Discussion Group - Batman and Robin Have an Altercation

[Neesy]

Hi there,

We will be discussing this story on Wednesday evening...

Same bat time, same bat channel

Hey osnafrank - look - you can get it in German!

 

[osnafrank]

And i never read it

 

[Neesy]

And i never read it

It's just a short story - I can try to find the link to the PDF in English if you are interested - that is how I read it - on-line.



Edit: Here it is:

Batman and Robin have an altercation | Harper's Magazine

 

[fljoe0]

This is a simple and sad story and one I'm sure all of us can relate to on some level. In Steve's introduction, he explained he had part of the story but had to wait a while for the idea of how to finish it. I thought it was kind of funny that Steve could see an act of road rage and it could inspire the ending for this sad story.

 

[Spideyman]

I found it to be an enjoyable story. It took us in unexpected directions that were moving emotionally, and frightening too. The routine they shared, the dealing with his dad's mental decline, and that one shinning moment when the dad comes to the rescue.

 

[Blake]

What is 'Heyne'? How come the thing is written in German? I'll post about this story later on.

 

[Spideyman]

What is 'Heyne'? How come the thing is written in German? I'll post about this story later on.

I believe Neesy was posting an image of the German cover of the story for Frank.

 

[GNTLGNT]

....I struggled emotionally with this one from the simple fact that I have lost two grandparents to dementia.....carved very close to the mental bone.....yet the tragically funny elements saved it for me, that and the karmic violence....

 

[fljoe0]

....I struggled emotionally with this one from the simple fact that I have lost two grandparents to dementia.....carved very close to the mental bone.....yet the tragically funny elements saved it for me, that and the karmic violence....

Only Steve could craft a violent ending to this kind of story.

 

[HollyGolightly]

Hi friends! Sorry I missed last night - I didn't get home from work until 8pm, and I went in at 7:30am. Poor me I just took my glass of wine to the bedroom and went straight to sleep. My job can be very dramatic. Sometimes I wish I just put the lids on toothpaste tubes for a living (if you read Charlie & the Chocolate Factory, you might remember this was Charlie's dad's job). Dull but predictable, clock in - clock out. Go home. Anyhow!

Gan - what a great story you picked Neesy - 'twas a pleasure to re-read. Like so many of Stephen King's books & stories - it's got everything. So many emotions to grapple with. A deep understanding of the sorrow of dementia and being a care taker ( I thought of you GNTLGNT and you Dana Jean ) . Learning all those sweet and sordid details of your parent's marriage. Seeing moments of your childhood through those grownup memories - It was heartbreaking and rewarding throughout. Dad gets to be the hero, sort of. You're still left hanging - there's going to be so much more to have to deal with now. I wonder how he (SK) does this. Many of those stories in Bazaar of Bad Dreams are like this- so much more than the horror he's known for. Just a reminder of how deep and intense his talent is.

Happy Thursday everyone. Take it easy!

 

[Neesy]

Hi friends! Sorry I missed last night - I didn't get home from work until 8pm, and I went in at 7:30am. Poor me I just took my glass of wine to the bedroom and went straight to sleep. My job can be very dramatic. Sometimes I wish I just put the lids on toothpaste tubes for a living (if you read Charlie & the Chocolate Factory, you might remember this was Charlie's dad's job). Dull but predictable, clock in - clock out. Go home. Anyhow!

Gan - what a great story you picked Neesy - 'twas a pleasure to re-read. Like so many of Stephen King's books & stories - it's got everything. So many emotions to grapple with. A deep understanding of the sorrow of dementia and being a care taker ( I thought of you GNTLGNT and you Dana Jean ) . Learning all those sweet and sordid details of your parent's marriage. Seeing moments of your childhood through those grownup memories - It was heartbreaking and rewarding throughout. Dad gets to be the hero, sort of. You're still left hanging - there's going to be so much more to have to deal with now. I wonder how he (SK) does this. Many of those stories in Bazaar of Bad Dreams are like this- so much more than the horror he's known for. Just a reminder of how deep and intense his talent is.

Happy Thursday everyone. Take it easy!

Oh no - I did it again! Sorry - I must have Alzheimers

 

[Neesy]

Wow - I cannot believe this happened - I agree to host a discussion then I go MIA

I could sympathize with the character in the story as my Dad also had Alzheimer's disease - that was horrible for him and for everyone in our family. I won't go into details but was surprised when I saw the title and then after starting to read, realized that this terrible disease was part of the story.

