Zabel had me in the palm of his hand from the first line. The plot simmers and then boils over. Like Flannery O’Connor, he makes the reader feel both fear and compassion for a broken troubled man. Too many great images like dragonfly eyes and insights to point out, I’d be quoting the entire story.
Wow! This is yet another excellent short story by Richard Zabel. Mr. Zabel expertly crafts details of a rundown Catskill resort from the carpeted ramp to the dusty disco ball as his story slowly unfolds. Every character is like someone I might know, and I feel transported to and actively a part of every scene. Thank you, "Narrative," for making the best writing of our times available freely on the internet!
Vanessa Marsh replied on Tue, 01/14/2025 - 11:13am
Loved this short story by Richard Zabel. The relationship between Iris and her son reminded me of my relationship with my teen. The reference to the mouse liberation front was funny.
Novembre, la tempête, une salle de sport qui n’en est pas vraiment une dans un endroit délabré, une femme abandonnée et son fils et un homme qui n’a rien à faire là. Tous les ingrédients sont réunis pour que cela se termine mal malgré l’humanité des personnages.
Vous ne ressortirez pas intact de cette incroyable histoire.
November, the storm, a gym that isn't really one in a dilapidated place, an abandoned woman and her son and a man who has no business being there. All the ingredients are there for it to end badly despite the humanity of the characters. You won't come out of this incredible story intact.
Carine Vassent replied on Fri, 01/17/2025 - 02:26am
Zabel had me in the palm of his hand from the first line. The plot simmers and then boils over. Like Flannery O’Connor, he makes the reader feel both fear and compassion for a broken troubled man. Too many great images like dragonfly eyes and insights to point out, I’d be quoting the entire story.
Wow! This is yet another excellent short story by Richard Zabel. Mr. Zabel expertly crafts details of a rundown Catskill resort from the carpeted ramp to the dusty disco ball as his story slowly unfolds. Every character is like someone I might know, and I feel transported to and actively a part of every scene. Thank you, "Narrative," for making the best writing of our times available freely on the internet!
Beautiful descriptive writing which kept me engaged—would love to read more from Richard Zabel.
Loved this short story by Richard Zabel. The relationship between Iris and her son reminded me of my relationship with my teen. The reference to the mouse liberation front was funny.
Novembre, la tempête, une salle de sport qui n’en est pas vraiment une dans un endroit délabré, une femme abandonnée et son fils et un homme qui n’a rien à faire là. Tous les ingrédients sont réunis pour que cela se termine mal malgré l’humanité des personnages.
Vous ne ressortirez pas intact de cette incroyable histoire.
November, the storm, a gym that isn't really one in a dilapidated place, an abandoned woman and her son and a man who has no business being there. All the ingredients are there for it to end badly despite the humanity of the characters. You won't come out of this incredible story intact.
Interesting psychological description of Iris. Interesting also to see her introspection!
Wow, lots of adjectives! I don’t mean to use hyperbole, but the story calls mind the artistic use of language in Shakespeare.