We're talking magic realism, fantasy, make-believe here, which makes my brain go a little wiggly because isn't all fiction make-believe? Well, you say, fiction consists of stories that could happen. This story is about a grandmother who carries a purse that can hold an entire village of Baldeziwurlekistanians. That could never happen. The fact that I think that technically it could, or might, demonstrates that I'm also weird, and therefore a great fit for this genre.
I can't help but compare "Faery" to last week's reading of Alice Munro. I can't help it. Forgive me if I offend anyone.
Here's the thing. Munro, as I told you, is like a Picasso. I could never have a Picasso in my house. I spill things constantly. The poor Picasso would be covered in Diet Coke or ketchup within a week. But I appreciate great art. I know a Picasso is genius which is why I would respect it enough to keep it away from me (aside from the obvious financial constraints).
Link's writing is not Picasso, but I mean that as a compliment. Link's stories are like the fun vintage painting of a door with handles that look like hands that I'm seeing right now above my computer screen, or the cute owl picture I got at Ikea last year. They make me feel warm and happy and like it's okay to be myself around them.
Faery is a great story with tremendous depth. It follows Genevieve (coincidentally the name I chose for myself in 7th grade French class) and her grandmother Zofia in their quest to protect a very special purse filled with hundreds of people. As you can imagine, hijinks ensue and questions linger at the end of this wonderfully weird story. What I loved about it, aside from the bizarre plot, was how Link writes in such a way that what is completely insane and unfathomable feels like it is also happening at this very moment in your own backyard.
Ms. Link apparently likes to share, so I found the story free on her website. All of my fellow weirdos, enjoy.
No comments:
Post a Comment