"Last Stand" by Niki Burnham. from Breaking Up Is Hard To Do. 2008. Graphia. ISBN: 9780547014999Last Stand is a bit longer than the stories I usually feature in the short story spotlight. It’s actually more of a novella than a short story, and it comes from a collection of four such novellas entitled Breaking Up is Hard To Do. I like break-up stories, and I love Niki Burnham, so when I discovered this book at the library in my town (as opposed to the library I work in), I knew I wanted to read at least her story. As it turned out, Burnham’s story is the only one I read, partly because I just couldn’t stand to leave the world of Last Stand once I was so heavily invested.
Toby and his girlfriend, Amber, have been together for a while, and he’s happy with the way things are. Amber, however, wants more. Specifically, she wants to have sex with Toby, even though he’s really not ready. Toby tries to explain his feelings without insulting Amber, but as he works to save their relationship, he starts to realize the many reasons it might be time to move on. At the same time, he starts to understand that he might be too nice to people, and that he needs to carve out some space for himself, instead of always putting everyone else first.
When I first started reading this story, I was expecting the conversational tone of the other Niki Burnham books I’ve read, all of which are from the Simon Romantic Comedies series. What stood out for me about Last Stand is how different it actually is from those fluffier, feel-good stories. Last Stand deals with a very serious issue, and from a unique point of view. It’s easy to find a story about a boy who pressures a girl for sex, but more difficult to find the reverse situation. Burnham tackles it very honestly and believably, and Toby becomes a very sympathetic character.
The supporting characters are also wonderful additions to the story. Toby’s older sister, Keira, who is a young single mom running her own business is the chief influence in Toby’s life, and the number one recipient of his selfless kindness. His best friend, Griff, stands by him through the worst of Amber’s anger and cruelty and supports him as he works through the breakup. And Ginger, a female classmate of Toby’s is the one who talks sense into him, reminding him that it’s not all about Amber or Keira.
The writing in the story is very precise and evocative. I got to know the characters quickly, and wished I could have spent 100 more pages with them. The dialogue is perfect, and even though Amber is the villain of the story, Burnham makes sure we can still understand how Toby could have fallen for her and stayed with her for so long.
Like many of Niki Burnham’s stories, Last Stand is available as an ebook, as well as in the original collection it was taken from, which is still in print. I recommend it to fans of her work, as well as to teens struggling to understand or justify a recent break-up.
I borrowed Breaking Up Is Hard To Do from my local public library.
For more about this book, visit Goodreads and Worldcat.
Hiç yorum yok:
Yorum Gönder