Part of Gene Kendall’s short story collection Ten Tiny Tales: Stories of Broken Elevators and Other Mundane Things

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Ten Tiny Tales: Stories of Broken Elevators and Other Mundane Things by Gene Kendall

I read the “Quotidian Struggle” by Gene Kendall. The story, which is nearly all dialogue, made me wonder about the differences between a work that is complete dialogue that is called a story and a work that is complete dialogue that is a play. Not much I, I suppose. Perhaps the way the speakers are introduced each time they say something (colons versus quotation marks) and a little bit of a stage direction here and there.

Why do I bring this up? I think because whenever an author gets you to start questioning something, anything, they have in a way succeeded. But beyond that, I felt like this story would be perfect for the stage. Kendall’s ability to poke fun at the literati and the eggheads amongst us would do well live. His humorous efforts result in a victory, at least in this story, for the common wo/man over the elitist. That’s another thing that would be appreciated on stage.

Stylistically, I get notes of John Kennedy Toole in the paradoxical intelligent buffoonery of the main character. Additional flavors in the story include tongue and cheek humor and sharp-witted correspondence reminiscent of classic sitcom. He makes the mundane fun.



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David O’Boyle is an

Author
Lawyer
Mooncalf
Finboy
Friend from Other Flower Pot
Transient Visitor
Earthling
Pro-Pluto
Maybe someday a Martian
Lover of Giants and Leprechauns and elves
ambassador to mummies and vampires.

David’s works are available in the shop!