At Pulp Metal, Ian Ayris delivers a powerful piece of short fiction, Cold.
This is the kind of story where describing what happens misses the point entirely. Ayris is writing about the core of life and death (and crime) and a character's single, compelling decision.
Even that sounds corny--which this piece is certainly not. To be honest, I don't really know how to approach this one.
But AJ Hayes does, and this is what he wrote in the comments section:
Usually in noir you’re rooting for the big reveal. In this case though you’re cringing away and thinking “No. C’mon please make it something else. Something that will finally free that poor guys soul. But no, Ian won’t flinch. Won’t back away and say, “Oh higgeltie, piggeltie, I fooled you. It’s all a great joke on you. Everything’s all right. ’twasn’t what you thought at all. Even dour Da’s okay. There there.” No, Ian just rips your heart out, shows it to you and leaves you all alone in the scary dark. True horror is never asked for. It just happens. Moving, Ian. Very moving indeed.
Good job, AJ! I concur.
Well you got me intrigued. I will check it out when I get a chance.
ReplyDeleteThank you for pointing me toward this one. It's excellent.
ReplyDeleteand thanks from me too. a great quote from Aj. anything he says is worth listening to.
ReplyDeleteIan is bursting onto the Noir scene is a big way..good coverage here Chris
ReplyDeleteVery good call, Chris. It's a beaut of a story.
ReplyDeleteIan's an amazing writer. Each of his stories brings a different view of of our art. I hate that he's denying his heritage though. He just refuses to do a kangaroo murder case. (okay, I'm aware that his next missive will probably be about a goner 'roo in a locked room)
ReplyDeleteHi all. First, thanks Chris, for doing this piece. Much appreciated, mate.
ReplyDeleteAnd thank you everyone so much for your kind words. The world of noir has made me feel very welcome over the past few weeks. Thank you all.
Ian