21 Steps

“21 Steps” is a unique and modern story, different from anything I have read previously. The story uses google earth to follow one relatively unknown character to a variety of destinations, as he flees many life-threatening situations. The story contains many literary and visual components that should interest the common reader.
While most stories force you to imagine the setting, “21 Steps” is narrated like a movie and puts the reader into the main character's (Rick) footsteps. Even though Cummings describes few characteristics about Rick, the reader has a camera like presence and sees Rick's every move. The “blue line” in the story is a good indicator to the pacing of the story. When Rick is fleeing from the cops, the blue line moves fast, as opposed to when he is walking around corners. This effect allows you to read at a pace that correlates with Rick's actions. The stories point of view blends 3rd person objective and 1st person singular together. This unique narration allows the reader to get familiar with the thoughts and actions of the main character, but also allows for the overall picture to be seen. Another interesting effect was the visual shift from satellite imagery to a plain map that occurred between chapters 5 and 6. In chapter 5, Rick is fleeing in a taxi from three strangers, unsure about the situation he is in. Cummings may have chosen to switch to a map in chapter 6 to put the reader in the taxi with Rick, and make it easier to visualize what was going through his mind as he fled through the city streets.
I recommend this story because it is the first well- done online text accompanied by visual maps that I have read. At first glance, the maps overpower the literary text, however upon reading the story a second time the text is quite powerful and significant. The maps serve as an aid to bring life to the story and make it easier to comprehend.