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Missing Rib
HE THOUGHT HE FOUND HIS OTHER HALF. HIS OTHER HALF DIDN’T AGREE. Since their break-up, Andrew McCarthy’s been laying around his apartment reliving the past. That stops the day his best friend browbeats him into being a groomsman at a wedding. The day is filled with events, both tragic and funny, that make Andrew think about what it means to find someone who fits him, like a missing rib.
33 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 28, 2013
3 people want to read
About the author
Alex Clermont
7 books49 followersALEX CLERMONT began his working career lifting boxes and selling junk while wearing the logos of various retailers across his chest. During that time, he attended the City University of New York at Hunter College and graduated with a Bachelor’s in English: Creative Writing. He became the managing editor of a magazine, an English teacher, and later, a copywriter and fiction author. His short stories have appeared in Foliate Oak, aaduna, Black Elephant Press and other publications. He published a collection of short stories titled, You, Me and the Rest of Us. His debut novel, We Are All Thieves, will be available in Spring 2020.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
May 15, 2013
*Copy of story supplied by Alex Clermont in return for an honest review*
I really enjoyed this short story by Alex Clermont, so much so that I didn’t want it to end. Considering its length there is a lot of drama and emotion expressed by the characters from sadness, hurt, guilt, lust and even a little humour.
Andrew, the central character is a very charming man and your heart feels for him. He is getting over a broken relationship, wondering if he’ll ever find that special someone, and for a brief moment feels like he has.
It is a well written story and it grabs you from the first page. It’s only a short story, approx 33 pages, but it’s so engaging that you want it to last longer. I think this story, if expanded, would may a great novel (hint hint). All the characters in this story, are very likeable and it’s easy to relate to the emotions they are experiencing.
One aspect of this story that I particularly enjoyed was the dialog from the characters. It was very natural and I did not stop to question whether or not someone would say that, particularly from male characters, as I find myself doing in romance novels written by women. It is refreshing!
If you need a quick fix of something great to read, then definitely give this story a try. I’m so glad I was given the opportunity to read and review this story. Thanks Alex!
Sharon's Book Nook Full Review
I really enjoyed this short story by Alex Clermont, so much so that I didn’t want it to end. Considering its length there is a lot of drama and emotion expressed by the characters from sadness, hurt, guilt, lust and even a little humour.
Andrew, the central character is a very charming man and your heart feels for him. He is getting over a broken relationship, wondering if he’ll ever find that special someone, and for a brief moment feels like he has.
It is a well written story and it grabs you from the first page. It’s only a short story, approx 33 pages, but it’s so engaging that you want it to last longer. I think this story, if expanded, would may a great novel (hint hint). All the characters in this story, are very likeable and it’s easy to relate to the emotions they are experiencing.
One aspect of this story that I particularly enjoyed was the dialog from the characters. It was very natural and I did not stop to question whether or not someone would say that, particularly from male characters, as I find myself doing in romance novels written by women. It is refreshing!
If you need a quick fix of something great to read, then definitely give this story a try. I’m so glad I was given the opportunity to read and review this story. Thanks Alex!
Sharon's Book Nook Full Review
May 15, 2014
A break up can make people do crazy things: forage on foods, sleep all day or falling for the wrong people to get over it. Human nature often makes people crave things they can’t or shouldn’t have, indulging in the forbidden.
Alex Clermont dives into this realm in his short story, looking at what could make someone be unfaithful – even on their wedding day.
Clermont’s story is realistic regardless of how you feel about the actions of the characters. The truth is people are complicated, scared and passionate.
When you pull the layers back to reveal all of those emotions, you get a quick tale like Clermont’s, a sensual piece that does not apologize for doing what feels right. It’s a snippet in Andrew’s life, who looks on at his friend’s family life, craving what he didn’t get to have when he was a child.
But you know what he learned? Nothing is perfect. Not the two live birds pictured on top of the cake, not the big family that loves and makes you laugh and not even the perfect girl who you can’t forget about.
**Originally written for "Books and Pals" book blog. May have received a free review copy. **
Alex Clermont dives into this realm in his short story, looking at what could make someone be unfaithful – even on their wedding day.
Clermont’s story is realistic regardless of how you feel about the actions of the characters. The truth is people are complicated, scared and passionate.
When you pull the layers back to reveal all of those emotions, you get a quick tale like Clermont’s, a sensual piece that does not apologize for doing what feels right. It’s a snippet in Andrew’s life, who looks on at his friend’s family life, craving what he didn’t get to have when he was a child.
But you know what he learned? Nothing is perfect. Not the two live birds pictured on top of the cake, not the big family that loves and makes you laugh and not even the perfect girl who you can’t forget about.
**Originally written for "Books and Pals" book blog. May have received a free review copy. **
June 21, 2013
How much I enjoyed the book: 7/10
How good the book was: 7/10
I’m not a fan of short stories. Never have been, never will be. Missing Rib is the very definition of a short story, yet Alex Clermont somehow managed to engage me to the extent that I couldn’t tear my eyes away from the book. I was quite happy to read the book in its entirety in one go.
Missing Rib begins and ends with our main character Andrew, with an uncomplicated plot that describes the events that take place in the space of 24 hours. In these mundane moments, Andrew begins to put his post-break up life back together.
I also liked the fact that story had an overall moral. Missing Rib reminds us of some very important life lessons: life doesn’t always pan out as expected, and that ‘perfect’ people don’t exist.
I enjoyed reading Missing Rib, but I couldn’t help but feel cheated once I’d got to the end. There was no resolution to Andrew’s story – it just ended. But that’s the trouble with short stories, they’re just too short!
How good the book was: 7/10
I’m not a fan of short stories. Never have been, never will be. Missing Rib is the very definition of a short story, yet Alex Clermont somehow managed to engage me to the extent that I couldn’t tear my eyes away from the book. I was quite happy to read the book in its entirety in one go.
Missing Rib begins and ends with our main character Andrew, with an uncomplicated plot that describes the events that take place in the space of 24 hours. In these mundane moments, Andrew begins to put his post-break up life back together.
I also liked the fact that story had an overall moral. Missing Rib reminds us of some very important life lessons: life doesn’t always pan out as expected, and that ‘perfect’ people don’t exist.
I enjoyed reading Missing Rib, but I couldn’t help but feel cheated once I’d got to the end. There was no resolution to Andrew’s story – it just ended. But that’s the trouble with short stories, they’re just too short!
May 25, 2013
Missing Rib by Alex Clermont is a very drama filled short story that catches your attention. I found myself flipping through these pages very quickly. It always amazes me how an author can tell such a wonderful story in so few pages. If you are looking for a quick read with some romance and drama thrown in, I think you will enjoy this one.
Andrew McCarthy agreed to fill in for a groomsman at his friend's cousin's wedding. He finds himself not only filling in as the groomsman but also running a few errands to help out before the ceremony. Andrew finds himself in an awkward situation. I don't want to give to much of the story away so I'll just let you read Missing Rib for yourself and discover what that situation is.
I really enjoyed Alex's style of writing and would definitely be interested in reading more of his work.
Andrew McCarthy agreed to fill in for a groomsman at his friend's cousin's wedding. He finds himself not only filling in as the groomsman but also running a few errands to help out before the ceremony. Andrew finds himself in an awkward situation. I don't want to give to much of the story away so I'll just let you read Missing Rib for yourself and discover what that situation is.
I really enjoyed Alex's style of writing and would definitely be interested in reading more of his work.
November 24, 2018
This was a great short story about heartache, great sex, best friends and a secret!
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews