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Eliza's Imaginary Adventures

Short Story Overload!

12/22/2014

 
In my final semester at school this year, I decided to take something I have always wanted to take and never had the chance to.  A short story writing class.  As part of this class we were required to also read and discuss a bunch of short stories.  (This is partly why my reviews have been few and far between these past few months, too much other stuff to read).  Since I really don't want some of these great stories to fall off of my radar, and thus yours, I figured I'd do a quick blog on all of them with a spark notes review on each and a way to find them should you so choose to pick them up.

Signs and Symbols by Vladimir Nabokov

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| 3 Stars | fiction, family, cultural | 
Synopsis: A family struggles with the decision of committing their boy to a mental institution, and after discussing their choice over his birthday gift, they decide to bring him home.
Review: The agony and pain this family suffers from with their decision is evident and their struggle is so well written it tugs at the heartstrings.  
Recommendation: Cryptic and full of symbolism, a sad read that is well worth it.

Sea Oak by George Saunders

| 1 Star | fiction, family, fantasy, zombies | 
Synopsis: A struggling family grieves over their self-created depressing lives and when their family matriarch passes a surprise visit changes their outlook on life forever.
Review: The abuse and lackadaisical attitude of this family is maddening and overused, that pair with the vulgar language and treatment of loved ones made it a difficult read.
Recommendation: If the language/themes do not offend you, the moral and theme of the story is sweet and profound making it worth reading if you can.

To Build a Fire by Jack London

| 3 Stars | fiction, survival, adventure | 
Synopsis: A deeply compelling story following a man and his dog as they journey through the frozen north and struggle to survive.
Review: The mental journey that this man undertakes is just as interesting to read as his physical one.
Recommendation: The dark and twisted content is highly entertaining and as the characters continue on the read trudges along with them.

Harrison Bergeron by Kurt Vonnegut

| 3 Stars | fiction, political, fantasy, oppression | 
Synopsis: 2081 and the Constitution has over 200 amendments to help create the "equal" American dream through suppression and lowering standards.
Review: Harrison Bergeron's story is compelling, madding, and heartbroken.  This story is a classic for a reason.
Recommendation: Read it.  Then read it again.  Every time you read it you'll get more out of it and it will continue to surprise you.
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