Hello and welcome to the first edition of The New Absurdist‘s ‘Siskel and Deadebert’ story reviews. As you may or may not know, Deadebert has been, well...dead for some time now. He can no longer give the thumbs up so we’ll have to do rotting appendages. I myself, Gene Siskel, am NOT dead, but I have infected my limbs with gangrene, so that I may also give a rotting appendage up or down. This week’s story is going to be 'Minutiae' by Jeffrey S. Callico.
Deadebert: Major themes in this story are television and beer. Siskel: Indeed Deadebert, indeed. These are 2 tools which Mr. Callico uses to tell us his story. Many details regarding the main characters are left out completely -- like their names -- so their feelings about alcohol and TV are what we have to go by. Deadebert: The stories turning point is its physical middle. After what appears to be a great, fun time full of comfortable interaction between our 'man' and 'woman', the man hits the high road. Doesn’t look like he was in this for a ‘relationship’. Siskel: Kind of like me, and your old lady. Hey man, she’s been lonely since you died! Deadebert: What do I care? I’m decomposing! Besides I have a special relationship with worms now.
Siskel: Anyways, after a night of drinking followed by a large breakfast, the downward action begins to play out. Deadebert: Before this, the reader kind of has empathy for the 'man'; the actual perspective stays 3rd person throughout, but our focus is more or less shifted to the 'woman'. Siskel: Indeed, Deadebert. The woman tries to reconcile with her estranged boyfriend, but to no avail. This is the point where some serious questions are raised. Deadebert: Did the man’s father really die, or is this a sick excuse to dodge the woman? Siskel: I’m not sure. Then we come back to the familiar elements of the boob tube and Old Style. Deadebert: But something has changed -- both are now portrayed in a negative light. The woman seems to be drinking to kill her problems and the TV burns out.
Siskel: The many holes that Mr. Callico leaves the reader to fill in provides what I feel to be a great read and a good example of absurdism. Deadebert: Agreed. I give it one rotten appendage up. Siskel: Same here, brother. I’m off to fuck your wife now. Deadebert: More power to you, pal.