Tag: Flash Fiction Magazine

Story Reviews

Gone. Commentary on J. Paul Ross’s “A Hundred and Twenty-Seven”

Pauline Shen

As J. Paul Ross’s story “A Hundred and Twenty-Seven” unfolds, our narrator paints a picture. At first, this is a very narrow perspective. As the story goes on, however, this picture becomes clearer and fuller. It begins with our protagonist, Derrick Crosby, who, “was following 127 people online, and all of them were women.” The narrative then proceeds in a casual and languid manner that mimics the action of scrolling through a social media newsfeed.

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Story Reviews

Desensitization. Commentary on Deron Eckert’s “The Spaceman”

Pauline Shen

How to tell an audience about a horrific encounter? Do it with a nonchalant-style narrative that drops details before the reader like loose change. In Deron Eckert’s “The Spaceman,” the first-person narrative does just that, “Everyone makes a big to-do about me, like I’m in shock or something…” With such a light touch on a heavy subject, Eckert draws the scene out to its fullest capacity, pulling the reader in without hesitation.

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Story Reviews

Wretched Creature. Commentary on Jennifer Milne’s “Gravy Boat Genie”

Pauline Shen

Writing a story that revolves around an unlikable, nay despicable, protagonist is a bold move. The classic example is Scrooge in Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol.” However, that protagonist resolves to change by seeing the error of his ways. In Jennifer Milne’s “Gravy Boat Genie,” our protagonist, who serves as narrator, obtains absolution by a different means.

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