Nighttime in the Pool by T. C. Boyle
This week I read 'Nighttime in the Pool', which appeared in the New Yorker, here.
The story opened with two couples traveling in Belize and Guatemala, on the cheap. They traveled on the regular buses and were staying away from the all inclusive spots. They even stayed in a cheap hotel across from an insane asylum, "where day and night the inmates pressed their faces against the iron bars and moaned and shook and shouted unintelligibly?"'
The two couples could hardly wait until they arrived in Mexico, where they "would spring for a real hotel a little luxury by way of compensation for all the rough--but illuminating--living." When they arrived at the more luxurious hotel in Mexico, they were so excited to find out there was a swimming pool. "Here was a chance to shed some of the grit of the road."
There was very little light at the pool and the water felt funny, but that didn't stop one of the men from going in and doing a couple of laps. They next morning the man went to the pool and "made some overlapping discoveries".
This is a very short story of only one page. Too short you say, for anything of substance? Not true, good stories can come in tiny packages. Believe it or not Boyle did it again. This time he developed an entire story only one page in length. If you haven't read anything by . T. Coraghessan Boyle, what are you waiting for? Go now, be sure to start with Chicxulub, here.
If you would like to participate in Short Story Mondays or just find out about some great short stories, go to John of The Book Mine Set. He has a short story review every Monday and a place for you to link your short story reviews. Come join in the fun!
If you would like to participate in Short Story Mondays or just find out about some great short stories, go to John of The Book Mine Set. He has a short story review every Monday and a place for you to link your short story reviews. Come join in the fun!
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I enjoyed The Inner Circle by T.C. Boyle, but haven't read any of his short stories yet! Are you planning to read any of his novels?
My Novel Thoughts said... February 8, 2010 at 10:36 AM
Oh I am so glad you posted about CHICXULUB again with the link. I read your blog about this some weeks ago and misplaced the printed out article and couldn't even remember which blog I had read. Now I have just printed my copy again and look forward to my first foray into T.C. Boyle's work!
Kathleen said... February 8, 2010 at 12:08 PM
mynovelreviews, I certainly am hoping to read some of his novels!
Kathleen, I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!
I
Teddy Rose said... February 8, 2010 at 5:56 PM
Boyle's become the star of the Short Story Mondays, hasn't he? So glad to hear that he continues to impress. I think I'd like the setting of this one.
John Mutford said... February 8, 2010 at 6:53 PM
I'm so happy you've become a T.C. Boyle fan! I love his stories, and his novel The Tortilla Curtain. The Women is near the top of my tbr pile.
JoAnn said... February 8, 2010 at 6:54 PM
John and JoAnn, I am interested in what you both think of this story, if you read it. I am hoping to try a novel or two of his this year as well.
Teddy Rose said... February 8, 2010 at 8:02 PM
You have succeeded in getting one more person to read Boyle - me. That was such a great review but I had to know the rest of the story. Thanks for the introduction.
Margot said... February 9, 2010 at 6:35 PM
Margot, I hope you enjoy Boyle.
Teddy Rose said... February 9, 2010 at 10:58 PM
I'm wondering what was in the pool.
Anonymous said... February 10, 2010 at 8:17 AM
Carol, my lips are sealed. You will have to read it to find out.
Teddy Rose said... February 10, 2010 at 10:48 PM
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