“Near the Meandering Way” by Tim Baer
“Godspeed” by Chris Miller
“PB&J (A Tale of Conquest)” by Marshall Payne
“Near the Meandering Way” by Tim Baer starts out like a fairy tale with charming names for places, a great title, and the personification of animals. But the story has two problems: it doesn’t go anywhere, and it doesn’t go anywhere in a roundabout way. The narrative meanders all over the place, quoting Scripture yet not teaching any lessons. Nothing happens except that two animals speak to each other, and the ending disappoints because nothing has changed. While I did like the reference to Alice in Wonderland at the beginning as well as the true nature of sparrows being displayed in one character, despite the promise displayed in the beginning, as it is, “Near the Meandering Way” is very unsatisfying.
“Godspeed” by Chris Miller is an interesting analogy of our lives beyond our awareness. He equates being born and dying to scientific technologies that are matter-of-fact to those who know how they work but frightening and strange to those who do not. Father Daniel learns a lot about himself and his God and about those outside his circle of belief—the running theme of this story.
“PB&J (A Tale of Conquest)” by Marshall Payne is the most entertaining read I have come across in a while. I found measuring time via the passage of heartbeats to be fresh and inventive, and the author possesses a precise command of the written word, wielding them with enviable ease. A being from another world is sent to Earth on a recon mission, and he takes the form of an Earthling, Lance.
The point of view switch is flawless and hardly noticeable. Lance, with new persona in tow, discovers that a peanut butter and jelly sandwich is the greatest wish of humans, and he develops a taste for it himself. How his superiors will view his new appetite is yet to be seen.