How I Met My Husband

I really enjoyed Alice Munro's short story How I Met My Husband. I would Definitely recommend it to someone else. I felt like I could relate to the main character Edie. I feel as though many women would relate to Edie as well. When you are younger,you are naive. You have hope for love and when you think you have it,you believe it will never end. I know when I was younger I wasted too much time and energy on the wrong "men",much like Chris Watters. "Men" who never followed through on their promises. Like Edie I lost faith in the idea love.

Much to my surprise...I met my husband when I least expected it. I wasn't looking for love,but it sure found me. My husband restored my faith in men,and made me realize they are not all the same.

Looking back it is funny how things turn out. We now have 2 children. Clayton 4 years old and Lauren 6 months old. I hope to teach my son and daughter respect,not only for themselves but for people throughout their lives.

"Treat others the way you want to be treated"

Submitted by Alyssa Rutherford

Sonny's Blues & Fire

Baldwins story Sonny"s Blues was really interesting to me. It reminded me of a book I read entitled "The Corner", the story was a year in the life of an inner city neighborhood, the corner was in Baltimore. The story was similar to that of Sonny trying to escape from the streets of Harlem, without addiction or a record. Like Sonny, most of the characters in The Corner did not escape unscathed from Baltimore, they did not escape at all. Just attempt after attempt to clean up their act, only to fall victim to the drug and street life once again. I find reading about these people sad yet captivating. I found I could not put the textbook down until I finished the story of Sonny and his brother and I found that I actually wanted to read more and find out what happened next. It was sort of a tease, did Sonny straighten up? Did his music provide him an out? Did he remain a victim of Harlem forever? What about his relationship with his brother? Many unanswered questions.......

The story "To Build A Fire" was also another one to captivate me, I was suprized how much I was rooting for the dog in the story and how little sympathy I felt for the man. Does that make me a bad human being or a huge animal fan? I actually think if the man was a nicer person and was not so mean to the dog I would have felt sorry for him, however, it is hard to feel compassion for an arrogant animal abuser. I do hate that he froze to death, a horrible price to pay for anyone, but I was relieved that the dog survived.

Submitted by Margaret Russo

Pilots and Pianos

I enjoyed reading Alice Munro’s How I Met My Husband. I liked how she portrayed the characters in the story, even the annoying, nosy Loretta Bird. It was easy to get into the story and follow Edie’s memories. I felt sympathetic towards Edie, up until she comes to the conclusion about the letter. I don’t think you can blame her for what happens. She’s young and mostly naïve, which gets her into even worse trouble back at the house when Alice finds out. She’s asked if they were intimate, and Edie answers yes, thinking it just means kissing. Edie does come out of the situation for the better, though. Although at first she waits for the letter, she doesn't wait forever, and she meets her husband because of it.

I would probably recommend this to someone to read, and I wouldn’t mind reading other stories by Alice Munro.
Sonny’s Blues, on the other hand, I had trouble getting into. I am not quite sure why, but it took me a bit. At first I didn’t like it, and put the book down for a few days, then came back to it and started over. In the end I did enjoy it, especially the last part (from where Sonny and his brother are in the apartment, to the end). I would try reading something else by James Baldwin.

Submitted by Jessica Rais

Sonny's Blues

My favorite short story so far was "Sonny's Blues." I loved how the brother told the story from his point of view but in the end we got to see it a bit more from Sonny's point of view. I had a cousin who died of a heroine overdose so this story put her story into perspective for me. Everyone has a reason for the things they do, its just that we don't always know or understand what the reasoning is. People struggle with addictions everyday but I could never fully understand why my cousin did what she did. Addicts have a hard time seeing their lives without their addiction, which is probably the hardest thing to overcome. So this story was extremely enlightening for me in that respect.

Submitted by Lauren Pike

10 for Sonny

Hello, everyone!

