of something.
Then there’s Carl- who- isn’t Carl. It turns out the Uber driver is a player in a larger scheme, moving someone being followed by a crime family. The driver leaves the final drop off point with a fat wallet and an even fatter story.
These are just a handful of the sometimes mesmerizing people that pass through Finnius’ passenger seats. The stories are often told in a kind of hard boiled style reminiscent of Dashiell Hammett or at times, Raymond Chandler. Sometimes the sentences are merely a few words long but the style suits the tales Uber weaves from his personal experiences.
There is often a lesson learned and collective wisdom displayed along with a sprinkling of good natured humour throughout these pages. These are sandwiched between a kind of you-can’t-make-this-stuff vibe.
Uber has driven everywhere from New York ( a city designed by people who don’t like drivers) to Kentucky to Chicago and everywhere in between. And the cities often feel like characters in and of themselves.
Uber, a first-time author does a good job cobbling together his memories of these off-the-wall characters and creating a memorable ride for the reader. Let’s hope for more in the future.
– Carter Hammett