Super Short Summary

Thirteen Ways of Looking by Colum McCann is a collection that includes a novella and several short stories, each deeply examining the human condition. The novella, "Thirteen Ways of Looking," centers on Peter Mendelssohn, an elderly retired judge who, despite his prestigious life, confronts aging's challenges and faces an unexpected violent end. Other stories, like "Treaty" and "Sh’khol," explore themes of trauma, revenge, empathy, and human connection through various characters' experiences.