Wednesday, October 21, 2009

"No Pain Whatsoever" by Richard Yates

This uncomfortable story features a the third-person limited narration focused on poor Myra, occasionally using her voice. The story starts with the immediate tension of Jack's unwanted touch. We see a linear narrative that makes conventional use of scenes and summary.

What further to discuss? There's the radio, perhaps, and how it functions in both settings. Or the crumpled and misshapen chests of the TB patients as compared to the ending image of Jack groping Myra's chest. There's plot and structure, I don't know, I'd like to hear from you: what will you steal/borrow/learn from Richard Yates?

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

"How to Become a Writer" by Lorrie Moore

This story is a midsemester ha-ha. Then again, maybe Francie is serious. Whatever, it is a timely reading in the face of the most recent Burroway assignment.

I strongly suggest reading Loore's other two stories in 3x33, "You're Ugly Too" and "People Like That Are the Only People Here," originally subtitled "Canonical Babblings in Peed Onc."

Wednesday, October 7, 2009