I love the husband and father in this story. He is redemption for me. Just a gorgeous, heartbreaking story. It’s how life is, isn’t it? I’m not a big fiction fan but I’m so glad I read this even though it’s devastating—devastatingly beautiful and true.
I know how many stories you've read (on Readup alone!) so that's a HUGE endorsement!! I wonder if this one has a chance to make it to Readup's Best Ever Hall of Fame.
It has my vote Bill! I love reading stories that make me feel to this depth of my being. It makes me never forget them - it becomes a part of me. I never read this genre but Readup has taught me, much like George Castanza, “to do the opposite!” It’s how I continue to grow. Readup has expanded me, which is why it’s so important to me. I really consider it part of my morning practice - right up there with meditation, Chi Gong and exercise. It’s medicine. It’s the connection to the insightful community and such stellar writing. I believe in you and Jeff and this platform. It changes you if you are dedicated and are open to trying new things. Also, I was not going to try this article until I read vunderkind’s comment. I trust his reactions. If it broke him, I was then willing to be broken! That’s the power of community! OMG, I never knew about the Best Ever hall of fame!!! YAY, I may have missed something - so excited!
Great sci fi short story. Easy to see why it made such a huge splash. It really packs a punch. A huge, kinda ugly, kinda beautiful punch, right in the gut.
I don't want to spoil anything, but I will say that I'll be thinking about the last two sentences of the seventh-to-last paragraph (starting with "You know what the Chinese think...") for a long long time. Words like that have the power to be life-changing, because they make you want to live different. Better, basically. Treat people better. Ughhh. Heavy!
Omg, those sentences. Spot On, Spot. On. Awakens Changing Our wounded Narratives.
Even as an individual who has Experienced a Ton of Healing with both parents...this story made me Pause and think, Shit, I was maybe a bit too abrupt in ending the most recent phone chat with Mom when she clearly wanted to more (I have learned I have to set Healthy Boundaries with her, though).
Like Reading an Incredible Pixar or Anime Film prior to Viewing the (inevitable?) translation.
Once I saw the words Paper Tiger at the beginning I Immediately Imagined The Impact of Reading the rest Soundtracked to Beck’s Sea Change album - I can vouch the two as a Marriage Made in Magical Origami Heaven.
As I was reading I also thought of The Lonesome Bodybuilder by Yukiko Motoya - a collection of short stories that took me places I had no idea prose could take me.
I have to agree with the review that was haphazardly included at the end. But that doesn’t take away from the punch. This story really sucked me in!
On a scale of 1 to 10, I have to give this heartbreaking story a 28!
This broke me.
And your comment re-broke me.
I love the husband and father in this story. He is redemption for me. Just a gorgeous, heartbreaking story. It’s how life is, isn’t it? I’m not a big fiction fan but I’m so glad I read this even though it’s devastating—devastatingly beautiful and true.
Wow.
One of the best stories I have ever read. I can’t stop the tears, nor do I want to. Just beautiful.
Ahhh!!! Warms my heart. ❤️
I know how many stories you've read (on Readup alone!) so that's a HUGE endorsement!! I wonder if this one has a chance to make it to Readup's Best Ever Hall of Fame.
It has my vote Bill! I love reading stories that make me feel to this depth of my being. It makes me never forget them - it becomes a part of me. I never read this genre but Readup has taught me, much like George Castanza, “to do the opposite!” It’s how I continue to grow. Readup has expanded me, which is why it’s so important to me. I really consider it part of my morning practice - right up there with meditation, Chi Gong and exercise. It’s medicine. It’s the connection to the insightful community and such stellar writing. I believe in you and Jeff and this platform. It changes you if you are dedicated and are open to trying new things. Also, I was not going to try this article until I read vunderkind’s comment. I trust his reactions. If it broke him, I was then willing to be broken! That’s the power of community! OMG, I never knew about the Best Ever hall of fame!!! YAY, I may have missed something - so excited!
Great sci fi short story. Easy to see why it made such a huge splash. It really packs a punch. A huge, kinda ugly, kinda beautiful punch, right in the gut.
I don't want to spoil anything, but I will say that I'll be thinking about the last two sentences of the seventh-to-last paragraph (starting with "You know what the Chinese think...") for a long long time. Words like that have the power to be life-changing, because they make you want to live different. Better, basically. Treat people better. Ughhh. Heavy!
Omg, those sentences. Spot On, Spot. On. Awakens Changing Our wounded Narratives.
Even as an individual who has Experienced a Ton of Healing with both parents...this story made me Pause and think, Shit, I was maybe a bit too abrupt in ending the most recent phone chat with Mom when she clearly wanted to more (I have learned I have to set Healthy Boundaries with her, though).
Redemptive Read. Salve for the Soul. Incredible!
Like Reading an Incredible Pixar or Anime Film prior to Viewing the (inevitable?) translation.
Once I saw the words Paper Tiger at the beginning I Immediately Imagined The Impact of Reading the rest Soundtracked to Beck’s Sea Change album - I can vouch the two as a Marriage Made in Magical Origami Heaven.
As I was reading I also thought of The Lonesome Bodybuilder by Yukiko Motoya - a collection of short stories that took me places I had no idea prose could take me.
This Is Enriching