Discussion Notes: The Story of the Girl Whose Birds Flew Away
Find this week’s story here: The Story of the Girl Whose Birds Flew Away by Bushra al-Fadil.
Next week’s story: Monkey’s Paw by W. W. Jacobs
Rated: Clean

Maya, Gerald, Rammy and Anais analyze The Caine Prize for African Writing winner “The Story of the Girl Whose Birds Flew Away” by Bushra al-Fadil. Is a short story like a poem? Or a piece of art? Maya thinks it is, and she challenges Gerald to define a story. Gerald thought there wasn’t enough story, and too much chewy narrative, which is what Anais appreciated, though she had to let go of the question “why” several times. Rammy enjoyed the story, in particular the stunning visual metaphors.
You may also listen to audio versions of this story in English and Arabic on The Caine Prize website: caineprize.com/the-winner
Did we miss a crucial piece of this story? Tell us below! Or on Twitter @litroadhouse or on our Facebook page.
Also, don’t forget to rate the story! For the history of our goofy system, see Anais’ post “Read Short Stories or Ray Bradbury Cries.” On a scale of 1-6 Bradberries, how do you rate this story? Tell us in the comments below or via voicemail.
Lastly, your reviews on iTunes help us grow. Please search Literary Roadhouse in iTunes and leave reviews for all of our shows.

The Story of the Girl Whose Birds Flew Away - Bushra al-Fadil - LRH Ep 108

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					Discussion Notes: No One Here is Going to Save You
This week’s story: No One Here is Going to Save You by Julian Zabalbeascoa 
Next week’s story: Huevos Estrellados by Vanessa Bernice De La Cruz 
Rated: Clean
Gerald, Andy and Anais discuss “No One Here is Going to Save You” by Julian Zabalbeascoa,  a story of a soldier during the Spanish civil war who is tasked with executing communists and a priest. Gerald and Andy disappointed with the story, but Anais enjoyed it. At the heart of the debate is how to write about fascism in a world saturated with the subject.

Have thoughts on this story?

Did we miss a crucial piece of this story? Tell us below! Or on Twitter @litroadhouse or in our FB group The Literary Roadhouse Readers.
 
					
						
				
						
					
		
								
					
		
				
						
							
					
			
							
						
				
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No One Here is Going to Save You


						
							
							
						
							
					
			
							
						
				
								
					Discussion Notes: The Theresa Job
This week’s story: The Theresa Job by Colson Whitehead 
Next week’s story: No One Here Is Going To Save You by Julian Zabalbeascoa 
Rated: Clean Themes, Explicit Language (Host drops an ‘f’ bomb 

The Theresa Job


						
							
							
						
							
					
			
							
						
				
								
					Discussion Notes: The City Born GreatThis week’s story: The City Born Great by N. K. Jemisin Next week’s story: The Theresa Job by Colson Whitehead Rated: CleanGerald, Andy and Anais discuss “The City Born Great” by N. K. Jemisin, an urban fantasy about a young New Yorker called upon to midwife the birth of a great city and fend off the eldritch hospitals that would feed on the newborn. All three hosts enjoyed the story — even Andy who might have preferred if the city were Chicago. Have thoughts on this story?Did we miss a crucial piece of this story? Tell us below! Or on Twitter @litroadhouse or in our FB group The Literary Roadhouse Readers.					
						
				
						
					
		
								
					
		
				
						
							
					
			
							
						
				
			Support us on Patreon		
				
						
					
		
								
					
		
				
						
							
					
			
							
						
				
								
					We are an indie podcast dependent on contributions from listeners like you. You decide how much to give and every bit helps.					
						
				
						
					
		
								
					
		
				
						
							
					
			
							
						
				
					
			
						
						
							
						Support us on Patreon
		
					
		
				
				
						
					
		
								
					
		
				
						
							
					
			
							
						
				
								
					
Looking for more to read?
Click here for a full list of all short stories discussed on the podcast.					
						
				
						
					
		
								
					
		
						
						
					

Ep 217: The City Born Great


						
							
							
						
							
					
			
							
						
				
								
					Discussion Notes: The Specialist’s HatThis week’s story: The Specialist’s Hat by Kelly Link Next week’s story: The City Born Great by N. K. Jemisin Rated: CleanGerald, Andy and Anais discuss “The Specialist’s Hat” by Kelly Link, a story about twin girls who move into the gothic home of a former poet who dabbled in the dark arts and killed his wife. Despite a lot of debate on this podcast, our hosts ended up giving this spooky, clever story similar ratings.Have thoughts on this story?Did we miss a crucial piece of this story? Tell us below! Or on Twitter @litroadhouse or in our FB group The Literary Roadhouse Readers.					
						
				
						
					
		
								
					
		
				
						
							
					
			
							
						
				
			Support us on Patreon		
				
						
					
		
								
					
		
				
						
							
					
			
							
						
				
								
					We are an indie podcast dependent on contributions from listeners like you. You decide how much to give and every bit helps.					
						
				
						
					
		
								
					
		
				
						
							
					
			
							
						
				
					
			
						
						
							
						Support us on Patreon
		
					
		
				
				
						
					
		
								
					
		
				
						
							
					
			
							
						
				
								
					
Looking for more to read?
Click here for a full list of all short stories discussed on the podcast.					
						
				
						
					
		
								
					
		
						
						
					

The Specialist's Hat


						
							
							
						
							
					
			
							
						
				
								
					Discussion Notes: FosterThis week’s story: Foster by Bryan Washington Next week’s story: The Specialist’s Hat by Kelly Link Rated: EXPLICITGerald, Andy and Anais discuss “Foster” by Bryan Washington, a story of a man estranged from his brother, struggling with his boyfriend, and refusing to name a cat. The story is explicit and so is this episode. The explicit nature of the story was a bit of a turn off for Gerald, but all three hosts enjoyed digging deep into this iceberg of a story. Scratch beneath the story, and there’s a lot to chew on.Have thoughts on this story?Did we miss a crucial piece of this story? Tell us below! Or on Twitter @litroadhouse or in our FB group The Literary Roadhouse Readers.					
						
				
						
					
		
								
					
		
				
						
							
					
			
							
						
				
			Support us on Patreon		
				
						
					
		
								
					
		
				
						
							
					
			
							
						
				
								
					We are an indie podcast dependent on contributions from listeners like you. You decide how much to give and every bit helps.					
						
				
						
					
		
								
					
		
				
						
							
					
			
							
						
				
					
			
						
						
							
						Support us on Patreon
		
					
		
				
				
						
					
		
								
					
		
				
						
							
					
			
							
						
				
								
					
Looking for more to read?
Click here for a full list of all short stories discussed on the podcast.					
						
				
						
					
		
								
					
		
						
						
					

The Story of the Girl Whose Birds Flew Away - Bushra al-Fadil - LRH Ep 108

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