tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9878002.post5378450473639909504..comments2024-03-29T01:01:11.212-05:00Comments on PERPETUAL FOLLY: The New Yorker: "Ash" by Roddy DoyleUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9878002.post-50199453172426911862010-06-06T08:11:25.323-05:002010-06-06T08:11:25.323-05:00I was surprised by the timeliness of the story, to...I was surprised by the timeliness of the story, too, but above anything I was stunned to see this story get to the TNY. It was but a wisp of a tale, which clawed its way in by indulging in sentimental subjects. All that I liked was the ending, which could be a story in itself, starting with the line "--Amazing." You would just need to add a dash of backstory. Those paragraphs express the most poignant part of the narrative. I construed Ciara's last line as a way to try to tell the girls that her departure wouldn't hurt them. Of course it would, but Ciara is trying to convince herself that it won't, in order to spare herself the guilt.<br /><br />Perhaps the most noteworthy aspect of the story for me was a matter of punctuation: I enjoyed seeing those Joycean em dashes used for dialogue.F. Escobarhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14518434944616309743noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9878002.post-26282692785051121402010-06-04T10:56:58.372-05:002010-06-04T10:56:58.372-05:00hmm... I had a different reaction to the ending - ...hmm... I had a different reaction to the ending - Ciara taking the lead on the conversation and saying that the ash won't hurt - I took it to mean that she would probably stay - and that the dust from the momentary eruption in the relation would settle. But I can see your reaction too (which makes Ciara, I think, particularly unpleasant for saying that to the kids.)<br /><br />And agree about the rest. I thought the voice and style was lively and engaging but... aside from the story being so of-the-moment, there wasn't much to it, and it felt too simple at the end - and the ash/eruption as a metaphor for the relationship - also too easy.readernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9878002.post-6451612391834924142010-05-27T18:27:16.642-05:002010-05-27T18:27:16.642-05:00I too am glad you're continuing to "revie...I too am glad you're continuing to "review" <i>New Yorker</i> short stories. I think they/it/the magazine ought to guarantee you a timely delivery (though I'm usually a week behind anyway). In particular, I appreciate your pointing out that the fraternal banter is the best part of the story. After you wrote that, I realized it was true ... entertaining in itself, the banter, and deftly revealing the characters and their relationship.Timhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09257203824962491470noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9878002.post-47415501722491004022010-05-27T10:42:44.232-05:002010-05-27T10:42:44.232-05:00"shouldn't have to" = "should n..."shouldn't have to" = "should not be required to" -- this is distinct from its auxiliary function<br /><br />I definitely think the last lines of the story are key, and I think they make it clear that the ash has only temporarily stopped things. Once it falls--and falling won't hurt--things will get back to normal, meaning that Ciara will leave.<br /><br />I intend to keep writing about the stories. Thanks for reading and commenting.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05886890881221225553noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9878002.post-9497786036034700132010-05-27T10:29:23.437-05:002010-05-27T10:29:23.437-05:00I thought you wouldn't bother to write about N...I thought you wouldn't bother to write about New Yorker's stories anymore. I'm glad you still do. <br /><br />As for the story, I think the last 8 lines is somehow significant: when Kevin looks at Ciara or when he says "things will get back to 'normal' when the ash drifts away. Or fall" and, above all, Ciara's negative answer to the child's question whether ash fall hurts. They all sound like the ash is serving as a symbol. What do you think?<br /><br />By the way, what is this "I shouldn't have to." that you used in your post and I sometimes hear people say? Can two modal verbs be used in succession? (or perhaps it is the not-heard-of "should have + infinitive" construction)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com