Sunday, September 4, 2022

Short Story by Lauren Groff: Junket

 


No matter the topic and the approach, I am fascinated by Lauren Groff´s writing and although I was at a certain extent disappointed by Matrix - the historian in my can revolt sometimes against the passionate lover of beautiful words - my admiration for her style and choice of words remains. Thus, I couldn´t think twice when I discovered a short story she wrote for Scribd, Junket, available in audiobook format read with passion by Suehyla Al-Attar

The story is based on a novel she was working on, but didn´t continue. It features a writer who is invited to take part to a writing retreat, with Botoxed co-participants, fascinated by crystals and new-age hopes for a prolific writing. She is trying to survive a break-up - the ex took not only her books, but also the cats - and her human need of affection and touch. She is part-observer, part-actor, because in a way this is the fascinating paradoxical strength of alternative medicine and realms in general: they are illogical enough to make us take them seriously. 

Junket is a one-hour long, but within this short amount of time it aims much better at the ridiculous and superficial world of the retreats than if it would have use the amount of several more hours. Maybe it was better that it turned to be only a short story: for a novel it would have just repeat some stereotypes easy to be found in other books on the topic. Thus, it focus on the story as it is, without any further development. As usual, Groff´s writing never disappoints.

Rating: 3.5 stars

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