I’m starting late, but already in so deep! I love this opening sentence, ‘I would have told Lena about the fire I saw in Iowa, but it is regret that writes this, that longs for said things unsaid,’ the haunting laments of love.
Glad to finally be reading this! And listening along to your engaging audio. I’m astounded that you do so much with such economy of means. I feel I know this narrator already. There are revelations on revelations here.
What a wonderful collage of music, recitation, and prose. The juxtaposition of Schubert's Impromptu and Bernstein's F-sharp "direct hit"--this is a very cool way of vivifying a "flash experience." You've layered this like laminated dough. It's fantastic. Onward!
Yes, great to connect, Mary! And thanks for reading my beginning as well. Substack is such a cool platform. I know I'm about a decade late with this story, but it's brand new to me and I'm looking forward to reading on.
Dear Mary, would you consider posting the written version too? I'd love to read this.
For those of us non-native speakers, and not used to listening to American English...
It's lovely to hear your beautiful voice, of course. However, I must admit I find the audio not easy to follow.
Especially the passages where the pace accelerates, the content of the sentences flows past my ear drums like fine sand running between fingers, so many precious details lost.
I do understand that, Veronika, but, here's what I'm thinking for this one: A written novel exists and is available. And you can listen as many times as you need to ... I hope I don't lose you because of my choice to post the audible only--and lots of folks buy the audible book that is available and pretty pricey and that I am giving away free here. So that's a pretty big gift, in my view. Do you still disagree? And, of course, I want your opinion. With so much admiration and respect for you, Mary
I totally respect your thinking and decision, of course! And you're not going to lose me, Mary, I promise.
I might not be able to follow this novel, and I certainly don't expect you to change and adapt your offerings around my needs! I was hesitating about posting my comment, only did so in the end because I thought you might want to know...
I'm more of a reader than a listener. I don't buy or own any audiobooks. That's just me. And I still admire and respect your work too 💗🙏
Stunning. A controlled burn. The mother eating a Hershey bar with her turned-down mouth, alone in the kitchen, thinking about how much she hates her husband. The howdy finger. The list of heroes identified by age and place of residence. I’m hooked.
Fascinating! I love the fire tongs and the bad marriage and mother alone with her chocolate…. So much to want to know more about. I’m delighted that school is out and I can get over here as a new story begins.
This was wonderful—a direct hit, to use your powerful phrase. I loved the music reference and am already gripped by the story of the parents. "My mother had nothing to learn from the fire". That's the line that caught my attention. It seems to send out reverberations, which I suspect will continue through the novel. I'm hooked already!
I had to go back and listen again, I always pick up more when I read/listen to you multiple times, always so full of layers. What is the last word you say? “I was like the woman who went back into the fire to rescue her… “ I want to know!
One of the best stories I’ve read in a long time. TY ♥️
Fire - we humans depend on it, and it burns.
I’m starting late, but already in so deep! I love this opening sentence, ‘I would have told Lena about the fire I saw in Iowa, but it is regret that writes this, that longs for said things unsaid,’ the haunting laments of love.
Oh, Leslie, so glad you've started and what a great comment: opening sentences are so key and you help me hope that I hit it.
Glad to finally be reading this! And listening along to your engaging audio. I’m astounded that you do so much with such economy of means. I feel I know this narrator already. There are revelations on revelations here.
Oh, so glad you found this novel, Julie. Lovely comment that means more than you could know.
What a wonderful collage of music, recitation, and prose. The juxtaposition of Schubert's Impromptu and Bernstein's F-sharp "direct hit"--this is a very cool way of vivifying a "flash experience." You've layered this like laminated dough. It's fantastic. Onward!
A truly grand comment. Thank you. So glad we connected and I got to see your lovely opening of your chapter one of a new serial, Ben!
Yes, great to connect, Mary! And thanks for reading my beginning as well. Substack is such a cool platform. I know I'm about a decade late with this story, but it's brand new to me and I'm looking forward to reading on.
I so understand ... I do think the platform is about helping one another -- on its highest, most generous level ...
a fire with astonishing layers.
💕
You now have prose! You asked for it. I gave it! See here: https://marytabor.substack.com/s/who-by-fire-a-novel click top and see Table of Contents, my dear virtual friend.
The energy of this! And the people, the community is so vivid it feels familiar.
Means so much ... Thank you, Stephanie!
Dear Mary, would you consider posting the written version too? I'd love to read this.
For those of us non-native speakers, and not used to listening to American English...
It's lovely to hear your beautiful voice, of course. However, I must admit I find the audio not easy to follow.
Especially the passages where the pace accelerates, the content of the sentences flows past my ear drums like fine sand running between fingers, so many precious details lost.
Am now posting prose in sections. Please see Table of Contents: https://marytabor.substack.com/p/who-by-fire-a-serial-novel-add
xo
I do understand that, Veronika, but, here's what I'm thinking for this one: A written novel exists and is available. And you can listen as many times as you need to ... I hope I don't lose you because of my choice to post the audible only--and lots of folks buy the audible book that is available and pretty pricey and that I am giving away free here. So that's a pretty big gift, in my view. Do you still disagree? And, of course, I want your opinion. With so much admiration and respect for you, Mary
I totally respect your thinking and decision, of course! And you're not going to lose me, Mary, I promise.
I might not be able to follow this novel, and I certainly don't expect you to change and adapt your offerings around my needs! I was hesitating about posting my comment, only did so in the end because I thought you might want to know...
I'm more of a reader than a listener. I don't buy or own any audiobooks. That's just me. And I still admire and respect your work too 💗🙏
Thank you so, Veronika, and you're not about to lose me either! 💕
Fortuitously! Listened to it twice. So glad to be on another one of your journeys.
So grateful, David, my virtual friend who feels so "in person" to me in every way, including your essays.
Stunning. A controlled burn. The mother eating a Hershey bar with her turned-down mouth, alone in the kitchen, thinking about how much she hates her husband. The howdy finger. The list of heroes identified by age and place of residence. I’m hooked.
Means so much, Mary, poet in my heart.
Fascinating! I love the fire tongs and the bad marriage and mother alone with her chocolate…. So much to want to know more about. I’m delighted that school is out and I can get over here as a new story begins.
Made me laugh, Tara. I was busy writing my tribute to Alice Munro when you posted this.
I'm not saying that a Hershey bar can compensate for a bad marriage, but maybe a little bit for a minute or two. #nowcravingchocolate
😂 😂 I wonder how many Hershey bars we will see consumed. I predict escalation from milk chocolate to dark.
Talk about making my day, Tara. You did!
Hooray!
This was wonderful—a direct hit, to use your powerful phrase. I loved the music reference and am already gripped by the story of the parents. "My mother had nothing to learn from the fire". That's the line that caught my attention. It seems to send out reverberations, which I suspect will continue through the novel. I'm hooked already!
Goodness, Jeffrey, my thanks!
I had to go back and listen again, I always pick up more when I read/listen to you multiple times, always so full of layers. What is the last word you say? “I was like the woman who went back into the fire to rescue her… “ I want to know!
"But I am like the woman who, when her house was on fire, rescued her fire tongs."
Ahhh, I see… so the woman’s relationship with fire may continue.:)
And the man’s—it is his story that I narrate and tell.
Excited to start this!
How lovely. Thank you!
Absolutely intrigued. Would love to read more.
Oh, so glad--you give me courage.
Oh!!!! Thrilled and intrigued!!!!
Means so much!