On the scale 1 to 10 "Sonny's Blues" gets 10 plus! It is hard to be very specific about the reasons for it, but it is definitely the story that touched me the most. Feels that it's extremely relevant to the times we live in, and although I personally cannot relate to the drug addiction theme, the pain the older brother feels for Sonny breaks my heart. Maybe because I also have an older brother... Do you think that the narrator had done enough to prevent Sonny from going down the hill? Or there was nothing at all that he could have done and it was bound to happen regardless of all his efforts? I tend to think there wasn't much the older brother could had done. We all have our own journeys to travel and Sonny was so set on his...It must be quite a burden for someone in their early twenties to become a role model and a caregiver to a younger sibling. I would be scared to death...And what about your own expectations, plans, etc.? I think the narrator took his mother's words too literally. All she was asking for was "to hold on to your brother" meaning not to loose the connection with him. By making it his own responsibility not to let anything happen to Sonny, the narrator made his load so much heavier.

The events in the story feel very real to me, as something that could be happening in your own family. Real issues, real fears, real losses.

This is my first reading of James Baldwin...But definitely not the last.

Submitted by Aksana Norman

Short Story of the Month club

My top two picks are definitely the A&P by John Updike, and The Storm by Kate Chopin. First I’ll talk about the A&P, if you like stories based in the 1950s era, this is a story for you. I could almost feel Sammy’s frustrations throughout entire story. The setting was clearly defined by the author even though I never lived in the 1950s reading this story made me feel like I had. The way you know how the town’s people are, president upon president generation after generation centered on conservative and uptight views of life in general. Clearly setting the tone describing the beautiful girls and their mysterious clothing, as for today, if girls were to walk into a store dressed like that no one would even turn around and bat an eye. And the reason its acceptable today are because of more and more Sammy’s in the world. You could completely feel the intolerance of everyone in that store, except for Sammy felt towards the girls. The author did a great job of painting such a clear picture of the story, made me feel like I rooted for Sammy, questioning society and its harsh judgment on individuality. I am already trying to find more stories by John Updike. Another fan favorite for me was The Storm by Kate Chopin. The author in my opinion makes me feel like 2 wrongs make a right. Now generally I am not for adultery, but you feel like the only way Calixta could be happy, and Alcee could feel secure with him with his family being away would be for this growing lust over many years. My favorite line in the whole story, without giving too much away is the very last line, “so the storm passed and everyone was happy.” It sets the tone for the author’s originality to let the weather set the tone for each up and down of this story. I believe that he is referring the author is trying to get across that every character and this story benefited from a usual family wrecking event to something more beautiful and earth shattering.

Submitted by Jennifer Morgan

Normal Appearances

The Storm by Kate Chopin is about the normal appearances of a woman performing her wifely and motherly duties. A raging storm brings an old friend to her doorstep. The sexual tension and conflicts that develops through out the encounter are comparable to the sexual tendencies of adolescence in high school. Passion, lust, and desire are not only part of human sexuality, but are primal. It does not matter what century you live in, human nature is sexually active. Whether you act on your sexuality or suppressed it that is a personal matter. Chopin wrote about females and their sexuality when it was inappropriate in society. I was surprised reading this short story. Chopin was a head of her time and she knew it. Kudos!

Submitted by Kate Misler

Ernest Hemingway, A Clean, Well-Lighted Place

I honestly did not enjoy reading this story. The style of his writing was sort of hard to follow and wasn't very clear as to who was speaking when. I think i would've enjoyed it more if he had used a different style of writing.

Submitted by Keiley Mays

Sonny's Sleepy Story Gives Me The Blues

I actually enjoyed all the short stories that I've read so far except for this one. I didn't care for this story at all. As a matter of fact, I not only lost interest, but it was hard for me to continue reading and to concentrate regarding the theme and important details of the story. I understand how the author was trying to show us the differences between the brothers and that the expression of music is an art in itself, but the story line dragged in many spots. If I didn't have to write about this story, I definitely would not have finished reading it. In general, I love to read so I would like to read something else from this author just to see if maybe this just wasn't his best work.

