Matches: A poignant gay twist on the beloved Hans Christian Andersen classic

by Rick R. Reed

A poignant gay twist on the beloved Hans Christian Andersen classic, "The Little Match Girl"...

Christmas Eve should be a night filled with magic and love. But for Anderson, down on his luck and homeless in Chicago's frigid chill, it's a fight for survival. Whether he's sleeping on the el, or holed up in an abandoned car, all he really has are his memories to keep him warm: memories of a time when he loved a man named Welk and the world was perfect. When Anderson finds a book of discarded matches on the sidewalk, he pockets them. Later, trying to keep the cold at bay hunkered down in a church entryway, Anderson discovers the matches are the key to bringing his memories of Welk, happiness, and security to life. Within their flames, visions dance and perhaps a reunion with the man he loved most.

Genres: M M Romance, Holiday, Short Stories, Contemporary, Christmas, Romance, LGBT

23 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 7, 2011

About the author

Real Men. True Love.

Rick R. Reed is an award-winning and bestselling author of more than sixty works of published fiction, spanning genres such as horror, psychological suspense and love stories. He is a Lambda Literary Award finalist and a multiple Rainbow Award winner.

Entertainment Weekly has described his work as “heartrending and sensitive.” Lambda Literary has called him: “A writer that doesn’t disappoint…”

Find him at www.rickrreedreality.blogspot.com. Rick lives in Palm Springs, CA, with his two rescue dogs, Kodi and Joaquin.

Reviews

[kohey · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s a modern remake of “The Little Match Girl”.Depending on how you find the ending,it is a sharp reminder of what a cold world we live in,especially when the chips are down.

[Simsala · Rating 5 out of 5]

Damn,Rick!You did that on purpose!
What a beautiful,heartwrenching,sad little story!
Cried my eyes out....

[Sandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having lost everything in the recession, including his job and his home, and having lost his husband to a tragic accident, there's not much left to live for, when Anderson finds himself dreaming of days gone by, while he tries to stay warm on Christmas Eve in Chicago.

Poor, homeless, he's chased away from his one source of warmth, and much like the Little Girl with the Matchbook, his soul finds his way home.

This is not a fluffy story. It's about human suffering, and how so very often we look away when it comes to seeing those in need. It's about how we forget, cocooned in the warmth of our homes, with food in our bellies, that there are those less fortunate, and that they need a helping hand. It's a reminder that memories, no matter how beautiful they are, do nothing to keep you warm against the frigid winter.

If you're familiar with the story of the Little Girl with the Matchbook, you'll know how this story ends.

But what comes before the ending is so heart-wrenching, so beautifully written, that you're sobbing long before this short novella comes to a close.

[Debra ~~ seriously slacking on her reviews ~~ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was not familiar with the classic story this was based and therefore was not prepared for how sad the story was. It may not be a happy holiday story but it was touching and bittersweet in the end.

It did remind me of some important things that sometimes get pushed aside and I immediately looked up the Amazon wish list of the local homeless LGBT youth organization and sent some winter basics. Hopefully others who read it and are able to will do the same.

[Arthur · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't feel this story works for me for several reasons.

Before going to the content, the eBook itself. This is not the author's fault, but I was not that happy to have a story starts at 7% and ends at 67% in my Kindle. It means a whopping 40% is dedicated to titles, ads, and so on, not to the story.

Now my comments.


1. The short-story format limits the length, which at the end affects many things.

2. The author's decision to make the story plot in one year, from Christmas to Christmas, is the main problem. Many authors seem to fall into this romantic trap. It may provide a nice plot device, but it also limits the believability.

The main character was a normal (middle class?) worker with iPhone, etc., in last year's Christmas. In a year, he's dying as a homeless? It's hard to believe, since in the US the unemployment benefits run for 26 weeks (6.5 months), and in some cases even more (depending on the states.) It says the character has already exhausted the benefits. I'm not saying that it is not possible that some middle class worker becoming a homeless; however, the character seems to be already very hopeless in the story, while according to the time line he would have been homeless for only about 3-4 months max. (About 6-7 months under unemployment benefits, and couple months from his own savings and helps from friends.) There are also various social services available for the homeless, especially in Chicago area. Yes, they're not perfect, but at least I'd like to read that those options have been exhausted, which less likely since it only says about unemployment benefits. Had the author made the characters has been in trouble for 2-3 years, this story would be a good one--even better if the main characters get more scenes.

