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The Burden
Ethan Mathews is worried about his mother. She's old, in a nursing home, but worst of all seems to be losing her senses. But, when she tells him an incredible family secret, it makes him wonder if she isn't actually going out of her mind. Regardless, Ethan knows he will never see things the same again.
- GenresShort Stories
13 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 31, 2012
12 people are currently reading
80 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
September 6, 2012
I am not usually a fan of short stories. I liked this one. Ethan is an older man, retired from work, and a veteran of Vietnam. His mother is a resident in a nursing -Ethan's point of reference is 'modern day leper colony'. He dreads visiting his mother, partly because she often doesn't recognize him, partly because he's a little afraid of her.
On one particular visit, she is lucid and says she must tell him something.Ethan doesn't want to hear it, but he listens.The tale she tells is as frightening as it is terrifying.
On one particular visit, she is lucid and says she must tell him something.Ethan doesn't want to hear it, but he listens.The tale she tells is as frightening as it is terrifying.
August 14, 2012
I thought that the story was done very well. Although short, the reader was given quite a bit of information and the dynamic between the mother and son was very believable. The Burden was thoroughly enjoyed.
September 11, 2012
It was freeby on amazon so I got it.Nothing special in this book.The hero is old,very old and his mother 93 on medication.I am surprised the author wrote a story in 15 pages.
June 19, 2014
Short and to the point.
Great little story about one family's dysfunctional life. As his mother is on her last legs of sanity or life itself and relates a secret story of his very existence and what life was like for her before he came along. She relieves herself of these secrets she has been keeping and now her son is unsure if this is an accurate accounting or just and aged mind fabricating this tale. Pick up this quick read for an interesting perspective on how the mind works when trying to protect oneself.
Great little story about one family's dysfunctional life. As his mother is on her last legs of sanity or life itself and relates a secret story of his very existence and what life was like for her before he came along. She relieves herself of these secrets she has been keeping and now her son is unsure if this is an accurate accounting or just and aged mind fabricating this tale. Pick up this quick read for an interesting perspective on how the mind works when trying to protect oneself.
June 21, 2014
Wow. I really liked this short story. It was a quick read and the characters in it were believable. It's multi-generational, with the mother telling the son some family secrets and making a request before she dies. The storytelling is vivid and real. It makes one wonder about the stories in everyone, especially those consigned to a nursing home. Very good and well written. I recommend it.
July 23, 2013
This is a tightly-focused, compelling short story with a fascinating, multi-faceted central character at its core. A well-composed character study with some unexpected, but subtle surprises for the reader.
August 15, 2012
Interesting characters ...ended too soon, just when i thought the story was beginning.
September 5, 2012
Well written short story.
January 31, 2014
Short story. Ethan visit with his mother in assisted living home. Beginning Alzheimer's ? Mother told him her burden.
Death of his biological father; death of his grandfather.
Death of his biological father; death of his grandfather.
June 25, 2015
Great read for the all-to-little of what it was. Ended to soon. Had the potential to develop into a great novel.
October 7, 2012
Another short story that is worth the read.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews