253: a Novel for the Internet in Seven Cars and a Crash by Geoff Ryman Science Fiction 1996 Web Site

About the Story

A London tube train, with all seats occupied, carries 252 passengers. The driver makes 253. Each one has a secret history, thoughts about themselves and the world. And each one's story takes one page (comprised of exactly 253 words) in this novel.
Meet Estelle, who has fallen madly in love with Saddam Hussein; James, who anesthetizes sick gorillas for a living; and Who? a character who doesn't know where, or what, on earth he is.
Perhaps you'll see a bit of yourself in some or all of them.
This seven-and-a-half minute ride between Embankment and Elephant & Castle is highly original. And enjoyable. And unpredictable.
And full of marvels.

Winner of the 1998 Philip K. Dick Award.

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