Gerald, Andy and Anais discuss “Freyr” by Tommy Orange. In this story, two men bond over their individual physical deformities. One wears his on his face, the other secretly under his shirt! Anais, Gerald, and Andy all highly rated this one, giving it 6 out of 6 Bradberries. Wow!
Gerald, Andy and Anais discuss “The Curfew” by Roddy Doyle, a story of an aging man in Dublin who anticipates an approaching hurricane with surprising eagerness. The story was a rare sensation with all three hosts who were bursting with praise for this beautifully spun tale about aging and late-life reflections.
Gerald, Andy and Anais discuss “The Rabbit Matchmakers” by Andrew Phillips, a story of a sensitive boy, his late grandfather’s pet rabbit, and the secrets of his grandfather’s tall-tale life. Gerald and Andy were quite disappointed with the story, but Anais enjoyed it. Despite differences of opinions on what the story is about, the three hosts engage in spirited discussion about the well-drawn characters.
Gerald, Andy and Anais discuss “The Enchanted Forest” by Brian Crawford and have wildly different reactions to this tale of two brothers who fight forest fires. Andy and Anais were disappointed with the emotional arc of the story, even as they acknowledged the professional quality of the story that was clearly written by an expert. Gerald more thoroughly enjoyed the story and defends it valiantly.
Gerald, Andy and Anais discuss “The Wreck at Goat’s Head” by Alexandra Manglis, which was recommended by last our previous episode’s guest, Carina Saxon. The story captivated all three hosts with its mysterious prose, alluring magical realism, vivid imagery, and ghostly apparitions. They discuss themes of feminine power, matriarchal lines, and the tradition.
This week we welcome Carina Saxon to the podcast to discuss “The Effluent Engine” by N. K. Jemisin
Carina is a content writer. She formerly a Professor of English at Indiana University Bloomington, where she taught “The Effluent Engine” to over 100 undergraduate students. She holds a Master in Victorian Literature from Indiana University.
Carina joined Gerald, Andy and Anais to discuss N.K. Jemisin’s novella-length steampunk, historical fiction, spy thriller. Beneath the flashy and entertaining plot there are nuanced themes pertaining to racism, sexism, and freedom.
This week we welcome Caitlin Hamilton Summie to the podcast to discuss a story she recommends: “Enid & Floyd & the Moon” by Jeanne Shoemaker.
Author Caitlin Hamilton Summie
Caitlin is the author of the short story collection To Lay To Rest Our Ghosts. The book won the the Phillip J McMath Postpublication award from the University of Central Arkansas, and won Silver in the Foreword INDIES Book of the Year Award for Short Stories. Caitlin earned an MFA with Distinction from Colorado State University, and her short stories have been published in Beloit Fiction Journal, Wisconsin Review, Puerto del Sol, Mud Season Review, and Long Story, Short. She co-owns the book marketing firm, Caitlin Hamilton Marketing & Publicity, founded in 2003. Find her online at Caitlinhamiltonsummie.com and on Twitter @csummie
Caitlin joined Gerald and Anais to discuss a charming story about an elderly couple that is still very much in love. Their life is beset by tragedy and poverty, but the two aging lovebirds stay focused on each other. The story stirred a little fear in Gerald who could perhaps identify a little bit with the characters.
Andy could not join us for this recording this week, but he recorded a two minute riff of his opinion, which is appended at the end of the episode. He also visits us in the Youtube Live comment section during recording to josh us, as is his way.
“Good Country People” centers around a mother and daughter, and their neighbors who are also their farm staff. The characters fall into categories with two very opposing world views. Those world views are tested by a traveling Bible salesman who presents two facades that challenge their sense of order and self.
Anais loved the near-perfect short story and tries her best to raise Gerald and Andy’s enthusiasm. Andy is tickled by the word play in the characters names, and Gerald wishes there was more meat in the plot, despite the fact he enjoyed the writing quite a bit.
We’re also back from our unplanned two month hiatus! We produce this show on our own, and the show’s schedule is very reliant on Anais’s. Want to help us stay on schedule? Share the podcast widely with your friends and family, and support us on Patreon.
Gerald, Andy and Anais discuss “Sole Solution” by Eric Frank Russell, which was submitted by a listener named Mark who also watched the live recording and participated in the discussion through YouTube. Gerald and Andy weren’t as won over by the story. In Andy’s case, he preferred similar stories that followed and explored the same themes and philosophies in more nuanced plots.
Gerald, Andy and Anais discuss “Mr Salary” by Sally Rooney, who has been described as the first great writer of the millennial generation. All three hosts loved Rooney’s style, though Andy had a personal bone to pick! Gerald raised an interesting question about whether or not the author’s politics and worldview are embedded in a text that is ostensibly not political (in so much as anything can be apolitical). Anais does her best to find political meaning.
Reading along with us and have comments of your own? You are welcome to leave them on this website, our join our closed Facebook group for story discussion, The Literary Roadhouse Readers.
