In 2018, the New York Times dubbed Gerald Murnane “the greatest living English-language writer most people have never heard of.” Now 83, Murnane has remained largely unknown due to his distinctive stream of consciousness writing style. Stories contain frequent changes of perspective from character to character, and between past and present. In When the Mice Failed to Arrive, a storm breaking as a father waits for his son to come home from school triggers memories of the man’s earlier life. Themes include father-son relationships, childhood anxiety, religious parody, awakening sexuality, insecurity, deceit, and what some may consider animal cruelty. More…
Teenage Wasteland
This story by Anne Tyler deals with different perspectives on growing up and parenting. Published in 1983, the story pre-dates the influence of modern devices such as PCs, the Internet, mobile phones, and even CD players. After-school entertainment involved TV, listening to music (on radio, vinyl records or cassettes) and neighborhood sport. However, many aspects of teenage life have remained unchanged. These include school and peer pressure, and dealing with parental authority and expectations. Without the right kind of support, young people having trouble dealing with these challenges must feel like life is a wasteland. More…
All Summer in a Day
Set on the planet Venus, the climate in this Ray Bradbury story features almost constant rain. The only break comes every seven years, when there are two hours of sunshine. The children of the Earth space travel families on the planet are all looking forward to playing outside during the short break. Only one of them has ever seen the sun, and she is having great trouble dealing with the constant rain. But when the sun finally does come out, she is nowhere to be seen. Themes include adaptability, envy, reaction to differences, and bullying.. More…
The Long-Distance Runner
This Grace Paley story describes a middle-aged runner’s surreal journey through the now predominantly African American neighborhood in which she grew up. When a thoughtless word leads to screams for help, she shelters for three weeks with the people living in her old family apartment. The story’s major theme is change. While some things are the same (poverty, kindness, motherly love), the world has moved on. The neighborhood has changed (the racial mix, urban decay, a climate of fear), as has the city (‘maleness’, less family unity, drug use). In confronting her past, she learns there is no going back. More…
No Witchcraft for Sale
Doris Lessing’s years growing up on a Rhodesian farm add credibility to this story about a condescending white family’s relationship with their native cook who, it seems, doubles as a local medicine man. The closeness that exists between the cook and their young son evaporates as the boy ages and becomes aware of racial issues, but is rekindled when the cook uses “bush medicine” to save the boy’s eyesight. The parents’ gratitude turns to anger as the cook refuses to reveal the secret of the cure to a greedy scientist. Themes: racism, ancient wisdom, altruism vs. commercial exploitation, cultural conflict. More…