Albert Arnold Gore Sr. Al loses his first race in 1930. The election is for county superintendent of schools, and he loses by a margin so wide that the shame and anger send him back to the farm in Possum Hollow. The farm has fallen into disrepair since he last saw it. His father tells him he put all the money in different banks—a kind of insurance, he says. He didn’t expect all the banks to fail. Now the family is getting by on warm eggs and fresh milk. They are ill clothed and ill. Al’s father … [Read more...] about Albert Arnold Gore
Summer Film Club: Joyce Carol Oates
In this weekly series, Intern Alyssa, your fearless reader, will review popular short stories and their film adaptations. We’ll explore what works in each medium and what doesn't and how exactly the allure of literature can translate to film. Alyssa has no formal training in film, unless subscribing to Netflix and following Roger Ebert on Twitter count as formal training. She would also like to issue one big standing Spoiler Alert now. In 1966, twenty-three-year-old Charles Schmid was … [Read more...] about Summer Film Club: Joyce Carol Oates
The Unicorns
The blizzard is over. But the sea waves still crash high upon the shore, making it impossible to row off any of the archipelago’s islands. The unicorns are cantering about and talking about the weather. “Fucking cold!” “And how!” The unicorns have come to the archipelago to be chosen by the Rider. It is the only archipelago for hundreds of miles with a Rider who will ride unicorns. “Fucking cold!” “And how!” The unicorns have brought with them many board games— Snakes and Ladders and Stratego … [Read more...] about The Unicorns