Succos Calligraphy - amazing!

bshap

Thu, Oct 24 2019, 7:24 pm

Wow I agree with you all the way! Really good take on the story. It bothered me that this poor guy kept letting this uncle treat the family that way..

sushilover wrote:

OK, I know the author probably meant to show that it is praiseworthy to give up your anger, but I interpreted it in a totally different way. I saw it as a story portraying the dangers of giving up and giving in too much, especially to a narcissist. At first it started small. The main character watching his mother not saying anything as his uncle stepped all over her. The mother giving up the menorah her children should have gotten as a yerusha...
Then we can see the main character changing, losing his any semblance of healthy boundaries, and -most realistically with anyone in a relationship with a narcissist- he is losing his own individuality and self definition. He quietly accepts his firing. He doesn't defend himself when the tzedaka organization accuses him of lying when they think his uncle is supporting him. Why didn't he explain that he's not being supported? The story ends with him losing his last bit of integrity- by tearing up his article that would have exposed his uncle as the two- faced manipulator that he is.

When you think about it that way, it really is a brilliant story and truly shows what it is like being in a relationship with a narcissist. They have a gift of being able to chip away at one's self esteem until their victim is left with nothing but crippling self- doubt.

downsyndrome

Thu, Oct 24 2019, 7:29 pm

amother [ Goldenrod ] wrote:

Calligraphy closed in July, submission started in April and finished in early summer-four weeks ago the stories were already completely laid out, edited three times and proofread for weeks already. What a terrible accusation. You should apologize to the writer.

Please!! Lighten up Goldenrod amother. I don't think the word 'plagiarism' was even used correctly by me. Nobody 'stole' anything I wrote. And yes, I did write to Mishpacha asking whether the author's name is a pen name or her real name because I am curious whether she attended our simcha or is a relative. There were other points in the story that hit home so closely as well. Still waiting for Mishpacha's response and I'll live if it doesn't come....

Mama Bear, I loved your depiction of Lee Gardens Supermarket; while we don't shop there, I enjoyed reading it. You are one talented gal!!

momsrus

Thu, Oct 24 2019, 8:19 pm

amother [ Goldenrod ] wrote:

o please

farm

Thu, Oct 24 2019, 11:54 pm

I hated the Haller story. The nephew was supposed to be the final hope of someone with a backbone to stand up for himself/his family. And he should be learning regular sedarim regardless of collecting zechusim for his father’s nechama. And still scratching my head at the ending- why would it have been so scandalous for the big shot uncle to support a casino that will increase his real estate? Why did he even go through the motions of pretending he was upset about it?

amother

Pewter

Fri, Oct 25 2019, 12:57 am

Am I the only one who feels like they’re running out of story themes and keep recycling the same topics? While I enjoyed the writing, so much of it was just same old, same old. A story about a couple winning the lottery. About sn kids growing into adulthood. Dealing with older kids who’ve flipped out on you. Shidduch fiascos. The no-longer religious parent. All done in previous yt story supplements. (Hats off to Dov Haller, though, for a truly original piece!) I know there aren’t infinite topics to write about, but for a twice-a-year supplement that supposedly offers the best of contemporary frum fiction, I expected a bit more originality.

Anyone else agree?

amother

Peach

Fri, Oct 25 2019, 1:06 am

amother [ Pewter ] wrote:

Because there's a common thread in all Jewish stories - life struggles. I can more or less figure out the story line from the first page or two. The protagonist will face some sort of struggle and run into deep trouble, and then gain some amazing insight, which will either lead to a very happy ending or no ending at all.

I'd love to see other content too.

amother

Goldenrod

Fri, Oct 25 2019, 1:10 am

amother [ Peach ] wrote:

wherein there will be a thread saying "did you read the story about (insert abstract or literary plot here)? NOTHING happened. Sooooo weird. why would they publish that."
Gotta know your audience.

top mom

Fri, Oct 25 2019, 1:40 am

dankbar wrote:

Dina Neuman, did it again in her awesome style, the story about the mixed up shidduch!

I lost the Ami story supplement Crying

You just reminded me that I was in the middle of reading Dina Neuman's story- the first one I turned to obvs!
Will renew my search today, daven for me Smile

amother

Goldenrod

Fri, Oct 25 2019, 2:53 am

farm wrote:

And he should be learning regular sedarim regardless of collecting zechusim for his father’s nechama.

huh???

And re why the uncle had to pretend to be against the casino- because the residents of the bungalow colonies are ostensibly frum people who would rather not have a casino in their vicinity due to the clientele and behavior such an establishment would bring in. Thought that was pretty clear from the story.