Submitted by Cindylou Lyons

A&P and Fire

I enjoyed the short stories “A&P” and “To Build a Fire.” One reason I enjoyed “A&P,” was because I identified with Sammy. Although I have not rebelled in this way, I have felt the need to be more independent. I also identified with the phase where teenagers think adults are old fashioned, out of touch with times and don’t “get it.” Even though Sammy lived in the 1960's, teenagers are still going through the same struggles to become independent and grow up. “To Build a Fire,” brought out some anger in me. I was initially angry with the nameless man because he was arrogant and tried to kill the dog. After reading many of post on our discussion forum, I came to understand why the man tried to kill the dog. I also realized that although the man was arrogant, his greatest weakness was probably his naivety. I believe if we are faced with life and death situations we might do something we wouldn’t think we were capable of doing. I once saw a series on Discovery Channel on how people have survived in unbelievable situations. In one episode, a man stranded at sea for more than a month, ate the eyes of fish to survive because he knew he couldn’t drink the sea water. I thought how disgusting that was, but realized he was using his survival instincts. I suppose most of us faced with these kinds of situations would come to the point where we’d do the same thing.

Submitted by Kelsey Hynes

Enjoyed A Clean, Well Lighted Place

I really enjoyed reading A Clean, Well-Lighted Place by Ernest Hemingway. I thought it was interesting how the older waiter had made connections with the old man. He seemed to really understand him and sympathize with him. I agree with the waiter that a clean, pleasant, well-lit café IS a sanctuary for those that want to escape the dark and nothingness. Bars could not possibly help someone in that state of mind. It’s an escape.
I also liked Hemingway’s style of writing. The conversation was short and to the point however had deeper meaning. I had to read the story a few times to realize why people needed the café. I would without a doubt recommend this selection to someone else. It’s a short, interesting story that will give you an insight and understanding to those bums that like to stay late at cafés. I would read another work by Hemingway. His style of writing is short and involves conversations. I enjoy reading short stories that are quite short but still interesting.

Submitted by Shelley Hun

THE OTHER ONE’S WHO HURT

Out of all the short stories I have read thus far, “Sonny’s Blues” was the story that I found myself relating to. This short story told the story of heroin addiction from the other side, which ultimately is my side. My side, because I have dealt with having someone in my life who was a heroin addict. My cousin, who is like my sister, was an addict for five years. Reading this story made old emotions arise again. My cousin has been clean for nine months now, but anyone who knows about heroin addiction knows that that can change in an instant.

I have never been one to really understand the whys and the hows of addicts and I have never heard anyone else’s story from my side before reading this short story. Although this was only a story, as I read it, I felt like finally there is someone else out there who knows what it feels like to go through what I have. This story explained the darkness that we, the other ones, feel.

I try like the older brother did, to talk to my cousin about the addiction, but ultimately I like Sonny’s older brother will never truly understand. The only thing we understand that there are other one’s who hurt, other than our addict love ones.

I was thinking of having my cousin read this story. I know she has no idea what it feels like to be in my shoes and maybe this short story would shed some light. I know this story will not “cure” her, but the only thing I can do is hope, just like Sonny’s brother hopes that that piano and that music will somehow “cure” Sonny….

Submitted by Samantha Graziano

The genius of a short story

When I read Jack London's To Build A Fire I knew I would like the story from the first paragraph to the last sentence because it has to do with something I personally find interesting which is Survival. I watch Bear Grylls Man vs Wild and some other survival shows and have learned to respect the elements because unlike people the elements don't care whether you live or die and if you can avoid situations where you could be stranded and possibly die. For example don't jump out of a perfectly good plane only to parachute to the ground because there is always that off chance the parachute won't open. In the story To Build A Fire the title is perfect for the story I couldn't think of a better name for it, the man who is trying to make it to the mining camp fails to build a fire which causes him to die. I would recommend this story to anyone who wants to read about adventure, life, death, irony, this story has a lot of good qualities to it and is strongly written it is truly one of the best short stories I have ever read and should serve as a professional example for anyone studying English. I have read White Fang and Call of the Wild both written by Jack London he seemed to go through a period of writing about adventure I think partially because he was born in California in 1876 which wasn't long after the California Gold Rush of 1848. Even today anything having to do with adventure and money on television does well Gold Rush on Discovery channel which is about Americans who are out of work traveling to Alaska to dig for gold and hopefully strike it rich and Storage Wars which is about people who buy storage units at auction an only hope there are riches to be found within the storage unit.

