Issue Thirty

1. As always, Diane Posts’ writing is thought provoking and insightful. Posts’ raw style is never candy coated; her commitment to human rights and confronting injustice in the face of adversity takes a level of commitment that is an inspiration to anyone whose life she has touched.

2. Dianne Post’s story about a young man is crisp, delicate, pointed, and ambiguous all at once. She quickly crafts a character with sensitivity to life, the people he cares about, and the details of how to live. I knew from the outset I’d be sad at the end. I guessed the implications. I wonder how we can create a world that doesn’t oppress the ones who don’t “fit in.”

3. The Last Night Out reminds me of the O’Henry short stories. It has an intriguing beginning and it reads in one breath. It is a funny and at the same time a sad story about a boy, who is even though already nineteen and is capable of making hard decisions, is still in essence just a child…

4. M.N. (Michael) O’Brien’s poem, “Life after Christmas” brilliantly illustrates the loss of innocence, through examples of surrealism without succumbing to the metaphysical entrapment many poems are lost in. It travels a child’s perception of importance “(the checkbook oracles/the supermarket pilgrimage),” through the loss innocence and divinity of others “(A broken toy that cannot be repaired/a crucible, an apple, a casualness/…Now it seems God only exists as a book/shelved between the weather and the lottery),” and ends with self-realizations and a sense of mature beauty that was not recognized by the innocence of youth, ending with a Whitman sensibility, “(From the gold mine death of dreams/I awoke to the butter eyes of spring/…I walked once more in the garden, thinking of Whitman/and now it seems to me the beautiful uncut hair of graves).” I’m excited to see some of his other works.

5. Dianne’s story is like most of her writing – unexpected results. I thoroughly enjoyed it and look forward to another one.

6. I was so touched by “The Last Night Out” by Dianne Post. So poignant, so touching and so well executed, transporting the reader into that boy’s head and his last night. Bravo, Dianne.

7. This is my first visit to Crackthespine – what a gift! I loved Dianne Post’s, Last Night Out. As was mentioned by someone else, there is a premonition of sadness, but the story was not really predictable. The writing is terrific.

8. I enjoyed reading the magazine, and in particular – the story by Dianne Post. I loved her airy, clear writing. The story is intriguing, although there is a sense of sadness you can feel beginning from the first words. I was still hoping for the happy ending, though – the boy is so good-hearted and nice!

9. Post’s lean, direct writing style defines a certain simplicity streaming through the complex and confusing mire of adolescence. She has written a simple story that beckons us to sit up and take notice of our youth, tomorrow’s leaders.

10. I like the story by Dianne Post. Though very sad it must reflect the author’s inner world. Not everything is clear but it is better this way than just a happy-end story.

11. Bravo to Dianne Post for her story “The Last Night Out”. I look forward to seeing more of her work in print.

12. “The Last Night Out” is a wonderful story. The balance between dialogue and action is perfect. It was both visual and reflective. I would love to read more my this author. The title, I think, hurts this beautiful story. Why give away the ending with the words “last night?”

13. I like the “Last Night Out.” It makes me want to read more because of its unpredictability. When will the next issue be?

Comments are closed.