Lines

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Pub Date 29 Oct 2024 | Archive Date 3 Aug 2024

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Description

On a foggy morning in New York City, a man and a woman are about to run into each other, literally. Upon impact, they fall to the ground in an instinctively protective hug. The fog dissipates, and they stare into each other's eyes in disbelief, at the sheer magnitude of their bodily collision and their subsequent, spontaneous coupling. They laugh. The man, a writer, invites the woman, an artist, for coffee and they talk until lunch. They date. They fall in love, hard. They marry just two months later. And four years later, their marriage is on the precipice of disaster.

On a foggy morning in New York City, the same man and woman pass through the fog, oblivious of each other's existence. Until five years later, when the writer finds an oval-shaped locket no bigger than his thumbnail, a tiny white dress painted within the boundary of its golden border.

Lines is about possibilities, about the choices we make - or fail to make. It's a star-crossed love story; it's a bitter tragedy. It's about Josh and Abby and their intertwined lives, together and apart, through births and deaths and the beautiful mess in between.

On a foggy morning in New York City, a man and a woman are about to run into each other, literally. Upon impact, they fall to the ground in an instinctively protective hug. The fog dissipates, and...


Advance Praise

With its star-crossed lovers and fickle downtown art scene, Lines is a sweet, sharp-eyed New York fairytale bound to appeal to fans of smart romantic comedies. While Sung J. Woo’s deft use of his fugue structure will remind readers of Sliding Doors, his feel for Josh and Abby as they navigate their many missed connections recalls the pure, exalted yearning of Haruki Murakami.

—Stewart O’Nan, author of Ocean State and Last Night at the Lobster

A thoughtful exploration of the choices we make, and how one chance meeting (or lack thereof) can change your life in complicated and unexpected ways. Smart and meticulously crafted, Lines is a story that will stay with me long after finishing the last page.

—Brenda Janowitz, author of The Liz Taylor Ring and The Grace Kelly Dress

A witty, observant, exhilarating pleasure, with much to teach us about the complexities of loving and the complexities of living a life devoted to art.

—Brian Morton, author of Starting Out in the Evening and Florence Gordon

With its star-crossed lovers and fickle downtown art scene, Lines is a sweet, sharp-eyed New York fairytale bound to appeal to fans of smart romantic comedies. While Sung J. Woo’s deft use of his...


Available Editions

ISBN 9781956692501
PRICE US$22.95 (USD)
PAGES 308

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Average rating from 30 members


Featured Reviews

Great book. I loved It even though it was a stretch out of my comfort zone as a reader. I would read another book by this author.

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"Lines" by Sung J. Woo is a captivating contemporary novel that masterfully intertwines the lives of its characters, creating a rich tapestry of human experience. Published by Unsolicited Press, this novel explores the profound connections and seemingly insignificant moments that define our existence.

Woo’s storytelling is both engaging and poignant, with a knack for creating characters who feel incredibly real and relatable. The narrative flows seamlessly, pulling readers into the heart of the story and holding their attention from start to finish. The novel's structure, cleverly divided into various perspectives and timelines, adds depth and intrigue, making every chapter a new discovery.

What truly stands out in "Lines" is Woo's ability to capture the beauty in everyday life. The novel is filled with moments of quiet reflection, gentle humor, and insightful commentary on the human condition. Woo's prose is elegant yet accessible, making it a joy to read and leaving a lasting impact.

"Lines" is a beautifully written and thought-provoking novel that will resonate with readers long after they turn the final page. Sung J. Woo has crafted a remarkable story that is both intimate and universal, making "Lines" a must-read for fans of contemporary fiction.

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On a foggy New York morning, a man and a woman collide, leading to an unforgettable connection. From a spontaneous embrace to a whirlwind romance, Josh and Abby's story is both magnetic and heartbreaking. But as their paths cross and diverge, "Lines" delves deep into the choices we make and their ripple effects on our lives.

Sung J Woo masterfully weaves a tale of possibilities, tracing the star-crossed journey of two souls through love, loss, and the unpredictable twists of fate. The author's writing is exceptional, bringing every emotion to life with vivid clarity.

