Discussion Notes: The Wig

Find this week’s story here: The Wig by Han Dong.

Next week’s story: The Story of the Girl Whose Birds Flew Away by Bushra al-Fadil.

Rated: Explicit

The Literary Roadhouse hosts, minus Rammy, discuss The Wig by Han Dong. Maya loved the story, and got a lot out of what it says about our obsession with presentation. However, despite her best efforts, she couldn’t convince Gerald to love it too. Meanwhile, Anais really enjoyed the visuals, and other aspects which were enhanced by an interview with the author which she discusses on the show. For aspiring writers, pay attention to how the author introduces and draws a character that would unlikable in less deft hands.

Finally, and perhaps unsurprisingly, the game is about…wigs!

Did we miss a crucial piece of this story? Tell us below! Or on Twitter @litroadhouse or on our Facebook page.

Also, don’t forget to rate the story! For the history of our goofy system, see Anais’ post “Read Short Stories or Ray Bradbury Cries.” On a scale of 1-6 Bradberries, how do you rate this story? Tell us in the comments below or via voicemail.

Lastly, your reviews on iTunes help us grow. Please search Literary Roadhouse in iTunes and leave reviews for all of our shows.

2 comments on The Wig | Han Dong | Literary Roadhouse Ep 107

  1. Richard Dennis says:

    Thanks but I will decline the invitation to reveal my insecurities. I will, however, reveal my dislike for the story. I agree with Gerald. To me, there wasn’t much to it. A guy gets a wig, wears it because he thinks it makes him look good, nobody notices it, it gets uncomfortable and wears out, and he plans to get rid of it. Oh, and he insults the girl he is sleeping with.

    Reading this story was like watching some awkward video on YouTube where some guy embarrasses himself for the supposed amusement or edification of others. I get the point, but, um, ….

    To Maya’s point about the value of works like this from international writers (as opposed to the works produced for more rigid contemporary US literary journals, well yeah, some journals are pretty tight-assed and rigid, but not all. Donald Barthelme managed to get lots of stuff published that blasts through the conventions. But to me, it’s like appreciating abstract art. I’m not necessarily impressed by the mere fact it is abstract. And in this story, I don’t see much that needed to be said, either conventionally or otherwise.

    1. How had I missed this comment before! A story you didn’t like, I think this is the first time. 🙂

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