2018 Short Story Advent Calendar Unveiling: December 17

The swelling is slowly abating in my mouth, plus, I enjoyed today’s story. Things are looking up for me!
Oh jeez guys, oh jeez. I seem to have been on a streak lately, reading books about children dying, being kidnapped, and other horrible things. Billie Livingston’s The Crooked Heart of Mercy continues this terrible theme as it begins with the accidental death of a two year-old, while he is at home with him Mom…
I had never read anything by Olive Senior before, but I had heard of her, and I knew she was a good writer, so picking up The Pain Tree was an easy decision for me. As was recommending her, and gushing about her publisher Cormorant Books on the radio last week. If you’re looking for…
How to Pronounce Knife by Souvankham Thammavongsa most recently appeared on the Scotiabank Giller Prize longlist, and we’ll find out on October 5 if it makes it to the shortlist. Interestingly, it’s a collection of short stories, written by a poet. It’s rare that a collection of short stories appears on an award list like…
So I was very tired when I recorded this, which was actually on December 14. But as I write this it’s December 15, and a couple hours away from getting my tooth pulled, so close enough. Thanks for following along guys!
Wowza, ok this video is way more up-close and personal than I had hoped for this early in the morning. No make-up, not even brushed teeth in this one, but I really enjoyed today’s short story so you have a glowing review to look forward to. Oh, and Smokey makes an appearance too, as does…
It’s with a heavy heart that I write this: our beloved Pearl has passed away, and because she played such a large part in this blog, I thought it best to alert all of you that you will no longer be seeing photos of her in my future posts. Pearl lived a good life, she…
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I remember a friend loving Rufus W. around 2000, so you’re likely not far off!
phew!
Agree to disagree about this story. This one wasn’t for me. I’m not really sure what the point of it was, but at least the female protagonist seemed to be in charge this time. There were some clever turns of phrases throughout, but I liked the writing at the beginning of the story better than the end. I loved his description of nature, and it was hard to tell from the way the first encounter was portrayed whether he was writing about an actual deer, e.g., page 5, “He got down on his haunches, laid a hand to his long, skinny knee…”. But no magic realism here…nothing magical at all, really.
I agree; it does leave the reader more in and of the moment when you don’t place the story in a specific time.
I wouldn’t say I LOVED this story, but I did like it more than others. The calendar seems to be quite polarizing this year, which is half the fun :)
Kevin Barry was recommended to me by another reviewer years ago as a newcomer to watch – needless to say, I never got around to reading any of his stuff! Apart from the swearing, this sounds good. I may even add one of his short story collections to my wishlist…