January 1st, 2024 - Crown Heights North

Dear TNY,

It’s Tuesday because I took Christmas off and I just finished “Crown Heights North”.

And I don’t get it. 

It’s not that I don’t like it, per se.  Actually, I think the prose has chops and the details create vivid images.  I just don’t get the whole schtick.  The guy is dead.  He takes up running.  The afterlife appears to be another version of here?  And he muses about how he died and he runs some more?  I’m not sure who the woman is supposed to be.  I’m not sure what any of it is supposed to be, if anything.

I think that’s my problem with a lot of actual art, though.  Like Rothko.  What gives?  But at least this story was interesting to read and wasn’t just rectangles.  The scenes with the wife in the hospital were the best.  The musing the worst.

Anyway, I don’t think I have that much to say about this shit. 

My life is going okay.  I had some sad days.  But I pulled out.  The relationship went through some strengthening.  Things are good.  You and I haven’t talked in two weeks because I don’t think you put a story out last week?  It looked like you put art in the section instead.  But as you know, I don’t pay for your magazine so I can’t find out.

And it looks like next week you won’t have an issue out.  So this is it for this year.  I’m going to start the Year in Review process this week and have it ready for Monday.  Here’s to you, kid!

Nick