read by Gillian Anderson, Emily Blunt, Nick Cave, et al. Great cast and some truly memorable stories, based around reflections from beyond the grave. The title, however, tempts the cruel critic to quip that this creation is somewhat less than the sum of its parts. And there is some truth in this assessment, even after the reader realises that the sum in Sum probably refers to 'Cogito ergo sum' - 'I think therefore I am.'
'Dazzling' it really is not; but entertaining, clever, thought-provoking, sometimes poignant and occasionally humorous it certainly is - aided by the exceptional cast and the relative brevity of most of the contributions. It can also be pretentious, solipsistic and banal.
It has had a tsunami of praise heaped on it, been translated into all the world's most used languages, turned into an opera and a ballet, and who knows what else?
Cannot be ignored, as they say. So try it for yourself and make up your own mind. It could change your lives.
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