*This review was read and written honestly and voluntarily. Possible spoilers ahead.

Sometimes it’s easiest to bare your soul to a stranger. Maybe you want to tell your friends or family about what you’re going through, but you don’t want them to see you in a bad light.

But if you’re an Uber driver on shift, you’ll read brave people tell you their stories.

This collection of short stories illustrates the complexities of the human condition and reminds us what be vulnerable can do for our relationships.

About Intersections

Nobody lies to their Uber driver. The anonymity functions like a truth serum, putting everyone’s raw and unfiltered selves on full display. But it is in those moments of authenticity, when human lives are intersecting without the usual pretense, that you hear powerful stories. 

Intersections is a collection of short stories, all based on the true experiences of rideshare passengers. Through the characters’ life-and-death journeys, we’re left with wonder and hope for humanity’s potential.

Kelly’s Honest Review

Raw, real, and relatable.

When I sat down and read the first short story in Intersections, it was about a Chinese girl. As someone with deep connections to China, I was instantly drawn in. And not just because the story was about a Chinese girl but because the author had accurate knowledge of the emotional struggles people face in China. I was nodding my head like, “yes, this is how it would be.”

As I continued through the short stories, I was truly amazed at the author’s ability to take stories from the Uber driver interactions, truly understand them, and make them so relatable to anyone. it was as if he had personally gone through their experiences too. There were a lot of complicated conversations and complex dynamics happening. I felt the vulnerability and authenticity. Sometimes, we forget that our interactions with people aren’t always perfect fairy tales. Sometimes they are painful, especially because humans are so complex.

I really appreciated the author for sharing such raw stories.

There were a few instances in the book where I wish the author had drawn out the conversations a little bit more. Whether in the middle or at the end of the chapter, he summarized the conversation rather than letting it play out. As a reader, I really wanted to be a part of the tension and the conflict. I think it reminds us that sometimes we have to have the difficult conversations to be in better relationships.

This is the beauty of Intersections. It’s hardest to speak to those closest to us. But when you’re an Uber driver, a stranger, it’s easier to share your soul.

Excellent writing, and I would definitely read more from this author.

Book Cover Rating

The cover for Intersections is simple and minimal. Very pleasing to the eye. The pattern in the “t” reminded me of a piece of a quilt. But in some ways, it doesn’t give much of a hint about the challenges that live inside.

Overall score: B

Other Publishing Information

• Date Published: March 10, 2023
• Audacity Press
• ISBN: 979-8-9874521-1-0
• Genre: Fiction Short Stories, Contemporary Fiction, Family Stories, City Life

More from the Andrew Spink

Andrew Spink is a storyteller. Through his work as an author, solo-show performer, comedian, and public speaker, he curates journeys through the human experience that examine our beliefs, tickle our sense of wonder, and spur us on toward meaningful living. He lives in Seattle with his family.

Learn more about Andrew on his website.