Good Story Friday

Books are important to writers. I am always reading when I have time. Every week I will review the last story or novel I have read. This week's is Foot by Darrin Doyle, who spoke on campus this past Tuesday.

Despite being very short, Foot is unpredictable. Doyle gives the picture of a happy married couple who have just had their first child. Dad's a head chef at a four-star restaurant. Mom is staying at home with the child. Their life seems nice.

Yet, their son has a very unusual appetite. He does not eat what most of us would consider food. Instead, he prefers motor oil and other strange appetizers.

What are his parents to do? Head Chef Father's gourmet mac and cheese is only being eaten by, well, Head Chef Father. To be fair to the child, I would not have eaten gourmet macaroni and cheese either. Although, I would still eat those cereal foods.

They do what most of us would not do. They indulge him. I found this typical of how wealthy parents are portrayed as treating their children in most media. What is unusual is what they do when his tastes turn to flesh.

This story left a bad taste in my mouth. The characters, including the child, start out believable, but the very last paragraphs made me lose any appetite I would have had for quite some time. I do not want to give away the ending, but be prepared to feel disgust if you do read it.

While Foot did murder my appetite, I still liked it. It shows the problems with indulgence, greed, gluttony, and revenge. I could probably read it again for many reasons. I could see people I know as the characters even in the unbelievable instances. If you are ready for something unconventional, I suggest reading this very quick read by Darrin Doyle.