#872 Ragnarok! The Day the Gods Die- Randall Kenan

#872 Ragnarok! The Day the Gods Die- Randall Kenan

The Reverend Barden has been living in sin. His wife has not given him all he desires, so he has fallen into the arms of another woman. He is ashamed of this bow to temptation, but he is more ashamed of getting caught. His lover is now dying. He has lost his wife, his lover and the respect of his son.

“Who shall hide me now? I have no place to go. I am the living dead denied the grave.”

What does a shamed preacher hang onto. That’s right hope, it’s the only thing left.

“But without hope? He’s like those dried bones full of wind and sound, cut off from his parts. He is not alive but just exists. There is no life without hope. It is hope and only hope which gives his existence meaning.”

Rating: 7-7-8-7 Total= 29

#814 Cornsilk- Randall Kenan

#814 Cornsilk- Randall Kenan

The confusion of youth and passion. Aaron struggles with his first love. All his life he’s tried to recreate that feeling. His quest is for naught, and his fetish, forbidden and taboo, has become his defining characteristic. Only one other knows what it is. He is lost to obsession.

“Am I…scribbling the thoughts of a madman? Or am I merely depraved? Are these the thoughts of a neurotic? A Psychopath? Or am I just more honest than most?”

This whole story is written in twenty-three numbered sections, but they don’t read like chapters. It’s written as a list. I’m not sure why. I don’t understand the decision to do that. It doesn’t add anything and it’s not idiomatic of Kenan’s whole collection of stories. I could write it off as just a one time thing, but why?

Notable Passage: “There is no glory in tax law.”

Rating: 7-6-6-5 Total= 24

#786 The Origin of Whales- Randall Kenan

#786 The Origin of Whales- Randall Kenan

This is just a slice-of-life story. Aunt Essie is over to watch her nephew Thad while his mother is out. She is strict and old school but they have a good time. He argues about having to eat collard greens but is a good boy and eats them. Aunt Essie tells him a funny story about eating greens, an outhouse, and a bear sighting. Then she helps him with his homework. He is learning about evolution and the origin of whales. Aunt Essie isn't sure about all that.

Rating: 7-7-7-6=27