
Unlike many who have had this experience and took it as proof positive in an afterlife, my dad saw a mere trick of the brain, a common enough cliche he'd been aware of before his own experience, and in the end no different than any other dream.
These memories came to light for me yesterday as I read Susan D. Roger's "A Poor Boy's Piano."
Beginning with a man waking up in an alley, we quickly come to learn something about this man named Roger. He's left his wife, children, and while we might understand waking up alone and hungover in an alley as a bad thing, Roger sees it as liberating. Or maybe he's telling himself that. His arm feels swollen and unnatural. Shortly after waking up he meets a young boy with a recorder-- the flute-like instrument, not a tape-recorder.
It is at this point in the story that it seems to take on a religious, or supernatural air. It's accomplished casually enough-- with a bold and strangely appareled child whose music conjures up a bittersweet childhood memory. Roger himself thinks of the child as an apparition.
The ending, I won't give away, but I question how my father would interpret the story. Despite leading the story a certain way, and clearly toying with interpretations, Rogers does not provide answers one way or the other.
I'm also reminded of the alternate ending in Life of Pi. Sure it was more plausible, but the other's more magical.
Loni reviewed this story last week. Great find, Loni!
(Did you write a story for Short Story Monday? If so, please leave a link in the comments below.)
9 comments:
Interesting post.
Ann
I'm going to have to read this one! It's always interesting to see what memories/life events short stories evoke...
My post this week is a James Thurber story:
http://lakesidemusing.blogspot.com/2011/06/box-to-hide-in-by-james-thurber.html
Hmmm - you've got me intrigued - particularly with the reference to your father. Might have to give this one a read for myself.
Today I reviewed a three story collection by James Le Pore entitled Anyone Can Die".
Sounds like an interesting story, but maybe a little too open-ended for me.
I have another "mystery" this week.
http://carolsnotebook.wordpress.com/2011/06/27/review-trail-of-the-lonesome-stickpin-by-camille-laguire/
I'm intrigued...
Here's my review: http://emeire.wordpress.com/2011/06/27/show-me-yours-…chard-van-camp/
Em
Ha John, I read the same one! I just went back and link your review.
Here's my review: http://teddyrose.blogspot.com/2011/06/poor-boys-piano-by-susan-d-rogers.html
My father had a comparable experience during surgery, oddly enough, and had a similar reaction to it. Naturally I must now read this short story.
Glad you enjoyed the story. I think you got more out of it than I did.
Loni: But then, it triggered a personal memory for me, so it probably resonated more.
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