Submitted by Robert Fisk

Laura's Take on How I Met My Husband

I really like Alice Munroe's, How I Met My Husband. I liked the author's style of writing because she made the story enjoyable and easy to read. I would recommend this story to adolescent teens because I feel that they could relate to the character Edie who is very young, inexperienced and naive about life. At the end of the story the reader is able to see Edie's character start to mature and realize that Chris, the man she thought she was in love with, was not going to send her a letter and he never intended to send one. I think that the readers will be able to learn an important message in this story which is to not let people take advantage of your naivety. I would definitely read more of her stories because iIfeel that she writes things so that the reader such as me can relate.

Submitted by Laura Farley

In(Human)e Survival

My favorite story we have read so far is To Build a Fire by Jack London. The story shows human ignorance at his best. The man made the decision to go off on his own even after he was told by a wiser man who had traveled the trail before not to go. He thought he was indestructible and it was proven that mother nature was able to take him down. I feel that the man in this story represents a lot of people in this world. Also in the story when the man decided he was going to attempt to kill his dog for survival which was his only reasonable choice to beat death. But he had made this decision too late he was already too frozen because he was too stubborn to make multiple stops and build a fire to thaw out. It angered me when he was going to kill the dog because I find that very inhumane but it was a life and death choice. I found the story itself to be a very interesting one.

Submitted by Stephanie Corbett

A Clean, Well Lighted Place

A Clean, Well Lighted Place by Ernest Hemingway is story about an older man who visits a cafe on a daily basis. He sits there alone and drinks brandy until he is so drunk that he passes out. He is a well kept man and isn't much of a bother at all, except to one of the younger waiters. This young waiter believes the man is a nuisance. He is incredibly rude to the man and for no reason other than he is selfish man that wants to go home. I waitressed before and I can most certainly understand the frustration of having a late night customer that ties up your table and keeps you from getting home. Never though, have I ever treated anyone the way this young waiter treated this older man. I was appalled at rude remarks, especially when he said he should have killed himself. The audacity of this young boy to think that he was any better or more important was quite shocking. You never know what another person has been through that gets them to the place they are today. I believe you should treat people the same, if not better, than the way you would like to be treated. I think the young waiters behavior was completely uncalled for. The other waiter, who is older can empathize with the man. He understands that sometimes you need a home away from home. A place to feel comfortable and collect your thoughts. I very much like the fact that he stood up for the man and plead his case, even though the young waiter still didn't care. I enjoyed reading this story by Hemingway. I think that it was well written and makes you think. I have always heard good things about Hemingway and his works, however I haven't read much by him. I remember having to read "The Old Man and the Sea" by Hemingway as a summer reading assignment in high school. I thought it was the most boring book ever and it kind of turned me away from his work. I was less than thrilled when I found out I was reading something else by him but it turns out I enjoyed it. Perhaps I will try reading something by him again, maybe even "The Old Man and the Sea." I'm older now and my perspective on things have changed, I think I might enjoy it. Interesting that I think that, especially since how the way you view things when your older is different from when your younger is one of the themes of the story.

I found an adaption of this story. I think they did a pretty good job with it. I hope everyone enjoys.

Submitted by Christina Carbone

His Pride Killed Him

This traveler creates so many errors. Not only did he disregard the guidance of the old-timer from Sulphur Creek, who cautioned him that "no man must travel alone in the Klondike after fifty below", but he also makes every determination to diminish his probabilities of triumph. He could have decided not to take part in this journey and he could have turned back. His central flaws were not remaining put long enough and not preparing himself adequately for his travel. His downright major blunder was making the journey at all. In the end it was his pride that killed him. He thought he would have nothing to worry about and could do it alone. Instead of bringing a partner alongside him, he decided to bring a husky that didn’t help him when he needed it.

