Charles Simic, a poet whose words often feel like a whispered secret, published That Little Something in 2008, a collection of prose pieces that defy easy categorization. This isn’t a novel, nor is it a straightforward memoir. Instead, it’s a series of vignettes, reflections, and anecdotes that coalesce into a portrait of a life lived with a keen eye for the absurd, the beautiful, and the often unsettling. Simic, who passed away in 2023, brought to his work a unique perspective shaped by his childhood experiences as a refugee from war-torn Yugoslavia, a background that imbues his writing with both a dark humor and a deep empathy. Published in the early 2000s, the book offers a timeless look at human nature, still resonating with readers today who seek a nuanced understanding of life’s complexities. Find it here.

The World Through Simic’s Eyes

The beauty of That Little Something lies in its fragmented structure, mirroring the way memories and impressions often surface. There’s no overarching plot, but rather a series of snapshots, ranging from childhood recollections to observations about art, literature, and the peculiar habits of people. Each piece, whether a page or two or several, operates as a self-contained world, filled with Simic’s distinctive voice: wry, observant, and always tinged with a sense of wonder. His descriptions are often striking, using stark imagery to paint vivid pictures of ordinary moments. For example, he might describe a street corner in Belgrade or a forgotten object found in an attic with the same intensity and meticulous detail, making the mundane feel significant and strange.

Simic’s characters are not just people, but rather figures caught in the act of living, often in moments of quiet desperation or bewildered contemplation. We meet his family, friends, and strangers he encounters, each of whom is rendered with a touch of the surreal. These characters, while not fully developed in the traditional sense, are memorable for their quirks and contradictions. Simic isn’t interested in creating heroes or villains but in capturing the messy, often contradictory nature of human beings. He shows us the beauty in the imperfect and finds humor in the absurdities of daily life. His focus on the ordinary allows him to elevate the everyday to the level of art, encouraging us to look deeper at our own lives and surroundings.

The book’s central theme revolves around the search for meaning in a world that often feels chaotic and nonsensical. Simic explores the nature of time, memory, and the fleeting nature of existence, not with grand philosophical pronouncements, but with a quiet, almost casual, tone. One piece that particularly resonated with me involved his reflections on his father’s collection of old photographs, a meditation on the way images both preserve and distort memory. Check it out here. It made me think about my own family photos and how they shape my understanding of my past, not always accurately but always powerfully. The themes are universal: the fragility of life, the struggle to make sense of the world, and the strange beauty found in unexpected places. His writing leaves the reader with a sense of quiet contemplation, prompting one to think about their own journey and place in the world.

A Style as Unique as the Author

Simic’s prose is characterized by its deceptive simplicity. His sentences are clear and direct, yet they often contain layers of meaning. He employs a kind of understated elegance, using plain language to express complex ideas. His style is also marked by a playful sense of irony and a fondness for the unexpected. He often juxtaposes the mundane with the profound, creating a sense of both familiarity and strangeness. The pacing of the book is deliberate, inviting readers to linger over each piece. There’s a sense of both urgency and timelessness, as if the author is speaking to us across decades. His voice, both playful and melancholic, is the glue that holds these disparate pieces together, creating a cohesive and compelling reading experience.

The narrative structure is unconventional. Instead of a linear progression, the book moves in a more associative way, allowing ideas and images to flow naturally from one piece to the next. This creates a sense of discovery, as if we are piecing together the author’s thoughts and memories along with him. The absence of a traditional plot allows the reader to focus on the beauty of the individual moments. It encourages active reading, prompting the reader to engage with the text in a more personal and reflective way. The book’s lack of a rigid structure allows for a more intimate reading experience, one that feels like a conversation with a wise and thoughtful friend. Click to purchase.

A Lasting Impression

That Little Something is not a book to be rushed through. It’s a work that demands to be savored, each piece read and reread, to fully appreciate its nuanced beauty. It matters because it offers a perspective on the world that is both deeply personal and universally resonant. It’s a reminder that the extraordinary can be found in the ordinary, and that even in the face of chaos, there is beauty, wonder, and humor to be found. Simic’s words linger long after the book is closed, prompting readers to re-examine their own lives and surroundings with fresh eyes. This collection is a testament to his unique voice and his ability to find meaning in the small, often overlooked moments of life.

I would recommend That Little Something to anyone who appreciates thoughtful, poetic prose, or those who enjoy works that blend personal reflection with keen observation. It’s particularly suited for readers who are drawn to the works of writers like W.G. Sebald or Italo Calvino, both of whom also blur the lines between fiction and nonfiction. Readers who enjoy philosophical essays that don’t take themselves too seriously might also find Simic’s style captivating. It is a book that rewards multiple readings, each time revealing new layers of meaning and insight. If you’re seeking a book that will stay with you long after you finish the last page, this is one to consider. Get your copy today.