Where Are you Going, Where Have You Been

I've read this story before and it so disturbed me the first time that I really didn't want to read it again. It still bothers me.

Water Liars

What immediately stands out to me about this story is Hannah's excellent use of active verbs. The page crawls with them. I loved the ending line. We were both crucified by the truth. I think writers have to be crucified by the truth. It's our fate.

Shiloh

I've read Shiloh several times, but I didn't mind an excuse to read it again. It's one of my favorite short stories of all time, right up there with Good Man is Hard to Find, The Lottery and The Monkey's Paw. Hmm, I wonder if it says anything about me that most of my favorite short stories are written by women.

What I get from Shiloh is female empowerment. When I was going through a divorce, I got it out to read it again and it really resonated with me at that time. Mainly because my ex was so much like Leroy. I even named my dog Shiloh after this short story. I feel that it's really Norma Jean's story and I find it interesting that Mason chose to to tell it through Leroy's POV. I think that choice made it more effective.

The Magic Coins

I enjoyed the story, especially reading about Fort Worth. I really liked the build up. Plenty of rising tension. But I felt the ending was a bit of a let down. I expected more to happen. Not sure what the take away was. There is such a thing as magic?