STORY INFO
Uncle Dale
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Author
Michał Przywara
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Categories
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Danh mục
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Update
1 year ago
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Part Chapter
1/??
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Reads
60
Content
Papa said it was a mistake to let Uncle Dale go shopping on his own, even if it was just down to Sammy’s to pick up smokes. He said that we support our troops in this house, and that it weren’t in no way proper to send a hero off on his own, forced to wheel his own chair around – even if it was a beautiful first day of summer, and even if Uncle Dale had wanted to go on his lonesome. And when Uncle Dale finally c...
Outstanding reviews
This is really fantastic story-telling, Michał!!!! I love it!
Thanks, Katy! I'm glad you enjoyed it :)I wanted to go a little more surreal this week, and I'm glad it paid off.I appreciate the feedback!
Yes, happy and sad. True drama. So well told from a child's point of view. How can one understand not being happy for someone becoming un-crippled?Great to see this one on the exceptionally short shortlist! Knew it was a winner when I read it. So much insightful commenting also. 🎉 Congrats!
Thanks, Mary! It was certainly a strange idea that crossed my mind this week, but there's no shortage of strange behaviours people exhibit - particularly when they fret over what other people are, or are not, doing. I appreciate the feedback!
I really like the writing style, and the message of the story is great too!, it's like people don't like us for who we are but the version of us in their mind.
Thanks, Sarah! Yes, I think that's right on, and trouble brews when the real person diverges from the mind-version. I appreciate the feedback!
The voice is strong...and totally fits the character and setting. It's nice when all elements combine to create a united effect. Nicely done.
Thank you, Ace! I've been more mindful lately of developing a unity of effect, and so I'm glad that's starting to bear some fruit. I appreciate the feedback :)
Thank you, Ace! I've been more mindful lately of developing a unity of effect, and so I'm glad that's starting to bear some fruit. I appreciate the feedback :)
Thank you, Ace! I've been more mindful lately of developing a unity of effect, and so I'm glad that's starting to bear some fruit. I appreciate the feedback :)
Thank you, Ace! I've been more mindful lately of developing a unity of effect, and so I'm glad that's starting to bear some fruit. I appreciate the feedback :)
Thank you, Ace! I've been more mindful lately of developing a unity of effect, and so I'm glad that's starting to bear some fruit. I appreciate the feedback :)
Congrats on the shortlist, Michał! In a week where there were only a handful of winners, I'm beyond pleased this was one of the finalists! (And this story was my winner pick, so I'm doubly pleased to see it get recognized in some capacity.)
Thanks Zack! I also am pleased :DAnd now it's time to start work on the next one :)Have a great weekend!
Thanks Zack! I also am pleased :DAnd now it's time to start work on the next one :)Have a great weekend!
Thanks Zack! I also am pleased :DAnd now it's time to start work on the next one :)Have a great weekend!
Some very deep themes in this story. It really shows how people like to play roles and feel important. Annie prefers being a caretaker of a 'hero' rather than having Dale be able to walk. At the end I could see how clever it was to have the narrator be an almost outside observer that told him to run, when the whole rest of the family wants to have Dale return to being their prisoner.
Thanks, Scott! Yeah, roles - how we're perceived - can be very important. More important even than what we actually are, even if it comes at someone else's expense.I think the narrator was just as much a prisoner of the social forces as Dale. Despite his personal desires, he ended up joining in with his family.I appreciate the feedback!
This is a great piece! Poor Uncle Dale! I really like how the story is told through the eyes of the child. Congrats on the shortlist!
Thanks Kate! It was a nice surprise :) I'm glad you enjoyed it!
Welcome and thanks for reading mine! ☺️
Twain style satire. People wanting credit for being supportive rather than being supportive
Thanks Anne! And that's right on, I think. It's more important people see you doing good, than actually doing good - or at least, if often seems that way :( I appreciate the feedback!
I’m still thinking about it! It really is a marvelous little farce. People constantly want to be heroes (direct reference to that in the veteran fetish these people have is really nice layering), but they’re much more subtle in what they tell themselves about it—drawing this all the way out is both hilarious and a great spotlight on the way that we figuratively cripple others by wanting to come their rescue.
Yeah, we are the heroes of our own lives, right? All good points. I think there's still lots of room to explore this in other stories, and "figuratively cripple others by wanting to come their rescue" is a great way of phrasing it. Perhaps we need to be needed.
Wow, powerful story, on many levels. Really enjoyed this one!!
Thanks, Anna! I'm glad you enjoyed it :)
Thanks, Anna! I'm glad you enjoyed it :)
Thanks, Marty! Yeah, that's a keen observation - cut down for standing out. I think kids' perspectives are great for exploring these things, because they're not yet saddled with all the this-is-just-how-it-is baggage we accumulate throughout life. So perhaps they ask more honest questions, particularly if something doesn't make sense. I appreciate the feedback :)
Societal habit is a terrible thing.
Definitely can be! A very powerful force. Thanks for reading, Ferris!
Wow .. what a story Michal! I had my chuckles but man, i geel so badly for Uncle Dale ..
Thanks, Bob! Yeah, he was in a rough spot :) Personal desires vs family pressure. Glad you enjoyed this surreal tale!
I saw this a while ago and wasn't able to respond at the time, but I am back on grid for a little while so wanted to address this story. It is masterful. The commentary it makes about hero culture, the way we celebrate it and accept its consequences... I am not sure I can quite express myself here, but this is some worthy satire. Congrats on the shortlist, but also just for producing this powerful story.
Thanks, Laurel! That's made my day :) It was a fun one to write, and gave me an opportunity to play around with some ideas. I'm glad it resonated. Thanks for reading!
Thanks, Laurel! That's made my day :) It was a fun one to write, and gave me an opportunity to play around with some ideas. I'm glad it resonated. Thanks for reading!
Thanks, Laurel! That's made my day :) It was a fun one to write, and gave me an opportunity to play around with some ideas. I'm glad it resonated. Thanks for reading!
Beautifully sad, a wonderful read.
Thanks Robin! I'm glad you enjoyed it :)
This is wonderful - easy read, easy to know who was who, and lovely yet sad story. The bit where Grampa watched tv even when it wasn't on. I love this kind of story! xo
Thanks, Patricia! I think Grandpa knows more than he's letting on :) I'm glad you enjoyed it!
Congrats. This week alone I have read short stories full of: he sat and never got up again. Two or three different times. Congrats again.
Thanks, Philip! That's an odd coincidence - might be a story itself, about déjà vu or something. I appreciate the feedback!
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