3. The author's fixation to social conditions (probably meant as social critiques) hinders the romance. It may work well in a novella or novel, but giving too much background is not working in short story. I didn't feel the relationship between the two main characters. The failure to make the context believable only make things worse.

4. This is based on, IMO, one of the saddest children stories ever written, The Little Match Girl. What makes that story very resonates is it's a very simple, without any preaching, yet with a strong message of social problem. Note that the girl is dying while she's working (selling matches). She's very poor without any social service available in the early 19th century Europe. Her dying in front of someone's house fits the context. In this story, the character is dying in church's area during the Christmas Eve, where many people (regular and non-regular churchgoers) usually come to the services.


A missed opportunity, IMO.

[Emma Sea · Rating 4 out of 5]

oh, dear god *sobbing*

[Sheri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ohhh Rick!
My tummy is tight.
My eyes are wet.
My heart aches.

Wasn't expecting such a heartbreaking holiday tale.

[Barb ~rede-2-read~ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Looking for a tear-jerker? Look no further. This short story is a heartbreaking, poignant tale of a young man who has lost his job and his home and is roaming the streets of Chicago on Christmas Eve. He has no family and his lover was killed this past year so he has no where to go.

He tries the subway for a while but is ultimately kicked out by transit patrol and finally finds shelter from the snow near a church. There he cherishes his memories of his lover, and the author does what he does best-- sketches a story with words and emotions and brings all but the most hearty to tears.

Perfect story for Christmas reading.

[Tully Vincent · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautifully written little gem brimming with startlingly vivid imagery. Grabbed me by the heartstrings right from the beginning and didn't let go. This is the first holiday story I've read this season, only its not your typical lighthearted, feel-good holiday story. Instead, it's a poignant and touching reminder to be thankful for what we are blessed to have because it can be taken from us so easily. I was lucky enough to pick this up free on Amazon and am so glad I did. My first read from this author but will definitely not be my last.

[Jilrene]

another free Christmas read on Amazon US

[Brandon Witt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful, simple, classic. Flawless.

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

A bitter tale that reminds us Christmas isn't all ornaments, family, presents and warmth for everyone. Sad and poignant and a reminder to us all.

[K.Z. Snow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful! A fully realized world with a fully realized main character, and together they pack one hell of an emotional wallop. If you love the holiday season and admire the art of writing "short," you'll be cheating yourself if you don't read Matches. It's the best contemporary Christmas story I've ever read -- bar none.

[Lena Grey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very poignant story about a man who has lost everything, his family, his lover, his home and by no fault of his own. People in the city treat him very badly and all I could think of was "there but for fortune, go you and I". Does the story have a happy ending for him? It depends on who you ask.

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can't stop crying. This story was sad and depressing, and now I'm sad and depressed. It was also poignant and bittersweet. My heart hurts.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

NOT TO BE MISSED!! Rick Reed has done it again. MATCHES is his brilliant homage to Hans Christian Anderson THE LITTLE MATCH GIRL, skillfully reimagined and set against a backdrop of 21st Century Chicago. It is Christmas Eve. Our protagonist, Anderson, finds himself on an el train, homeless and searching for shelter from the bitter winter cold. As he wanders, and as he is forced to move from place to place by forces beyond his control, he is both anguished and comforted by memories of his dearly departed lover, Welk. No spoilers here, that would be unfair to other readers, but what I will say is that this fine short story is worth a lot more than the asking price. I first read MATCHES on Christmas Eve, snuggled warmly in bed beside my sleeping partner in the guest bedroom of my parent's home, and I was reminded as the story came to a close to appreciate all that I have ... because it can all be taken away so easily. I have a hunch that from now on, I'll be re-reading MATCHES every Christmas Eve.