Overall Dad got the last laugh in the end and became the hero. He had a momentary window where things became clear to him and I think he acted on instinct, thereby saving the day for his son.

This was a very good story with a surprise ending. It caught my attention and I enjoyed it a lot.

 

[Dana Jean]

When those roller coaster wheels come off the track and the brakes don't work, you are at the mercy of the run. You just do your best to keep your hands inside the ride.

Living with and loving someone with Alzheimer's is a tragic, off-kilter existence. Would'ves, should'ves, could'ves, why?

Such a touching story where the world tilted.

 

[Spideyman]

Would someone like to volunteer to pick a short story and lead the discussion group/ Maybe January 9, 2019 giving time to de -stress after the holidays?

 

[Neesy]

When those roller coaster wheels come off the track and the brakes don't work, you are at the mercy of the run. You just do your best to keep your hands inside the ride.

Living with and loving someone with Alzheimer's is a tragic, off kilter existence. Would'ves, should'ves, could'ves, why? Such a touching story where the world tilted.

It's funny - I just posted that comment above "I must have Alzheimer's" without considering the story and the fact that it was part of the plot.

God - hope I am not "losing the plot"

- keeping my fingers crossed that it is not hereditary. My sis in Toronto smokes pot and that is supposed to affect your memory.

I've been looking into getting cannabis oil but I want the kind with the CBD in it, not the high levels of THC. (You don't get high from this type but it is supposed to be good for anxiety).

 

[HollyGolightly]

Wow - I cannot believe this happened - I agree to host a discussion then I go MIA

I could sympathize with the character in the story as my Dad also had Alzheimer's disease - that was horrible for him and for everyone in our family. I won't go into details but was surprised when I saw the title and then after starting to read, realized that this terrible disease was part of the story.

Overall Dad got the last laugh in the end and became the hero. He had a momentary window where things became clear to him and I think he acted on instinct, thereby saving the day for his son.

This was a very good story with a surprise ending. It caught my attention and I enjoyed it a lot.

See I had a totally different opinion on that - I thought "Jesus God almighty - that Neesy! She's early on her discussion! "

I saw where you posted Tuesday and knew I'd be blowing it - Wednesday has been barreling down on me since August - I knew it was coming.

Spoiler

Fest of Our Lady of Guadalupe - a huge huge event here where I work and play)

Perception is everything.

When those roller coaster wheels come off the track and the brakes don't work, you are at the mercy of the run. You just do your best to keep your hands inside the ride.

Living with and loving someone with Alzheimer's is a tragic, off kilter existence. Would'ves, should'ves, could'ves, why? Such a touching story where the world tilted.

Vivid and touching

 

[doowopgirl]

I know I'm very late to the party but I'm wading in anyway. Only SK can take a sad situation and find funny and heroic.

 

[Neesy]

See I had a totally different opinion on that - I thought "Jesus God almighty - that Neesy! She's early on her discussion! "

I saw where you posted Tuesday and knew I'd be blowing it - Wednesday has been barreling down on me since August - I knew it was coming.

Spoiler

View attachment 28982
Fest of Our Lady of Guadalupe - a huge huge event here where I work and play)

Perception is everything.



Vivid and touching

Hi Holly

I guess that is one way of looking at it - I was really early!

Wednesday I made chicken drumsticks (a new recipe) and then after supper I remembered Survivor was on and we were taping it. Hard to believe I could remember that but forgot that I should be here reading posts on this forum instead.

Hope you had a good Fest of Our Lady of Guadalupe!

I know I'm very late to the party but I'm wading in anyway. Only SK can take a sad situation and find funny and heroic.

Better late than never! How's the weather over in Ireland today?

 

[doowopgirl]

Hi Holly

I guess that is one way of looking at it - I was really early!

Wednesday I made chicken drumsticks (a new recipe) and then after supper I remembered Survivor was on and we were taping it. Hard to believe I could remember that but forgot that I should be here reading posts on this forum instead.

Hope you had a good Fest of Our Lady of Guadalupe!



Better late than never! How's the weather over in Ireland today?

Cold. 8 degrees C, around 40 ish F. Wet, but not too bad. Typical for the time of year. How's your weather?

 

[Neesy]

Cold. 8 degrees C, around 40 ish F. Wet, but not too bad. Typical for the time of year. How's your weather?

We are having a mild day - it is minus 1° C without any wind