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Suitcase
Alternate cover edition for ASIN B00G70K0UW
What Would You Pack in a Suitcase for Eternity?
Data. Facts. Information. Knowledge. Wisdom.
When David describes this pyramid of wisdom to his father — one step building to another — he doesn’t reveal that the idea came to him in a dream. It’s not a scientific theory. Nothing anyone could ever prove. It’s simply a thought-provoking notion to keep their final conversation from trailing into meaningless homilies.
But is the sequence missing something?
As Harris considers the puzzle during the last few weeks of his life, he insists there is more for his son to consider. We’re not robots, he maintains. From our consciousness emerges a missing ingredient on the path to wisdom. But what is the “missing” part — and can it really help us to become wise?
“Suitcase” was first published in the Summer 1999 edition of Event Magazine. The short story stands as a complete narrative on its own, but it can be read as an epilogue to D. F. Bailey’s second novel, Healing the Dead, and the characters whose lives were warped by a tragic accident that no one foresaw or could prevent.
What Would You Pack in a Suitcase for Eternity?
Data. Facts. Information. Knowledge. Wisdom.
When David describes this pyramid of wisdom to his father — one step building to another — he doesn’t reveal that the idea came to him in a dream. It’s not a scientific theory. Nothing anyone could ever prove. It’s simply a thought-provoking notion to keep their final conversation from trailing into meaningless homilies.
But is the sequence missing something?
As Harris considers the puzzle during the last few weeks of his life, he insists there is more for his son to consider. We’re not robots, he maintains. From our consciousness emerges a missing ingredient on the path to wisdom. But what is the “missing” part — and can it really help us to become wise?
“Suitcase” was first published in the Summer 1999 edition of Event Magazine. The short story stands as a complete narrative on its own, but it can be read as an epilogue to D. F. Bailey’s second novel, Healing the Dead, and the characters whose lives were warped by a tragic accident that no one foresaw or could prevent.
21 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 15, 2013
2 people are currently reading
10 people want to read
About the author
D.F. Bailey
22 books116 followersD.F. Bailey is a W.H. Smith First Novel Award and a Whistler Independent Book Award finalist.
His first novel, Fire Eyes was optioned for film. His second novel, Healing the Dead, was translated into German as Todliche Ahnungen. The Good Lie, another psychological thriller, was recorded as a talking book. A fourth novel, Exit from America, made its debut as an e-book in 2013.
In 2015 D.F. Bailey published The Finch Trilogy — Bone Maker, Stone Eater, and Lone Hunter — novels narrated from the point-of-view of a crime reporter in San Francisco. He is now extending the trilogy in a series of stand-alone novels.
Following his birth in Montreal, D.F. Bailey's family moved around North America from rural Ontario to New York City to McComb, Mississippi to Cape May, New Jersey. He finally "landed on his feet" on Vancouver Island — where he lives next to the Salish Sea in the city of Victoria.
For twenty-two years D.F. Bailey worked at the University of Victoria where he taught creative writing and journalism and coordinated the Professional Writing Cooperative Education Program — which he co-founded. From time to time he also freelanced as a business writer and journalist. In the fall of 2010 he left the university so that he could turn "his pre-occupation with writing into a full-blown obsession."
For more information about D.F. Bailey's books and his free newsletter visit: www.dfbailey.com
His first novel, Fire Eyes was optioned for film. His second novel, Healing the Dead, was translated into German as Todliche Ahnungen. The Good Lie, another psychological thriller, was recorded as a talking book. A fourth novel, Exit from America, made its debut as an e-book in 2013.
In 2015 D.F. Bailey published The Finch Trilogy — Bone Maker, Stone Eater, and Lone Hunter — novels narrated from the point-of-view of a crime reporter in San Francisco. He is now extending the trilogy in a series of stand-alone novels.
Following his birth in Montreal, D.F. Bailey's family moved around North America from rural Ontario to New York City to McComb, Mississippi to Cape May, New Jersey. He finally "landed on his feet" on Vancouver Island — where he lives next to the Salish Sea in the city of Victoria.
For twenty-two years D.F. Bailey worked at the University of Victoria where he taught creative writing and journalism and coordinated the Professional Writing Cooperative Education Program — which he co-founded. From time to time he also freelanced as a business writer and journalist. In the fall of 2010 he left the university so that he could turn "his pre-occupation with writing into a full-blown obsession."
For more information about D.F. Bailey's books and his free newsletter visit: www.dfbailey.com
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
May 26, 2017
This short story begins with David unpacking his suitcase and ends with him taking another home. David has been asked to return to Canada to which his parents have recently moved back from the States. The mood is somber. David has never been particularly close to either of his parents. In a matter of fact way, he learns that his father is dying. They have a conversation about the wisdom of life. His mother brings out a suitcase full of mementos. Catrina and Harris seem to accept the impending death as if it were an everyday occurrence. David is uncomfortable about their prior and current relationship. This short story explores the dysfunctionality of many families who are unable to communicate their feelings toward one another.
The characters are interesting and compelling. I enjoyed the short read.
The characters are interesting and compelling. I enjoyed the short read.
December 23, 2018
Haunting, complex, and true to life
When I purchased the “box set” of First Four, I did not know in advance I was getting a short story in addition to the four listed novels. It was like winning a literary lottery.
The way that Bailey builds the emotional impact as the characters interact draws the reader deeper into the story. The Suitcase, as well as the four novels in this set, plus the four Will Finch novels, and the Will Finch prequel (Five Knives) presents fully developed characters engaged in challenges that are very complex, and each one unlike any of the others
When I purchased the “box set” of First Four, I did not know in advance I was getting a short story in addition to the four listed novels. It was like winning a literary lottery.
The way that Bailey builds the emotional impact as the characters interact draws the reader deeper into the story. The Suitcase, as well as the four novels in this set, plus the four Will Finch novels, and the Will Finch prequel (Five Knives) presents fully developed characters engaged in challenges that are very complex, and each one unlike any of the others
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews