The Twenty Dollar Bill

Elmore Hammes
Kanapolis Fog Publishing Emporium (2007)
ISBN 9780615147161
Reviewed by Andrea Barry for Reader Views (12/07)


“The Twenty Dollar Bill” is a surprisingly good read. After reading the back of the book, I did not have much hope for what was contained inside. What I found, however, was something entirely different than what I expected.

Author Elmore Hammes takes us on a ride through the life of a twenty dollar bill. The book opens a little differently than expected by starting immediately into the life of Claire, a waitress at a diner who is rushing to get to work on time. She is approached by a bum and instead of rushing past him, she stops and sees him for who he is -- someone who has had a rough go at life and could really use some help. She decides to give him her last twenty dollars and in a spur-of-the-moment decision, a hug as well. This simple act starts the book off as we learn that Claire will likely lose her job. We then move to the old man and his perspective at receiving the money and the hug from Claire. We learn the man’s name is Joe and that he hasn’t eaten in days and he genuinely plans to use the money she gave him to get something to eat for himself. As Joe advances across the mall parking lot where he encountered Claire, he is approached by three young men intent on harassing him and taking his money.

The entire book proceeds in this manner, giving us a small glimpse into the life of each person as they come into possession of this money. I found that the story was just that as it finally wraps onto itself and “The Twenty Dollar Bill” finds its way back into Claire’s hands a couple weeks after the fateful day on which she gave the money to Joe. I won’t ruin the ending, but suffice it to say, that the books ends well.  I feel like I truly read a story as opposed to a collection of very short stories.

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