My eighth short story
Over the summer, Friday has been the day that I’ve posted a new short story in my new writing phase and today is no exception.
I’ve now posted my eighth short story which is about relationships and is called “The Dinner Party”.
Please check it out and let me know what you think.
September 11th, 2009 at 12:50 pm
Just read “The Dinner Party” – which is now my favourite. Very good.
September 11th, 2009 at 1:02 pm
A good one, Roger. Nice twist at the end.
September 11th, 2009 at 10:53 pm
Saw it coming.
Well written.
September 13th, 2009 at 11:08 pm
Loved it! Thanks for a great read! I shall share it… gave me a good giggle.
September 14th, 2009 at 9:35 pm
Just read the dinner party. It rings true. As a matter of fact, long before I met my wife, a couple who were good friends of mine were going through a rough patch. I was trying to help patch things up, and was spending time with both. Some people thought I was spending too much time with the wife and their small son (the husband moved out, he stayed with me for a few days, then got his own place), the rumor-mongering started. In the end they patched things up, but our friendship was lost . . .
September 14th, 2009 at 10:51 pm
Brilliant – really enjoyed it! Now what are you trying to tell me???
September 15th, 2009 at 6:21 pm
Your short stories all have interesting twists and deal with a wide variety of scenarios. I am enjoying them.
The subject of ‘A Moment in Time’ is quite challenging but I do think ‘The Dinner Party’ really would make a good TV drama.
September 17th, 2009 at 4:12 pm
I make a point of reading the short stories when they appear on your email alert and have enjoyed them all.
I enjoyed the meditations on relationships in the recent story about the dinner party.
September 18th, 2009 at 10:20 am
Roger – another good effort which works since it raises questions and issues which aren’t resolved within the story: what was the future for Tom and Clare? How much did Gail exploit Tom’s obvious weakness for attractive women (her in particular) to protect her affair and, possibly her marriage? Did they really never see each other again?
Some of the detail around the dinner party – the detail of the food courses, for example – creates a little tension within the pace of the story, which is sometimes stretched and sometimes very compressed, but it does help set the scene, as well as justify the title of the story (though the food choices are not overly erotic ones).
But the piece works well in posing the conundrum of why some people (men, largely), despite otherwise being happy, put themselves in vulnerable situations with people that they clearly find attractive. Perhaps there is a protective, caring instinct for someone who – in this instance, perhaps knowingly, perhaps unknowingly – has made herself vulnerable; perhaps there is a (perhaps fatal!) sexual attraction. Clearly not every (male) has these characteristics or impulses and generalisations rarely enlighten. But it’s a conundrum which literature is well placed to tackle and this is a good example.
Well done, Roger – looking forward to reading your new story on the PM and the MP!
October 2nd, 2009 at 6:27 pm
Blimey, this would never happen in north London!
December 15th, 2009 at 9:05 pm
‘Dinner Party ‘ is really well crafted. It is very much ‘What a tangled web we weave’
What about sending to a woman’s mag.?
January 18th, 2010 at 6:45 pm
I thought “The Dinner Party” an enjoyable short read in a slightly uncomfortable sort of way as it is very north London, isn’t it?
Reminded me of Mike Lee, particularly “Nuts in May” (where I think he was a social worker or she a librarian, or vice versa), though not quite as polished yet in terms of style and dialogue. But would make a fun mini radio play I think.
February 2nd, 2010 at 5:38 pm
I read “The Dinner Party” with Suzanne, a well crafted critique of middle class English desire and duplicity…many thanks!