I felt the claustrophobia intensely ... could also imagine the mother of the boy in another situation bemoaning how she tries to talk to people but they never really seem to listen; they always seem to want to get away ... the curse of such talkers, oblivious to how skilled they are at cornering listeners and closing their ears down x
excellent story the juxtaposition of the madness in the street and in the car and what is being projected or even evacuated into the narrator and then the articulation of what the child is unable to symbolise, and then carted around psychiatrists. thank you.
THE Assault ! A brilliant description of.a.situation a number of people must have been in, apart from the details, when a person just feels they cannot extricate themselves from a dominating force, a tirade of energetic speech which fill one with conflict and confusion, " why don't I make a run for it "......a compelling read....
Hanif, it begins mundane and through the first woman’s escalating psychological discomfort becomes somehow sinister. I liked the tension, and I thought it even felt a little suspenseful. I liked the suggestion of class differences, and I believe that’s a an important point here. People can calculate how to get their needs met and the car driver found a polite patsy, relative stranger of lesser means, to trap in her car, as captured audience.
The driver’s got a huge sense of entitlement. (Frankly, I personally detest these kind of people, and they’re everywhere.) What I really liked was how the timid ‘go along to get along’ mother had an emotional revelation: she felt the stirring of anger. I loved how you had her hand on the door handle, handcuffed by the driver-mother’s unrelenting verbiage.
Given the polite mother’s pov, we’re sharing her angst as she wonders why she’s so unassertive, and trapped in a car with this blabbing narcissist. No answer for that question. The device of using her recalling her husband’s comment about her own finger pointing, authoritarian sounding mother pretty much worked, as the polite mum endured the same from her car captor.
And there, in the end, given the lunatic driver, and the local madman outside the car, she’s better off on the sidewalk. Maybe she’s learned something about herself.
I liked the story; I admire your economic writing, which frequently moves me. I feel as if I’m learning from you.
A powerful, intriguing story. It brings up a subject that comes to mind of a writer who sent me a link to a lecture by Luke Archer on 'Verbal Aikido' on how to navigate confrontation. In hindsight I veer towards being more empathetic with the woman who's the passenger. Maybe it's because she's not in control, trapped in a car and unable to gather the confidence to and listen to her inner voice and get out of the car. The woman driving the car almost mirrors the situation. Nobody listens to her and stress of her child's behavioural problems.
In life we have listeners and talkers. There's always a tug of war between the two. Sometimes there's an inability to get someone to listen to you for various reasons, and visa versa for talkers.
I'd be interested to read a longer story on this scenario.
The unavoidable parental influence which has life long effects - exaggerated serves to show us the range of it. She was pinned by it. And that could easily happen - a torrent of angst how to say stop - but really you’re not expected to say anything. We all on the madness register anyway.
Back to you / how on earth are you / you are a captive just now too. Just remembered something to tell you which is nothing to do with the story but I wanted to tell you in case it works for you. A teaspoon of freshly grated ginger 🫚 in 4 teacups of boiled water (approx 600 ml I think)will dispel your nauseous feelings. It can be strained through a tea strainer and decanted into a suitable container for you - if you are able to use a straw at all or if not perhaps your good family can help. Here’s the best bit - I was totally expecting the ginger to smell of ginger!! That strong smell but no!! It is a gorgeous lemony experience. Just in case it helps you. Back to me then my battle with the energy supplier has taken itself to their trading office in a formal letter of complaint yes. I am still reading about the 7th century here in our tiny island and otherwise the tennis is on and the Ashes. I know you have turned away from all of this but I do recommend music - it uplifts. So I’m watching (itv) the voice kids it’s on now.
Much love and thank you for the story Hanif it has prodded my mind. Love Maddi from a tiny village in North Yorkshire xxxxx
I felt the claustrophobia intensely ... could also imagine the mother of the boy in another situation bemoaning how she tries to talk to people but they never really seem to listen; they always seem to want to get away ... the curse of such talkers, oblivious to how skilled they are at cornering listeners and closing their ears down x
This feels so much like the conversations I used to have with people suffering from bipolar disorder during their hypomanic phase.
excellent story the juxtaposition of the madness in the street and in the car and what is being projected or even evacuated into the narrator and then the articulation of what the child is unable to symbolise, and then carted around psychiatrists. thank you.
