May 12, 2023, 10:00am
According to the powers that be (er, obviously according to Dan Wickett of the Emerging Writers Network), May is Short Story Month. To commemorate, the Literary Hub staff will be advising a single narrative, totally free to check out online, every (work) day of the month. Why not check out in addition to us? Today, we advise:
“Rebecca” by Donald Barthelme
You understood this was coming, didn’t you? Well, it was sort of a toss-up in between “Rebecca” and “The School,” though I may well have actually picked “City of Churches” or “The Balloon” too. Anyway, I like Barthelme, for (to name a few things) his absurdist wit and his lively, omnivorous literary design and his invasive storytellers, all of which are on screen in this story, which I have discussed at higher (undue?) length here. It’s likewise brief enough that you can read it while you complete your coffee, which will most likely be much better for you than scrolling past the news.
The story starts:
Rebecca Lizard was attempting to alter her unsightly, reptilian, completely inappropriate surname.
“Lizard,” said the judge. “Lizard, Lizard, Lizard, Lizard. There’s nothing wrong with it if you say it enough times. You can’t clutter up the court’s calendar with trivial little minor irritations. And there have been far too many people changing their names lately. Changing your name countervails the best interest of the telephone company, the electric company, and the United States government. Motion denied.”
Read it here.
