No One’s a Mystery by Elizabeth Tallent is about a 18 year old girl. She is pushed down on to the floor of her boyfriend’s truck by her boyfriend, Jack because he sees his wife’s Cadillac in the distance. The floor is filthy and the car stunk of stale cigarettes. They had been sharing a bottle of Tequila. Rosanne Cash is in the tape deck singing, “Nobody’s into Me, no one’s a mystery.
Once the wife passes, the girl is allowed back up on the seat and they talk about the birthday present Jack gave her for her 18th birthday. He said, “I know what you’ll be writing in that diary.” He goes on to say how first she will write how much she loves him but in the future will write how she doesn’t understand what she ever saw in him. Of course, she disagrees.
This is a very short story at less then 3 pages but it says a lot. It is well written and entertaining but with quite a bit of symbolism. For instance, I am pretty sure the diary represents the future. Also Rosanne Cash was the perfect one to be playing in the back round. I was able to clearly visualize the whole story.
Highly recommended! You can read it here: No One’s a Mystery by Elizabeth Tallent
5/5
Also reviewed by:
Remember to go to back to The Book Mine Set next Monday for Short Story Monday.
Must check it out. I am always looking out for great short stories.
Landscape with Flatiron by Haruki Murakami
My short is here – Scroll down
http://lyndasbookblog.blogspot.com/2009/06/monday-mailbox-musings-short-story.html
Thank you for hosting this week. I remember reading John’s review and your’s reminded me that I wanted to put this on my tbr list. Here is my post for SSM:
http://bookpsmith.blogspot.com/2009/06/double-dose-of-doublefields-short-story.html
I love this short story, and I don’t read many. It just stays with you for a long, long time. 🙂
Thanks for hosting this week! My story is at:
http://lakesidemusing.blogspot.com/2009/06/shawl-by-cynthia-ozick.html
I loved this one. It was also reviewed by Eva here.
Thanks again for hosting!
Gautami, I must check out yours. I’ve been wanting to try some Haruki Murakami!
Gautami, Lynda, Book Psmith, and JoAnn;
Thanks for participating. You made my hosting fun!
John, you are very welcome! Thanks to the link for Eva’s review, I added it.
Steph Su, I think it will stay with me.
Teddy: So glad you doing this favor for John – otherwise, I might not have heard of it! I love short stories.
I’ve read this short story before, but I can’t remember where. It’s a little frustrating that I can’t remember, but I do agree; they stay with you for a long time. Thank you for the review!
Gwendolyn, I hope to read some of your short story reviews.
Linda, your welcome.