[Shelby P · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a different kind of Christmas story. This makes me so thankful that I have a home, a job, a pension plan, and 401K. And although I do live paycheck to paycheck I take advantage of all the benefits and resources I have at the job.

This story made me want to go pick up a homeless person (preferably female - safer I would think) and let them have a good shower, hot meal, and warm bed, if at least for one night. Maybe when I win the lottery I'll donate some of the millions to the homeless. Okay enough with my ramblings LOL

The only thing I didn't get was the priest finding the skeletal body. What's up with that? He was only dead for a few hours before he was found right? So what if he was skinny. Does that mean he was skeletal? I didn't get that part

Props to the author for going against the grain and giving us a different kind of Christmas story.

[Jessa Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked this up without reading the blurb. I was in the mood for a Christmas story, I saw it was by an author I like so I grabbed it. So picture this... I'm on the stationary bike at the gym, blinking so hard as my eyes well up until one or two tears spill over. I'm not a crier and it made me self conscious, so with every sniffle I looked around, thankful that no one was paying any attention to the crazy lady crying like her heart is quietly breaking while she works out. Still, I couldn't stop reading it.
This story is sad, sweet, and poignant. The writing was wonderful and maybe a little too vivid - as proven with my tears. This is well worth reading, even if for no other reason than a reality check on how precious life is and how grateful we should be for every gift we're given.

[Miss Asima · Rating 5 out of 5]

Five stars Mr. Reed. Five stars! I can't stop crying lol but oh well. I loved it! :D

[Caroline Brand · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rick you made me cry with this one!!!

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very short read, but it packs a punch. a re-working of the little match girl, be prepared for a heart felt sob at the end.

[Shellanwannabe Mena · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read it and make it a point to be HUMAN this holiday season and throughout the year!
Thanks R3!

[Kristie · Rating 4 out of 5]

sad

This was really good, but so sad that I'm not sure I feel good for reading it. Still, it's really good. I'm all confused.

[Tinnean · Rating 4 out of 5]

But this was heartbreaking.

[CrabbyPatty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rick Reed's Matches is based on Hans Christian Andersen's story "The Little Match Girl", a Victorian-era sob fest about a child selling matches on the street on New Year's Eve, afraid to go home to a father who will beat her if she doesn't sell her matches. She sits in the freezing cold and lights matches to keep warm, and in the glow of each match, sees visions of happy Christmas celebrations and of her grandmother, the only person who ever treated her with love and kindness.

Reed's update is set in the freezing streets of Chicago, where Anderson is desperately trying to stay warm. Only a year ago, he had a good job, an apartment and a happy life with his partner Welk. But, happiness and tragedy are two sides of the same coin, separated by only the thinnest of edges. Did you know that today, nearly half of Americans are one paycheck away from the street, yet we somehow think homelessness will never happen to us, or someone we know.

To say this story is merely poignant or sad is to sell it short. I literally sobbed reading this story.

[T.M. Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anderson is an unlucky victim of life and circumstance. He lost his lover in an accident, then lost his job, and finally his home. Living his life in abandoned cars or wherever he can find at the time, he longs for the life and the love he lost. When a train operator mistakes him for a vagrant and sends him back out onto the cold streets, he happens upon a book of matches that prove to be a welcome distraction from the cold.

This little story broke my heart! For the short time I was with Anderson I truly felt his pain in the words I was reading. It made me thankful to have a job, a roof over my head, a nice warm bed to lay my head down on at night. So sad how life sometimes gives all the bad cards to the same person.

If you are a fan of bittersweet stories, then Matches is just perfect for you.

[Sadonna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story kills me. I work in the loop. I've given money to the same homeless man for years. Just makes me sad. Made me cry.

[Vespasian · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.75. There was a lot to like here, but I find myself agreeing with some of the points Mr. Bedwyr made in his review.

[CAS · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartwrenching and Heartwarming at the same time.
Beautifully written and it's poignant echo lingers long after the last heartbreaking line.
Absolutely beautiful.
Well done Mr. Reed!

[Deeze · Rating 3 out of 5]

Far too sad. Brilliantly written, but utterly heartbreaking. A kinda loved it hated it feeling.