Short Fiction, Poetry and Classic Book Reviews
Harper Lee’s high school reading curriculum staple is told through the eyes of Jean Louise “Scout” Finch, a young girl growing up in 1930s Alabama, where money is scarce and racism is rife. The first half of the story follows the exploits of Scout, her brother Jem, and their friend Dill. We meet charming and... Continue Reading →
“Good morning Ma’am.” “…Good morning.” “Oh, don’t be alarmed—I’m not here selling encyclopaedias and I’m not here to talk religion. I work for a company called Finalsleep, and I’d love to find out how our services could benefit you. I’ll just ask you a few quick questions if I may.” “Uh… Okay.” “Fantastic. My name’s... Continue Reading →
Tristan pulled up outside Edna’s house in white horse-drawn carriage. One magnificent steed, as noble and muscularly defined as Michelangelo’s David (though that’s where the anatomical similarities ended), stood harnessed beside a skinny old nag that resembled a smoked duck. The carriage itself was large and elaborately detailed, like the fancy candles Tristan’s neighbour was... Continue Reading →
A hand large enough, had it had webbed fingers and a tan, to be mistaken for a baseball glove grasped the ice cream from behind the counter. The hand belonged to Vernon Punch. Extending out upon a long, pale arm, Vernon’s hand met Kane and gave him the ice cream. Kane accepted it without a... Continue Reading →
This book took me three years and three attempts to finish. On my first attempt at Volume One of Marcel Proust’s epic masterwork, À la recherche du temps perdu, I failed to get past page three. The writing was difficult and bland, so I gave up. Later I tried again, this time with an English... Continue Reading →
Last year I visited a psychiatrist. He told me some mumbo jumbo about me having unresolved issues, and then said he was going to help me work through them. Ha! That’s rich coming from someone who looks like my stepfather. The quack then charged me a hundred and fifty dollars for the one-hour session! I... Continue Reading →
Gabriel Bernard opened the front door of his shop with the same pride and gratefulness he felt the first time he opened it fourteen years ago. Since that day, his skill had become famous; so too had his Christian faith. Everyone in the community knew that six days a week Gabriel could be found in... Continue Reading →
Kane Jackson had a name that was considered cool. Where Vernon Punch was from, “Kane Jackson” meant “a wart that causes embarrassment”. Kane was a philosophy professor at a college; he stood in front of a room full of people for hours and talked while the people listened. Such a position was considered enviable on... Continue Reading →
Miles of sand stretched out before the old man like a haunted path. The distance blurred in a comfortless haze of sea spray and grey clouds. To his left, tall grass rippled in the wind upon the steep hills, and here and there small white flowers swayed atop wispy stems—hundreds of white flowers across the... Continue Reading →