THE Assault ! A brilliant description of.a.situation a number of people must have been in, apart from the details, when a person just feels they cannot extricate themselves from a dominating force, a tirade of energetic speech which fill one with conflict and confusion, " why don't I make a run for it "......a compelling read....
That sense of threat inside and out is a marvel. El Angel Exterminador of politeness.
That was intense--I felt trapped in the car with them...although I would have bolted
I loved this. I like the way it lulls you in with the mundane, the regular and then hits you with a prodound insight. Great piece.
Is it new or was it old? The reference to blackberries kind of dates it! :-)
I attract people like this. They constantly absorb me and I’m frequently crushed under an injustice. Hideous!
Hanif, it begins mundane and through the first woman’s escalating psychological discomfort becomes somehow sinister. I liked the tension, and I thought it even felt a little suspenseful. I liked the suggestion of class differences, and I believe that’s a an important point here. People can calculate how to get their needs met and the car driver found a polite patsy, relative stranger of lesser means, to trap in her car, as captured audience.
The driver’s got a huge sense of entitlement. (Frankly, I personally detest these kind of people, and they’re everywhere.) What I really liked was how the timid ‘go along to get along’ mother had an emotional revelation: she felt the stirring of anger. I loved how you had her hand on the door handle, handcuffed by the driver-mother’s unrelenting verbiage.
Given the polite mother’s pov, we’re sharing her angst as she wonders why she’s so unassertive, and trapped in a car with this blabbing narcissist. No answer for that question. The device of using her recalling her husband’s comment about her own finger pointing, authoritarian sounding mother pretty much worked, as the polite mum endured the same from her car captor.
And there, in the end, given the lunatic driver, and the local madman outside the car, she’s better off on the sidewalk. Maybe she’s learned something about herself.
I liked the story; I admire your economic writing, which frequently moves me. I feel as if I’m learning from you.
Thank you!
Mando un abbraccio grande.
I feel bad that I laughed at the ending. Good story.
A powerful, intriguing story. It brings up a subject that comes to mind of a writer who sent me a link to a lecture by Luke Archer on 'Verbal Aikido' on how to navigate confrontation. In hindsight I veer towards being more empathetic with the woman who's the passenger. Maybe it's because she's not in control, trapped in a car and unable to gather the confidence to and listen to her inner voice and get out of the car. The woman driving the car almost mirrors the situation. Nobody listens to her and stress of her child's behavioural problems.
In life we have listeners and talkers. There's always a tug of war between the two. Sometimes there's an inability to get someone to listen to you for various reasons, and visa versa for talkers.
I'd be interested to read a longer story on this scenario.
The unavoidable parental influence which has life long effects - exaggerated serves to show us the range of it. She was pinned by it. And that could easily happen - a torrent of angst how to say stop - but really you’re not expected to say anything. We all on the madness register anyway.
Back to you / how on earth are you / you are a captive just now too. Just remembered something to tell you which is nothing to do with the story but I wanted to tell you in case it works for you. A teaspoon of freshly grated ginger 🫚 in 4 teacups of boiled water (approx 600 ml I think)will dispel your nauseous feelings. It can be strained through a tea strainer and decanted into a suitable container for you - if you are able to use a straw at all or if not perhaps your good family can help. Here’s the best bit - I was totally expecting the ginger to smell of ginger!! That strong smell but no!! It is a gorgeous lemony experience. Just in case it helps you. Back to me then my battle with the energy supplier has taken itself to their trading office in a formal letter of complaint yes. I am still reading about the 7th century here in our tiny island and otherwise the tennis is on and the Ashes. I know you have turned away from all of this but I do recommend music - it uplifts. So I’m watching (itv) the voice kids it’s on now.
Much love and thank you for the story Hanif it has prodded my mind. Love Maddi from a tiny village in North Yorkshire xxxxx
Breathless read!
What an excellent piece of writing. I was mesmerized. Thank you.
Brilliant
Not a wasted word – really enjoyed it. Great to have you here, too.