May 27th, 2019 - Ross Perot and China

Dear TNY,

I’d like to talk about “Ross Perot and China” if that’s okay with you.

But the thing is, I don’t know what to say.  Like, this story is intriguing.  I was interested.  Right from the start the disappearance of the woman, especially from the boat, was very interesting.  Then dude-bro wanders into the wrong house?  Golden.  His internal monologue was a little tedious at times (specifically the POV switching back and forth).  The story with the dad.  So good.  The whole story made sense.  And I was in. 

But, I didn’t feel anything other than wanting to know what happened.  And I did want to know what happened.  Hard.  I don’t think this story “works” though, if it didn’t break my heart.  Or move me at all.  It’s definitely literature.  I know that for sure.  It’s definitely written by an experienced hand.  It’s clean, minus some of the inner monologue shit.  But, if the goal is to move the reader, it’s too subtle in that department and the interest of “where is the girl” and “will he escape from the house” overpower the subtlety of the moving mission.

I guess, I’m not upset with this piece.  But I’m not over the moon about it either.  I’ll remember this story, which is pretty legit.  But, I don’t know if I go back to read it ever again due to the lack of emotive detail.

Anyway, later.

Nick