I mentioned previously that these stories don’t seem predictable. Then I made a prediction, and of course was proved wrong. There isn’t something that happens that changes the main character. Rather, nothing happens, and nevertheless she changes - but only in a very subtle internal way.
I found the story hard to follow on first read - not because it was complicated, but rather because of a lot of poetic and unfamiliar vocabulary.
I was set to thinking again about the links between stories. I imagine the hostages sitting listening to the stories, and the next person being inspired or influenced (but sometimes indirectly) by the preceding night. So, last ‘night’ we had the amazing story of the mysterious Consommé-maestro. And here we again have some quite exceptional (in several ways) expertise. The narrator once again is silent witness to the amazing skill of someone in something they had probably never even thought about previously. And there is an effect of that precious encounter - but it is not dramatic, just quiet, and deep.
Hmm certainly the story that I feel is most open to heavy interpretation. Interesting points to me:
she found a connection between the spear throwing and funerals, wild. Her being reminded of her husbands soul flying through the air like the spear.
And it seems she finally made the trip to her brother in another country. To visit for her nieces wedding nontheless. I hope she did enjoy the wedding, sadly the information blurb at the end is unspecific if she was on the return journey or not…
I was hoping for a bigger change during the story but it looks like she made the first step and as she said herself, she can’t go back to the way before.
Difficulty wise it didn’t feel much different to the other weeks.
Late in catching up, alas. I read this story in one shot as it’s easier for me to commit and not fall behind that way.
Did no one else feel like this was lightly erotic? There was quite a bit of discussion of this young man’s muscles/body and prowess I found it interesting also she talks about returning to this field where even though she ages, he remains a young man. There’s also such interesting feelings of loss mingled in with her interpretation of him, like she’s layering her lost husband over him. Definitely the most abstract feeling story thus far.
Initially I thought this was going to turn into a love story, but then she mentioned her age and I was, okay no
Still the description of his body was quite excessive, I thought.
For the story itself, it’s again a description of one of these fleeting moments that stay with us and help us through the hardships of life, and for her the arena turned into a sacred place that gave her strength. I liked the imagery a lot.
I found it interesting also she talks about returning to this field where even though she ages, he remains a young man. There’s also such interesting feelings of loss mingled in with her interpretation of him, like she’s layering her lost husband over him. Definitely the most abstract feeling story thus far.