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How Many Summers We Have Left
Estill Salyer isn't a good person and he doesn't pretend to be. The collection follows him as he crosses the American Mid-West and South looking for victims. He is not a killer. He just likes to use people. Without redeeming qualities, he struggles to come to terms with the fate he has created for himself, as he and the rest of society attempt accept a new disease. This intentionally disjointed and experimental collection of stories abandons typical narration in favor of a disturbing story told by a vicious and amoral narrator. As the story breaks down, so does the narration; for example, the second story, "[Dry County]," develops most of its story in the language of Carnival workers. Little to no consideration is given to the reader; rather the reader is commanded to either submit to the story or abandon it - similar to the choice Estill Salyer gives his unknowing victim. The experimental nature of this collection is not only found in the story but in the use of numbers and metaphors. Though not dystopian or science fiction, there is a bleakness in the book that lends itself to both of those genres. Read with a sense of escape to darkness. The intent of this book does not seem to be to entertain, but to explore and develop the mind of a dismal and doomed character. It is not for everyone. The author welcomes your thoughts and feedback. The story [Dry County] appeared in the on-line literary magazine Fried Chicken and Coffee in February of 2016.
114 pages, Paperback
Published June 1, 2016
2 people are currently reading
153 people want to read
About the author
Ernest Gordon Taulbee
5 books28 followersErnest Gordon Taulbee grew up in a small town in Eastern Kentucky called Salyersville. He received both a Bachelor's and a Master's degree from Eastern Kentucky University. Upon completing his MA he moved to Louisville -- where he has lived most of his adult life.
Love of reading and writing has been a theme in his life. Through the decade and a half since he finished his MA, Mr. Taulbee has worked a variety of jobs, from populating a cubicle in a large corporation to making and selling mead. Throughout his whole life, writing has remained his singular professional and artistic passion.
He enjoys writing that is both entertaining as well as writing that borders on high art.
The thesis for his MA was the first 100 pages of a novel. He would complete that novel in the months after finishing his graduate degree. After additional months spent proofreading and editing, he submitted the manuscript to small publishing houses and select agents who considered literary fiction. The stacks of rejections letters became less painful, when he received an email from a small, art house, stating they would like to publish this novel. That joy was squashed about a month or so later, when the publishing company informed him an unexpected financial situation would cause the publishing house to close.
He would continue to write short stories and outline for longer works over the next few years, until he was struck with the idea for what would become his novel, A Sibling in Always, while waiting for the bus.
Once the manuscript was complete, he continued to write prose and to submit the novel for consideration by small houses and publications.
After a year and a half, he decided to join the do-it-yourself culture that had influenced much of the books, music, and art he had come to admire.
He hope you will read his currently published works. If you like it, he hope you will leave a review. If you don't, he hopes you will be constructive in your criticism and state what you think could make the work better.
He believes that art, including fiction, is a vital part of society, so -- if you are not going to produce it -- appreciate it and try to improve it.
He currently (as was stated previously) lives in Louisville, Kentucky with his wife, Tina, and their two daughters.
Keep reading.
Love of reading and writing has been a theme in his life. Through the decade and a half since he finished his MA, Mr. Taulbee has worked a variety of jobs, from populating a cubicle in a large corporation to making and selling mead. Throughout his whole life, writing has remained his singular professional and artistic passion.
He enjoys writing that is both entertaining as well as writing that borders on high art.
The thesis for his MA was the first 100 pages of a novel. He would complete that novel in the months after finishing his graduate degree. After additional months spent proofreading and editing, he submitted the manuscript to small publishing houses and select agents who considered literary fiction. The stacks of rejections letters became less painful, when he received an email from a small, art house, stating they would like to publish this novel. That joy was squashed about a month or so later, when the publishing company informed him an unexpected financial situation would cause the publishing house to close.
He would continue to write short stories and outline for longer works over the next few years, until he was struck with the idea for what would become his novel, A Sibling in Always, while waiting for the bus.
Once the manuscript was complete, he continued to write prose and to submit the novel for consideration by small houses and publications.
After a year and a half, he decided to join the do-it-yourself culture that had influenced much of the books, music, and art he had come to admire.
He hope you will read his currently published works. If you like it, he hope you will leave a review. If you don't, he hopes you will be constructive in your criticism and state what you think could make the work better.
He believes that art, including fiction, is a vital part of society, so -- if you are not going to produce it -- appreciate it and try to improve it.
He currently (as was stated previously) lives in Louisville, Kentucky with his wife, Tina, and their two daughters.
Keep reading.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
June 1, 2017
"This is something I will tell, because it is something no one should see." This is Estill's story. It is not pleasant or comforting, it is not for sensitive readers, and it is not written in a conventional style. Through caves and caverns, motel rooms and darknet configurations, Estill's journey leads us through a corrupt and dying world. This is a sucker punch of a narrative that is creatively formulated and devastatingly revealing. It may be the end of the world as we know it.
4.5 dark stars
4.5 dark stars
July 30, 2021
Warning: The ending to this is BLEAK and totally heartbreaking. Definitely not for those with weak constitutions who cry 'misogyny' at the drop of a tampon. Estill is a trucker that doesn't transport many actual loads. No, he deals almost exclusively with the black market along with manipulation of taxes and bureaucracy to haul 'precious cargo.' Only this time, he actually starts to fall in love with the cargo.
October 18, 2016
It's much more violent than most of what I read. Still worth reading. I would not consider it to be a novella. It's more of a short fiction collection. It is very, very violent.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews