Trouble and the Shadowy Deathblow (Electric Literature's Recommended Reading)

4.3/5 ( ratings)

According to Hannah Tinti, editor-in-chief of One Story and author of the editor's note in this issue of Recommended Reading, there are 5 reasons to read this story. Here's one of them:

"It's about jealousy and fatherhood and marriage and self-worth. It's about rage and mystery and ambition and secrets and crazy strangers who send their birds to peck out your eyes in the dark alleyways of San Francisco. It is written with great skill, humor and heart. But most important: there is joy on every page. You can tell Patrick Somerville had fun writing this story, and I promise: you will have fun reading it, too."

Learn the other reasons inside this issue.

From the story:
"He held out his hand. 'The name's Georgia.' He smiled for the first time, his lips curled, showing a set of teeth with more grime than the ceiling of Eric's personal bathroom. 'I sell solutions to anger problems.'"

About Recommended Reading:
Great authors inspire us. But what about the stories that inspire them? Recommended Reading, the latest project from Electric Literature, publishes one story every week, each chosen by a great author or editor. In this age of distraction, we uncover writing that's worth slowing down and spending some time with. And in doing so, we help give great writers, literary magazines, and independent presses the recognition they deserve.

About Patrick Somerville:
Patrick Somerville is a writer living in Chicago, where he lives with his wife and son. He teaches in the MFA programs at Northwestern and Warren Wilson.

About This Week’s Guest Editor:
One Story is an award-winning, non-profit literary magazine that publishes one short story at a time. Every three to four weeks, subscribers receive a short story in the mail or via their electronic devices. Founded in 2002 by Hannah Tinti and Maribeth Batcha, One Story is now one of the top literary magazines in the country. For more information, visit one-story.com.