Blog #6
Between William Lychak’s “Stolpeslad” or Ashlee Adam’s “Bird Feed”, initially, I was going to pick “Bird Feed” after first reading both stories. I understood it better and the language didn’t annoy me as much (sometimes, it seemed as though Lychak’s piece was missing some of the words, it’s hard to read other people’s bad grammar. Even though I clearly don’t have any issue with not proofing my own writing and submitting things with atrocious grammar). Also, I didn’t really feel like the second person thing was working in “Stolpestad”. I wanted it to be written in either first or third person. The young woman narrator in “Bird Feed” was relatable, sympathetic, and honest. I dug it. But then I got bored with it. It was a touching story, but my thoughts went back to “Stolpestad” after reading “Bird Feed”. That dad… skeevy. He pissed me off. Why would someone go back to tell them that the favor he had done for them had gone awry? Also, the comment, even though taken back, about using the collar on the police officer’s wife? So inappropriate. I loved the name Goliath for a dog, my dog is named Grendel (and it suits him). I couldn’t help but think about how if would feel to see him in the same condition as Goliath. It hurt. The image of her dying into the weeds, a slow and painful death, being eaten by insects with intestines coming out and mangled legs, it was almost too aggressive. But the image and the feeling that went along with the last scene, with the police officer standing in the yard was stronger for me. It was filled with pity and hurt. It had a bigger impact than the stifled life of the “Bird Feed” gal ever could.
I also thought that it was really inappropriate that the man said he could use the collar on his wife. I mean, the policeman was clearly upset about the dog and it just seemed really out of place.
Exactly my feelings. “Bird Feed” just doesn’t interest me as much as “Stolpestad,” in part because “Stolpestad” is written so brilliantly. (I’m curious — where’s the bad grammar?)
And you’re also right about the final scene: it offends, it breaks our hearts, it’s everything at once. The entire story is aggressive and beautiful at the same time, and that’s part of what I like about it.
Good post. I enjoyed reading it.