The major theme of this Science Fiction mystery by Raymond F. Jones is unlocking the hidden potential of the human mind. A government research laboratory gathers America’s leading scientists to replicate an “antigravity belt” that seemingly defies the fundamental laws of physics. The secretive young inventor died in an accident demonstrating the belt. He left no notes, and the only prototype was destroyed in the crash. To complicate matters his areas of research included not only the sciences, but also the occult with a special interest in levitation. Other themes: scientific dogmatism vs. open-mindedness, the scientific method, deception. More…
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Absit
This unsettling story by Angélica Gorodischer begins with one of a parent’s worst fears: a child molester sees a young girl playing alone in her garden and begins to talk to her. The six or seven-year old in the story knows the rules (don’t talk to strangers!), but the smooth-talking man appears to have little difficulty in winning her confidence. Fortunately, just as it seems he will have his way with her, she manages to turn the tables and exact a cruel and fitting punishment. Themes include pedophilia, temptation, crime and punishment, justice, redemption. More…
Broken Chain
The major lesson of this story from Gary Soto is that what someone is like on the inside is more important than his or her looks. An insecure seventh-grader is obsessed with his appearance (teeth, V-cut abs, hairstyle and clothes). His outlook on relationships changes when an act of kindness results in a bike-riding “date” with a girl. When his bicycle chain breaks, it looks like the date will be a disaster. Fortunately, his older brother comes to the rescue and the boy experiences his first touch of “love”. Themes: identity vs. appearance, sibling rivalry (jealousy) / brotherly love, courage. More…
Christmas Not Just Once a Year
This farcical comedy by Heinrich Böll can be looked at from two perspectives. The first is as a Christmas satire. After years of austere Christmases during World War II, the wife of a German businessman becomes hysterical when the tree for the traditional lavish family Christmas of 1946 is taken down. To prevent her being institutionalized, her family agree to re-celebrate Christmas Eve every day of the year. They go to ridiculous lengths to do this, destroying family unity in the process. Themes: family, tradition, mental illness, alienation, dehumanization, commercialization and loss of the spiritual meaning of Christmas, facing reality. More…
The Stone Boy
The twin focuses of this disturbing story by Gina Berriault are a farm boy’s unusual reaction to his accidental shooting of his older brother, and his family and community’s interpretation of that reaction. Rather than run home in tears, the boy continues with their assigned task (picking peas), and calmly reports the death when this is completed. When the boy appears emotionless during the sheriff’s questioning, he is branded a psychopath and cruelly ostracized by family and friends. This becomes self-fulfilling, as the once normal nine-year-old transforms into a “stone boy”. Themes: loss, fear/guilt, grief, parental failure, alienation, isolation, identity. More…