Nathan, this is wonderful. This is the first of these that I’ve read and now all the others have to compete against it! I kid ;) but seriously, whoever delivered the prompt will, I’m sure, be so touched with the sensitivity you’ve offered. I know it’s not part of the idea, but I would have been so interested to see the prompt, to see what the clay that you sculpted this piece from was like in its original form... Excellent work, my dear. Right, now to the other forty-something pieces...!
Such a beautiful story. I'm happy we decided not to share our prompts because there's more mystery in what was said and unsaid - in the ways your imagination or experience has danced with that of the other.
This story really reminds us that those important relationships and connections can come from unexpected people and places. The weave of the symbol of music helps us feel that essence. So lovely, Nathan.
This is such an interesting experiment, Nathan, because no matter how specific and personal the prompt is, a writer can’t help putting something of themselves into each story they write. And here you’ve managed to let us spend time with someone whose circumstance would tend to have the effect of making them hard and angry and bitter. Yet this person you render is innocent somehow--still childlike, and completely without guile. Like a Sparrow alone in the wild. A heartbreakingly sad young life and also surprisingly strong and hopeful. It leaves me with the feeling that this soul will always be OK maybe even more compassionate and nurturing for what they’ve been through.
"I was too young then to realize that hope flew in with a devil tucked under its wing." If there was a Pulitzer for one line, I'd vote for this.
This is such a great story, Nathan. Your writing is so aching and filled with angst. I honestly finished this piece wanting so much more - hoping this was just the start of Sparrow's story.
Dec 29, 2023·edited Dec 29, 2023Liked by Nathan Slake
As usual with your writing, I found this to be very evocative. I don't know how much of it is autobiographical, but it reminded me in my forst year of uni of a really nice bloke I got in very well with, who decided to pack it in because he thoughht it was a load of rubbish. I've regretted ever since not keeping in touch with him.
As for the cast-offs, the scene reminded me of the scene in Fahrenheit 451 in which members of this band of renegades are walking around reciting the novels they have committed to learn by rote.
"I couldn’t say anything to him, the tears that streaked down my cheeks like a thousand rivers blurring my eyes as I walked away." Excellent writing, as ever.
I found myself wondering how it might feel to run away knowing that no one would notice.
The indifference of a family, the kindness of strangers and the gradual self-awareness the character gains through his acceptance by a ragtag group have all served to shape him into someone who can move forward to find a meaningful life. Bittersweet but optimistic in the end. Well done Nathan, as always!
Perhaps because I read it relatively recently, this story made me think a little of Station Eleven, with its band of wandering players.
However, instead of one, unifying cataclysm, there is a sense that Jay and the Castoffs have all suffered their own personal tragedies, like Sparrow, which have somehow thrust them into the same post-apocalyptic existence, even as the rest of the world carries on in parallel, unchanged.
Despite the melancholia of loss and regret, with that novel, this piece shares a sense of hopefulness, that salvation can be found amongst people, in community and in art, and that it is possible to discover a better future.
"But I was too young then to realise that hope flew in with a devil tucked under its wing." Great line, Nathan. Knowing or not knowing the prompt doesn't really matter (for me at least) and as Kate says, it only adds to the mystery, which is a good thing. What horrible thing has he or she done? There's a greater story here but it stands well on its own.
I love the way the narrator meanders in the telling of her story that is very much a story of being lost and searching without any true North. The details you added are lovely and vivid - burying her tins of food like a squirrel. I really enjoyed it. Bravo!
Beautifully sad and yet hopeful at the same time. I always wanted some kind of mentor/protector to guide my journey, but I never had anyone invest in me or see my potential. I guess that's why I've spent my private life pursuing accomplishment. I've had successes (earning a PhD at 54 among them), but even then, I didn't find the satisfaction I sought. But that's enough.
Heartbreakingly, beautifully rendered portrait, Nathan - the loneliness, the isolation, and the need to find some connection (and from the humblest of people!) I can't help but think the prompt writer would be touched by the deep empathy you brought. Well done! ⭐✨🌟
Nathan, this is wonderful. You’ve painted the relationship between Jay and the Sparrow, what can develop among people who see each other’s pain, and the way being seen and cared for can heal with such beautiful strokes. May we all be so fortunate to find someone who can help us return to a place we’ve never been.
Wonderfully done as always, Nathan. A truly melancholy tale but with an uplifting coda that brings hope and light to even the darkest of times. I have just become aware of this writing experiment and will certainly catch up on all the other stories 👍🏼
This cast a spell on me. This, for me, is the beating heart of it: “you don’t realise how damn resilient a human is. How much it can survive even if it doesn’t want to.” Or taking that in made my own heart beat differently. Beautiful piece. Thank you, Nathan.
