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Tenth of December, George Saunders stories

Victory Lap

Liked it a lot.  Plot.  Teenaged girl home alone. Her thoughts, memories, inanities.  The randomness of her shift is convincing.  Neighbor boy whom she considers a dork comes home.  We switch to him. Controlling parents. His thoughts. Oh my God, I left my shoes on.  Other thoughts, such as, why do I hate my parents so much when they are . . . Well, what are they?  Overbearing.  Curses them in his head.  "Meter Man" knocks on back door.  Girl opens it.  He's actually rapist/murderer.  We get into his head.  Saw the girl, fantasized about her. His concerns that he be a proficient rapist/murderer and not screw up.  Boy sees girl being dragged to car.  He considers doing something, then thinks not, then does. Girl escapes, is amazed that this nerdy boy has done what he's done. She thinks it's surreal, phones the police.

The switching of consciousness among characters is very effective, as is the voice of each of the characters.  Story felt very different and very good.

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