Something about this piece: the idea of cluttered spaces, you know, the kind that occupies the middle-class aesthetic that lingers in this balance of too many’s and yet organised, like fitting too many clothes in a few boxes and piling them up neatly above the cupboard, or covering it with a nice-looking piece of cloth. I loved how descriptive this was, and felt as if I gained some vocabulary to describe my own childhood spaces- my home, my neighbours’ and friends’ homes. This feeling is empowering sometimes, because I have always struggled with describing these images in English- they used to float in my mind, but never articulated. Thank you, Vikram, for this brilliant short story!
Loved this! I’m curious if there’s more to “He is wired to seek balance. Balance is really a middle-class euphemism for limitation.” What’s your take on balance and what’s the unnamed protagonist’s? Also, why didn’t you give him a name?
My take on balance: I believe it's entirely personality-driven. You may want to go into things like a wrecking ball and then combust in a blaze of fire and glory, but you might not have the personality to. And vice-versa. The protagonist shares my take haha
He had a name in an earlier draft but its repetition was annoying.
This is so well observed, precise, funny and with an incredibly fine turn of phrase; a well- orchestrated, delicate balancing act. Hit a nerve in the best way - like having the first sip of a too hot coffee.
Something about this piece: the idea of cluttered spaces, you know, the kind that occupies the middle-class aesthetic that lingers in this balance of too many’s and yet organised, like fitting too many clothes in a few boxes and piling them up neatly above the cupboard, or covering it with a nice-looking piece of cloth. I loved how descriptive this was, and felt as if I gained some vocabulary to describe my own childhood spaces- my home, my neighbours’ and friends’ homes. This feeling is empowering sometimes, because I have always struggled with describing these images in English- they used to float in my mind, but never articulated. Thank you, Vikram, for this brilliant short story!
Wow, I know I'm going to live off your note for many weeks. Thank you Ayush!
Brilliant Vikram! touched a chord.
love the taking down of Van de Rohe and his idiotic quip
Thank you so much for reading Rajat! Really appreciate it. And trust you to notice the Van de Rohe thing haha #quizzer
“less is attractive only when more is within easy reach.” Profound.
Thank you for reading Abhijeet!
Loved this! I’m curious if there’s more to “He is wired to seek balance. Balance is really a middle-class euphemism for limitation.” What’s your take on balance and what’s the unnamed protagonist’s? Also, why didn’t you give him a name?
Thank you for reading and commenting!
My take on balance: I believe it's entirely personality-driven. You may want to go into things like a wrecking ball and then combust in a blaze of fire and glory, but you might not have the personality to. And vice-versa. The protagonist shares my take haha
He had a name in an earlier draft but its repetition was annoying.
This is so well observed, precise, funny and with an incredibly fine turn of phrase; a well- orchestrated, delicate balancing act. Hit a nerve in the best way - like having the first sip of a too hot coffee.
Thank you, thank you so much Sraddha! "Like having a first sip of a too hot coffee" — love it!
As good as it can get!
❤️❤️❤️