Submitted by Diane Caimares

Max, mein Husky

I both liked and disliked "To Build A Fire." I liked the main character without giving regard to his poor sense of judgement in the beginning when he decided to travel without a partner and only a husky. I'm a huge fan of science and engineering, so I love finding out the way things work before their actual meaning as the man in the story did. I enjoyed the story until he pushed the husky ahead of him to test the ice and make sure it wouldn't break underneath his feet. My sympathy then changed for him because I truly felt bad when his fire went out, and I then realized he was too ignorant to have followed the advice of a native to the environment in which he traveled. I became disgusted when he decided it was a good idea to try to kill the husky, and although it was a bummer that he ended up dying, I'm glad the husky survived in the end. I had a husky growing up and feel that dogs are equal to humans, and should not be sacrificed for human survival whatsoever.
I would totally recommend this story to anyone, especially husky lovers (for the end!), as I found it to be a great read. I'd love to read other stories by Jack London. I really enjoyed his writing style.

Submitted by Justine Budesky

Unfaithful

“The Storm” was a complex short story about temptation and relationships. I am not sure that I would read another story by Chopin because her writing style lacked detail and was confusing at times. I found that I had to read the story twice to fully understand the connection between all of the characters. However I was intrigued by the significance of the storm. I found it interesting that the storm was the base of the whole story as it shows that Mother Nature can have a powerful impact on people’s emotions. The storm separated Alcee from her family brought back what appeared to be an old lust into her life, but once the storm passed she was back with her family as if Calixta was never with her. This story reminds me of the movie Unfaithful because the wife in the story gives in to a temptation just as Calixta does. Unfaithful Movie Trailer.

This picture below makes me think of this story because although this girl is trapped outside and Calixta was inside safe from the storm, they are both escaping reality.

Submitted by Ryan Bent

Growing up is hard to do, especially when your hearts the one that wants to lag behind

The short story that I liked the most was How I Met My Husband, BY Alice Monroe. And its not because I am a hopeless romantic because Im not. I think love is ridiculous and cruel, but at the same time the possibilities are endless and when worked at a pretty little tulip can evolve. :)

What i liked the most about this story was the experiences that Edie had and the way she grew from it. Loving someone or something is never pointless even when it fails, you take something from every experience you encounter and you grow. Some people continue to make the same mistakes, and only because they forget in the pain to look for the whats, the whys and the "ok im going to move ons". But eventually as we get older and time takes what is rightfully its own we look back a understand why our hearts are the way they are.

As a young mother, love has tricked me :) and thats ok, Because it took me a few times, I literally have grown and evolved to a person I can say I know. I can say I understand myself and I know whats best for me. Edie had this happen to her, and far quicker (good for her).

Edie thought she loved Chris Watters and she probably did, in her 15 year old heart, he made her feel special, that maybe she could belong with him, and she was going to wait. Not only did she wait, she had so much hope and she was happy. She was experiencing a part of life that is imperative to self discovery. Chris Watters let her down, and eventually she knew and accepted that.

What was so good to read was the moment she realized she was better then waiting, that she was stronger then that, that she was gonna live and then love. No more waiting, the moment she did make the realization there he was, the man she was going to marry. She just didn't know it yet. Her eyes were so fixed on this letter that was never going to come that she didn't see that her heart belong to the one who never failed to bring it. Each day she smiled at that mail carrier even though to her he was bringing disappointment. With her eyes wide and ready for the world she realized he was bringing her love and a happy life.

I was thrilled with this because not only did she find self discovery, her ability to understand love and life grew beyond its limits and she discovered what love really is about. Chris watters was something she had to experience to grow, to learn. So it was not in vain that she experiences all those emotions, it was all a part of this circle of life. I know it sounds lame but it is true. As we live, we love, we lose and we love again and then someday as our days end we look back and we remember all the love, and thats really all that matters.

Submitted by Monica Baker