Microstories
By John Edgar Wideman, first published in Harper's Magazine
A series of interconnected vignettes and characters explores themes of race, incarceration, family, heartbreak, and love.
Author
Published in
Year
Words
Availability
Collections
Plot Summary
RAIN describes a boy who is obsessed with rain because the rain stopped right before he was born, and he is sure it will start again as soon as he is gone.
DIVORCE illustrates a man struggling to pick out an outfit for dinner with his daughter. The weight of years weighs on him.
THIRTEEN tells the story of a man’s son, who, at 15, on the 13th, killed his friend. The lawyers tell them that the state of Arizona wants to start executing juveniles, and “a Black kid would suit them perfectly.” All they can do in court is plead for his life. The man remembers how although he went to birthing classes before his son was born, he couldn’t be there for his birth.
AT&T describes an inmate talking to the robot who tells him he has a phone call. He thinks about the high cost the incarcerated must pay for a phone call.
FAT LIVER describes a woman thinking about Black children being force fed abuse by America. Someone calls her, but she can’t pick up the phone because if it's Sarah or Samuel, it will break her heart.
WAR STORIES shows someone comparing war abroad to the war at home — mass incarceration.
HOME FROM COLLEGE tells of a woman thinking about her mother who is slowly falling more and more ill.
GIBLETS tells the story of Clara, whose dog, Giblets, has four legs — one for every day of the week. Clara’s week only has four days because her mom would abuse her when she couldn’t sit through three days of church as a child. When Clara hears of churches having service on Thursdays as well, she cuts off one of Giblet's legs.
AUTOMATIC describes the relationship between a man and his father. The man has come to ask for his father’s car keys.
MESSAGE says that America needs to take a look in the mirror.
NORTHSTAR tells of a man who kills his girlfriend, who he loves very much.
PARTY describes a woman thinking about her Aunt May, who passed away.
PARIS MORNING illustrated birds fluttering from building to building.
HAIKU is about Richard Wright writing haikus towards the end of his life.
WRITING is about stories never written.
PASSING ON describes a man thinking about the useless skills he’s learned throughout life and his relationship with his father.
TROUBLE describes a man struggling to get where he is going.
BREATH is about someone trying not to disturb their partner as they get out of bed. They have an early flight to go see their dying mother. They know they will never find the same peace that they find next to their partner anywhere else.
Tags