Danni Keane

I've been noticing that I seem to have a different preference for the LiAW stories compared to the other reviewers. The stories that I love, a lot of other people rate lower, and the stories others rave about, I rate lower. It's very interesting.

For instance this story. I loved it. I loved the fast tempo of the writing and the interaction of the characters and didn't have any trouble with how the story didn't give much detail into the divorce and the daughter situation. That wasn't the point of the story. The story was about the relationship of Nick and Sam. The reader doesn't need all that background stuff because the story is about a certain instance in time not a whole huge history. That's why a story like this that can pull an event all together in a snug package works well for me.

I loved how the author conveyed the 'bounciness' that was Sam, and the sullen loneliness that was Nick. I liked the minor story background of the daughter that turned into an explosive point of contention on Nick's part. The characters are distinctive, Sam is confident, open and thoughtful, a contradiction to Nick who's unsure, retiring and selfish.

Hard Ride hit a lot of the spots of what I like to read in a story and did it well as a short. I enjoyed it very much and wouldn't mind reading more about Nick and Sam in the future :)… (mais)