I appreciated the specific detail about the country (the cooks and drivers, the traffic) and also the analysis of the inevitable rise of the goons. Really love the online post style; fits the story perfectly and tone rings true.
I'm not an artist with words, so I can only say that this piece has that ineluctable hotness to it. So good. In my humble little opinion, this is the kind of short story that should be winning awards. But award-giving bodies would probably need more literary sophistry and superficiality to be convinced. With your increased clout now, I hope that changes.
This story shows me a lot of my own country, and of Pakistan, and of certain Southeast Asian nations. That does not matter, of course. As you write, this pattern is prevalent in many countries right now.
I'm curious about how you balance the limits of the persona's POV and interiority. From what I've seen, people with this persona's background and self-awareness often make it a point of pride to rebel: to refuse the prestigious American schooling, to refuse the position offered by Anwen's father, to refuse to join the bullies. Let's face it, there is no real personal benefit for the persona to to go against the tide; only ego would. But other than his teenage horniness, the persona does not seem to have much of an inflated ego or sense of grandeur. Yet he has reached the point where he can see the inconsistencies and lies, even in his own parents' denial. There are also no indications that he was previously involved with more "grounded" people. So where is all this hyper self-awareness realistically coming from?
Or maybe I'm demanding too much realism. I'm reminded of O. Henry's "The Poet and the Peasant." I'm trying to curb the poet's habit now and learning to write like the Conants of this world who make bank.
"Under real fascism, when you mention the word 'fascism' people will either do one of two things: a) fall silent and ignore you; or b) immediately start arguing with you about the meaning of the word 'fascist' and all the many ways your own society doesn't resemble Hitler's Germany at all."
Is this already option b) ? 😋
Or would you argue the speaker is confused and not the author?
Sure, it’s true that people can use “just asking questions” disingenuously. But pointing to that fact can’t be used to completely shut down an important issue like whether someone accusing people of fascism knows what the term means. Particularly in this case where the word is used a zillion times without a nod to a sense of what it means, let alone a definition.
Starting around 2015, people brandished the words fascism and Nazi in a completely indiscriminate manner. “Anyone I don’t like is a fascist.” So I have no scruples about asking for a hint of precision.
I should also point out that it’s ludicrous to say that under “true fascism,” like the regime of Saddam Hussein, people get into arguments about the meaning of the term – they’re too scared. They avoid politics, except when they’re forced to show loyalty to the regime, which they duly do. 🤦♂️
I appreciated the specific detail about the country (the cooks and drivers, the traffic) and also the analysis of the inevitable rise of the goons. Really love the online post style; fits the story perfectly and tone rings true.
Does this occur within the "Unbearable Lightness of Being in Aberystwyth" extended universe?
This is just plain wonderful -- otherworldly but right here and now. You managed something truly difficult.
I'm not an artist with words, so I can only say that this piece has that ineluctable hotness to it. So good. In my humble little opinion, this is the kind of short story that should be winning awards. But award-giving bodies would probably need more literary sophistry and superficiality to be convinced. With your increased clout now, I hope that changes.
This story shows me a lot of my own country, and of Pakistan, and of certain Southeast Asian nations. That does not matter, of course. As you write, this pattern is prevalent in many countries right now.
I'm curious about how you balance the limits of the persona's POV and interiority. From what I've seen, people with this persona's background and self-awareness often make it a point of pride to rebel: to refuse the prestigious American schooling, to refuse the position offered by Anwen's father, to refuse to join the bullies. Let's face it, there is no real personal benefit for the persona to to go against the tide; only ego would. But other than his teenage horniness, the persona does not seem to have much of an inflated ego or sense of grandeur. Yet he has reached the point where he can see the inconsistencies and lies, even in his own parents' denial. There are also no indications that he was previously involved with more "grounded" people. So where is all this hyper self-awareness realistically coming from?
Or maybe I'm demanding too much realism. I'm reminded of O. Henry's "The Poet and the Peasant." I'm trying to curb the poet's habit now and learning to write like the Conants of this world who make bank.
Not convinced you understand what fascism is.
To quote the text:
"Under real fascism, when you mention the word 'fascism' people will either do one of two things: a) fall silent and ignore you; or b) immediately start arguing with you about the meaning of the word 'fascist' and all the many ways your own society doesn't resemble Hitler's Germany at all."
Is this already option b) ? 😋
Or would you argue the speaker is confused and not the author?
Sure, it’s true that people can use “just asking questions” disingenuously. But pointing to that fact can’t be used to completely shut down an important issue like whether someone accusing people of fascism knows what the term means. Particularly in this case where the word is used a zillion times without a nod to a sense of what it means, let alone a definition.
Starting around 2015, people brandished the words fascism and Nazi in a completely indiscriminate manner. “Anyone I don’t like is a fascist.” So I have no scruples about asking for a hint of precision.
I should also point out that it’s ludicrous to say that under “true fascism,” like the regime of Saddam Hussein, people get into arguments about the meaning of the term – they’re too scared. They avoid politics, except when they’re forced to show loyalty to the regime, which they duly do. 🤦♂️
Love this narrator, and I can hear his voice. His country is so familiar!