Falling Leaves Don't Weep: A Thirteenth Hour Epilogue

by Joshua Blum

In this psychological short story, an elderly king reflects on a restless life of self-absorption, hedonism, and dissatisfaction with the present after falling leaves blow into his bedroom one night when he's unable to sleep. Although meant to stand alone, it is an epilogue to the novel, The Thirteenth Hour," written by the same author. Approximately 2,240 words.

Genres: Fantasy

ebook

First published March 18, 2015

About the author

In 1998, Joshua Blum wrote and illustrated an early draft of his first novel, "The Thirteenth Hour," inspired by his love of 1980s fantasy and science fiction movies, fairy tales, archery, and martial arts. He finally had the time to publish it sixteen years later. In the interim, he graduated from Princeton and Penn State Universities. He is grateful to his parents for instilling in him a love of learning, his brother for keeping him young, and his wife and children for their love. He is currently working on his next novel and hosts a weekly podcast (available free on iTunes @ apple.co/1S3FBWi)

Reviews

[Edward Davies · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very short epilogue that, although it is related to The 13th Hour, probably wouldn’t have worked in the confines of the novel, but works well enough as a standalone piece.

[Jeremy Blum · Rating 5 out of 5]

Serving as an epilogue to The Thirteenth Hour, this story details the fate of King Darian, the dickish ruler who made Logan run around the world in search of the elixir for eternal life. Turns out now that Darian's actually old he's no longer a dick - instead he's filled with the usual regrets, reflections and stray pieces of wisdom that accumulate over a long life, and with all of this comes humility and an acceptance of the cards he's been dealt.

I really enjoyed this one, probably because it's a purely psychological story about acknowledging reality and figuring out your place in life, AKA existential stuff that my 26-year-old brain inevitably finds ways to worry about all the time. It also works as a good bookend to The Thirteenth Hour, though I did wonder - once Darian found out that the recipe for eternal life that Logan gave him didn't work, what was his reaction? This isn't really addressed here, though I think it's because this is also meant to work as a stand-alone short story for readers not necessarily familiar with the novel preceding it. Nevertheless, highly recommended to all who enjoy navel-gazing and good imagery - the whole "falling leaves" theme is especially nice.

[C.P. Cabaniss · Rating 4 out of 5]

I originally reviewed this story on my blog CourtneysReads

This story puts you inside the thoughts of an old king who is contemplating his life. He watches the leaves outside his window and compares his own experiences and reactions to those of natural occurrences that are not forced by the hands of men. He thinks about his queen, his youth, all of the mistakes he's made.

For being such a short little story I felt like I was able to connect really well with the king. His thoughts were complex and understandable. Even though I have not lived so long as this king, I have felt myself in a similar place. I think we all contemplate our lives at different stepping stones along the way.

This story is an epilogue of sorts to the novel The Thirteenth Hour, which I am very excited to read. A fun short story.

[J.S. Burke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Falling Leaves Don’t Weep by Joshua Blum is a philosophical epilogue to The Thirteenth Hour. The old king reminisces about loss and the emptiness of his life as he strives to find purpose. This is a task that confronts us all. Blum’s prose is poetic, the story is moving, and the conclusions are satisfying. Another great read!

[E.A. · Rating 4 out of 5]

( I have received this ARC from the Author in exchange for my honest review. )

                 A look into the mind of an old king, one who has cetin regrets about, how as a youth he was not the finest or of the kindest of rulers.

This short takes place years after Mr. Blum's full length novel, The Thirteenth Hour. We are taken into a King's bedchamber, where he cannot sleep. Too much of his fool-hearted past is on his mind. Too much regret, sadness, and loneliness.

I will say no more, because I will end up ruining it.

As I started to read, Mr. Blum once again painted an extraordinary picture of fall colors and falling leaves. His skill that creates such lucid images, in so few words, carries on as he draws us deeper into the depressed world that is the kings. As the story moves forward the vividity does not stop until the last word is read.

I could clearly picture the old man as he stood by the breezy window, dissatisfied with his lot in life. I could feel the dying heat in the cold stone fireplace and the bight of cold fall wind. I could almost touch the falling leaves as they flew again and again into his room.

The book is as its title suggests, and I will give you one quote that will make you contemplate your own life.

"This falling leaf had shed no tears; its station in life was to be a leaf, destined to fall. But leaves did not spend their lives complaining about how rotten a hand they had drawn; they just went about living the best they could. Then they went about falling. There was no shame in that."

Captivated by these few word, I felt clam and thrilled that Mr. Blum chose me read this stunning short in advance. I would like to thank him for sharing his colourful words and deep feelings about our lot in life.

There is about half way, a little Easter egg that will have you smiling and going "I see what you did there".

I highly recommend this short, like A Shadow In the Moonlight you will not be disappointed.

Thank You Again

Happy Reading

-Emily