I really liked this book—the ending was beautiful and left a lasting impact. This novel captures the essence of life's beautiful mess, where every decision shapes our destiny. A must-read for those who cherish stories that explore the delicate balance between chance and choice.

This book will stay with me for a long time!

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I really adored this book. It is written in a unique style, that I can't quite put my finger on, but I really enjoyed. It follows 2 ways a life could have turned out. It's fascinating to see the ways in which the same events occur in each version of the life, but how they are handled differently in each. Or the way different people or different circumstances in each life can change the outcome of the same event.

Not sure if I'm saying that well lol. The way life could have been. Excellent writing. Fantastic concept, extremely well done.

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I enjoyed this book, and was kept interested and intrigued the whole way through. I liked the dual storyline, and the art, and the ending. I would read the author again.

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*Lines* by Sung J. Woo is a captivating and clever novel that weaves together humor, heart, and the complexities of modern life. Woo's sharp dialogue and engaging characters create a story that feels both relatable and fresh. It's a delightful, thought-provoking read that keeps you turning the pages.

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This book beautifully illustrates the complexity of life, where every choice impacts our destiny. It's a must-read for those who value stories that explore the subtle balance between chance and decision. I found this book truly compelling. The ending was both beautiful and memorable.

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"there's nothing more satisfying than options, alternative possibilities, the open paths of a person's existence."

i went through a bit of a rollercoaster with this one for the first couple of chapters. while the premise—two strangers who paths cross in one world and split apart in another—piqued my interest, josh's early pov was kind of off-putting. it took a few chapters to get used to it, while abby's chapters were more engaging from the start.

this is quite an ambitious concept, as woo had to build two characters into four – joshua and abby who run into each other and build life together, and joshua and abby who once walked past each other unknowingly and now meet by chance, with josh coming across abby's art. it plays with what ifs and makes you wonder – are we sure we met someone one too early, too late, or on time?

as you compare the two versions of joshua and abby, how their lives were influenced by external factors, how the people surrounding them differ and appear the same in both worlds, you get the idea of who they are at their core, and the effect they can have on each other. "lines" is both mundane and magical. its core is love one has for their art, and how artists can bind to each other or break apart.

i'd be remiss not to mention dina brodsky, whose art adorns the pages of "lines". it's not difficult to imagine how her miniatures may inspire someone to build a little written world of their own, let alone build a novel around them.

"lines" was a unique experience in reading and an exploration of art that sees the simplicity of the everyday in all its glory.

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The story follows Chuck Hoon, an employee at a health insurance company who uncovers an anomaly in the company’s database. As Chuck digs deeper, he realizes that there’s a hidden world within the lines of code, leading him to a series of shocking discoveries that challenge his understanding of morality and justice.

The novel explores themes of corporate ethics, human interconnectedness, and the complexities of healthcare in America. Woo’s narrative style blends suspense with wit, making it both a thought-provoking and engaging read. For readers interested in technology, ethical dilemmas, or stories that reveal the hidden layers of bureaucratic systems, Lines offers a unique perspective.

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LOVED the writing style! It is lyrical, dramatic, and metafictional!! The narration at the beginning kinda breaks the fourth wall and I loved it (yes, I've said that already, but it's hard to find words)

I wish I could see the art in color cause it looked cool. The book is very different from anything else I've read - the irony and tension are delicious and predicting how things would play out seems hard and easy at the same time.

The only thing I did not like was all the mentions of farting/ passing gas, because, really, there's nothing interesting about reading a man pass gas that would hit 7.5 on the sphincter scale (an actual line from the book) multiple times.

ending hit me like a truck - that's all I have to say about that.

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This book raises a sinuous tightrope that weaves through love and destiny and parallel realities. We follow a singular instance that breaks off into two different stories, and from there we catch our balance to face first one side, and then the other, to look into different lives, into versions of people and relationships that remain entangled with one another regardless - but change irretrievably.

As someone particularly enthusiastic about the significance of chance and the butterfly effect, this book was an intriguing, thorough, and heartwrenching foray into what is, what could be, love, and inevitability.

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