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‘Arthur’s Stone’ is up today in October’s issue of Full of Crow. I’d be chuffed to little mint balls if you would go and take a look.
October 7, 2011
‘Arthur’s Stone’
10 Responses to “‘Arthur’s Stone’”
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October 7th, 2011 at 16:00
“Arthur’s Stone” is so well written that it kept me reading all the way to the end in spite of my kids trying to push me away from the family computer.
At first I thought the ending was abrupt but upon rereading the last sentence I think it wasn’t. Anyway, it is a story without end — mother’s struggle, every day all over again.
October 7th, 2011 at 16:14
Thank you, Irena. You’re right, and I hadn’t quite thought of it that way, it is a story without end, and one that is being written in countless homes for the lifetimes of barely coping parents. Of course, plenty do cope, and the ‘Arthurs’ of this world are not all so extreme as here, but the elements are all ones I have met in real life. I’m so pleased you liked the writing
October 7th, 2011 at 22:05
Sad story, well written. I was reminded of my mother’s best friend when I was growing up. As her brain-damaged son grew into a man, he became more than she could handle, yet she did her best.
October 7th, 2011 at 22:11
Thank you. Your mother’s friend is or was one of a hidden army of unpaid carers who do their best in the face of odds most of us can barely imagine. I hope she found a satisfactory solution for her son and herself. There are some superb services out there now, but that wasn’t always the case.
October 8th, 2011 at 09:41
Aw Suzanne, this was very good, and I am reminded of a pair I saw on the bus, she was elderly, and he was probably in his 40′s but you could tell they were mother and son, and you could tell he was a bit like Arthur, but she sat there holding his hand, and it made me think of how hard of a life she’s probably had taking care of her boy, and it made me glad to know he’s got her but sad to know one day, she would not be, and who would take care of him?
October 8th, 2011 at 10:20
Many older people were told to ‘put him away and have another baby’. Many of those children spent their lives in long stay institutions, so it isn’t surprising that a courageous few held out and tried to go it alone. Things are very different now but, as we’ve seen with the Winterbourne scandal, there can be high profile pits of desperation that reinforce parents’ fears. I’m glad you liked this story; I always hope tales of this kind do justice to the people they represent.
October 8th, 2011 at 16:52
If you tell me what “chuffed to little mint balls” means, I’ll definitely look. (Looking anyway!)
October 8th, 2011 at 17:03
Haha! It means ‘really rather pleased’ (understated version), or ‘Blinkin’ stonking’ brilliant!’ if understated isn’t your thing. I don’t see you being able to work it into one of your noir pieces though. Unless you have imported a character from mid 20th century north of England. Happy to consult …
October 8th, 2011 at 17:07
Wow, Suzanne. That is one of the best stories I’ve ever read. I was completely gripped, the characters were heart-breakingly life-like, and every image appeared fully formed in my mind.
I also read it with two brains, the reader and the writer, and I’m asking myself as I start my writing day, How did she do that? And that? I know, and yet, I don’t.
Sorry to gush, it’s brilliant (did I already say that about Lovely Girls?)
October 8th, 2011 at 17:15
Wow back – thank you! It probably helps to ‘know’ the people and the elements of both ‘Arthur’ and ‘Amy’ are part of my history. It’s really good to feel I might have brought them off the page a little, though, so thank you for that. And yes, I think you did