Tag: Sad

Book Review: “Flowers for Algernon” by Daniel Keyes

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Daniel Keyes’s Flowers for Algernon marks my fourth read of the year.

And my god did this book ruin me. I underestimated how much Charlie and Algernon’s tale would touch my soul.

Charlie, a man with severe learning difficulties, volunteers for groundbreaking surgery. Surgery that the researchers have only—thus far—performed on mice. But as the most successful mouse test subject begins to fade, all eyes turn to Charlie.

Beautiful, heartbreaking, through-provoking, profound. What can I say about Keyes’s novel that others haven’t already? If you still need to read it, I assure you it’s worth your time.

Flowers for Algernon is a classic for a reason.

‘I Am That Which Rustles the Leaves’: A Halloween Poem

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Hey there! Told you I had more to come — I think this is a first, for me, writing something for more than one of the Reedsy prompts. The Spooky Season is my favourite, so I thought I’d go all out — along with my daily Bite-Sized Horrors!

This next one was written for the prompt, “Write about someone’s first Halloween as a ghost.” I didn’t intend to write a poem, but that’s what felt most natural to write — it’s still a story, of course, but with a slightly crooked rhyming scheme.

The title of this poem/story is I Am That Which Rustles the Leaves, and you can read it here on WordPress, or over on my Reedsy profile!

‘Living and Dying in 42 Beachley Street’: An apocalyptic story written during lockdown

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We’re halfway through July. How the hell are we halfway through July!? The year is just flying past, isn’t it? I guess that can be mostly (but not completely) attributed to the pandemic and the ensuing lockdown.

Appropriately, this next one was written in the middle of lockdown, for the contest Close to Home. I chose the prompt, “Write a story about two neighbours talking from their yards, windows, balconies, etc.” The title of my story is Living and Dying in 42 Beachley Street, and you can read it here on WordPress or over on my Reedsy profile.

I held my breath as the silhouette of the little old lady turned around at the sound of my veranda door opening, then sighed internally when she waved cheerfully in my direction.

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I really like this one, and it’s actually the kinda vibe I’m going for in my current WIP (stay tuned…). I hope you guys liked it! Until next time — be careful of your zombie neighbours.