Each postcard is representative of a different character in three of the short stories from How To Pronounce Knife. In each story, a character has some sort of void within themself; each is left wanting for something. Photography and hand-lettered type are used to capture the emotion of each quote.
In “Edge of the World”, a mother is missing a sense of belonging. Like the missing piece of the puzzle, she is out of place. She has somewhere she could choose to fit into, but she doesn’t wish to conform - she seeks belonging that doesn’t require her to change herself.
In “Mani Pedi”, a brother has a void in his life that his boxing ambitions used to fill. He finds new inspiration while working at his sister’s nail salon; a beautiful woman who becomes a regular client. Longing for her becomes his new dream - it doesn’t matter whether she could ever want him in return, the act of dreaming is enough in itself to give him the strength to get through each day.
In “Picking Worms”, a mother is left wanting for recognition. Her worm-picking technique made her the best in the field - but when she takes a novice under her wing, her method is turned against her. Using her techniques, the boy rises through the ranks; and once he makes it to the top, he bans every tool that made her great. He receives the acknowledgement the mother deserved, while she loses everything.