Nathan, this is wonderful. This is the first of these that I’ve read and now all the others have to compete against it! I kid ;) but seriously, whoever delivered the prompt will, I’m sure, be so touched with the sensitivity you’ve offered. I know it’s not part of the idea, but I would have been so interested to see the prompt, to see what the clay that you sculpted this piece from was like in its original form... Excellent work, my dear. Right, now to the other forty-something pieces...!
Such a beautiful story. I'm happy we decided not to share our prompts because there's more mystery in what was said and unsaid - in the ways your imagination or experience has danced with that of the other.
This story really reminds us that those important relationships and connections can come from unexpected people and places. The weave of the symbol of music helps us feel that essence. So lovely, Nathan.
This is such an interesting experiment, Nathan, because no matter how specific and personal the prompt is, a writer can’t help putting something of themselves into each story they write. And here you’ve managed to let us spend time with someone whose circumstance would tend to have the effect of making them hard and angry and bitter. Yet this person you render is innocent somehow--still childlike, and completely without guile. Like a Sparrow alone in the wild. A heartbreakingly sad young life and also surprisingly strong and hopeful. It leaves me with the feeling that this soul will always be OK maybe even more compassionate and nurturing for what they’ve been through.
"I was too young then to realize that hope flew in with a devil tucked under its wing." If there was a Pulitzer for one line, I'd vote for this.
This is such a great story, Nathan. Your writing is so aching and filled with angst. I honestly finished this piece wanting so much more - hoping this was just the start of Sparrow's story.
So great. Thank you!
As usual with your writing, I found this to be very evocative. I don't know how much of it is autobiographical, but it reminded me in my forst year of uni of a really nice bloke I got in very well with, who decided to pack it in because he thoughht it was a load of rubbish. I've regretted ever since not keeping in touch with him.
As for the cast-offs, the scene reminded me of the scene in Fahrenheit 451 in which members of this band of renegades are walking around reciting the novels they have committed to learn by rote.
"I couldn’t say anything to him, the tears that streaked down my cheeks like a thousand rivers blurring my eyes as I walked away." Excellent writing, as ever.
I found myself wondering how it might feel to run away knowing that no one would notice.
The indifference of a family, the kindness of strangers and the gradual self-awareness the character gains through his acceptance by a ragtag group have all served to shape him into someone who can move forward to find a meaningful life. Bittersweet but optimistic in the end. Well done Nathan, as always!
What an excellent concept for a writing project!
Perhaps because I read it relatively recently, this story made me think a little of Station Eleven, with its band of wandering players.
However, instead of one, unifying cataclysm, there is a sense that Jay and the Castoffs have all suffered their own personal tragedies, like Sparrow, which have somehow thrust them into the same post-apocalyptic existence, even as the rest of the world carries on in parallel, unchanged.
Despite the melancholia of loss and regret, with that novel, this piece shares a sense of hopefulness, that salvation can be found amongst people, in community and in art, and that it is possible to discover a better future.
I really enjoyed reading this one. Bravo!
"But I was too young then to realise that hope flew in with a devil tucked under its wing." Great line, Nathan. Knowing or not knowing the prompt doesn't really matter (for me at least) and as Kate says, it only adds to the mystery, which is a good thing. What horrible thing has he or she done? There's a greater story here but it stands well on its own.
I love the way the narrator meanders in the telling of her story that is very much a story of being lost and searching without any true North. The details you added are lovely and vivid - burying her tins of food like a squirrel. I really enjoyed it. Bravo!
Beautifully sad and yet hopeful at the same time. I always wanted some kind of mentor/protector to guide my journey, but I never had anyone invest in me or see my potential. I guess that's why I've spent my private life pursuing accomplishment. I've had successes (earning a PhD at 54 among them), but even then, I didn't find the satisfaction I sought. But that's enough.
I loved this.
Heartbreakingly, beautifully rendered portrait, Nathan - the loneliness, the isolation, and the need to find some connection (and from the humblest of people!) I can't help but think the prompt writer would be touched by the deep empathy you brought. Well done! ⭐✨🌟
Nathan, this is wonderful. You’ve painted the relationship between Jay and the Sparrow, what can develop among people who see each other’s pain, and the way being seen and cared for can heal with such beautiful strokes. May we all be so fortunate to find someone who can help us return to a place we’ve never been.
Raw and emotive and striking. I love the bird names and metaphors.
Wonderfully done as always, Nathan. A truly melancholy tale but with an uplifting coda that brings hope and light to even the darkest of times. I have just become aware of this writing experiment and will certainly catch up on all the other stories 👍🏼
Beautifully done Nathan. 🧡
This cast a spell on me. This, for me, is the beating heart of it: “you don’t realise how damn resilient a human is. How much it can survive even if it doesn’t want to.” Or taking that in made my own heart beat differently. Beautiful piece. Thank you, Nathan.