Thursday, March 19, 2015

A short story review

Hello, I recently read a short story by Rick Bragg called "All Over but the Shoutin". It can be bought here http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/all-over-but-the-shoutin-rick-bragg/1100619483?ean=9780679774020.  I thought the story was bitter sweet and highlighted the authors troubled origins. Many emotions are presented, Regret, Pity, hatred and Love. The author successfully paints a visual image in the readers mind about the environment, culture, time and emotional conflict. 
Both characters resonate with me because I of personal experiences that I have had. The author who is telling the story through his eyes,  clearly torn between the reality and abuses from his past and the current pitiable state of his estranged father. The father oblivious to the pain he caused his loved ones.  The father also proabably knows he doesn’t have much time left. My mind goes to cerosis of the liver due to the mention of alcoholism and descriptions the fatherss physical appearance.
What I have taken most from this story is that all actions have consequenes. Learning to deal with difficult situations and choosing a coping method that does not harm others. The actions we take in this life really do echo down through time one person effecting the next in a chain reaction of life. Seeing time through this lens puts smaller issues in their place and puts important  consequential issues at the forefront of the mind where they belong.

                                                                        Jacob Hollar

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