Comments
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    • thorgalle
      Top reader this weekScoutScribe
      3 years ago

      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!

    • TripleG
      Top reader this weekTop reader of all timeReading streakScoutScribe
      3 years ago

      On a scale of 1 to 10, I have to give this heartbreaking story a 28!

    • vunderkind3 years ago

      This broke me.

      • bill
        Top reader of all time
        3 years ago

        And your comment re-broke me.

        • Karenz3 years ago

          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.

    • mclint3 years ago

      Wow.

    • Pegeen
      Top reader this weekReading streakScoutScribe
      3 years ago

      One of the best stories I have ever read. I can’t stop the tears, nor do I want to. Just beautiful.

      • bill
        Top reader of all time
        3 years ago

        Ahhh!!! Warms my heart. ❤️

        One of the best stories I have ever read.

        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.

        • Pegeen
          Top reader this weekReading streakScoutScribe
          3 years ago

          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!

    • bill
      Top reader of all time
      3 years ago

      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!

      • DellwoodBarker3 years ago

        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).

    • DellwoodBarker3 years ago

      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