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The Artistry of Keith Lee Morris’ ‘Testimony’

Started by tomwatson · 11 months ago

Keith Lee Morris’ short story, Testimony, in the latest issue of A Public Space (03) is among the best I’ve read, which is saying a lot, since I have been reading mostly short storie ... Continue reading »

4 comments

  • Tom Watson

    2 years ago

    Sounds wonderful - now I have to track this story down and read it!
    reply
  • Bosco

    2 years ago

    I read the story and I agree it is terrific. I am not so sure I would agree with you that the boys' behavior is the sort "all but endorsed in the United States." They are meth-heads and the accused one has knocked out his girlfriend's front teeth. So they are a little pathological to begin with. But the way Keith Lee Morris lets the story unfold is indeed masterful.
    reply
  • Kathleen Maher

    2 years ago

    Hey, Bosco, My point was not that society endorses overt violence. Rather, the competitive jockeying that holds this gang of four young men together allows the death to occur. Yes, there's the methamphetamine (which I note as NOT socially endorsed) but I can imagine the same accident occurring if these guys were merely drunk and watching the Superbowl. Their masculine self-absorption might be enough to foster the casual aggression that results in an accident going overlooked until it's too late.
    reply
  • Bosco

    2 years ago

    Okay, but notice that you have to eliminate two key elements of the plot (the meth, the girlfriend) to make your point!
    reply
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