A Fine Old Firm

by Shirley Jackson

A short story. Two woman who have sons stationed together in the army meet and briefly visit.

Genres: Short Stories, Classics, Fiction

Hardcover

Published January 1, 1949

About the author

Shirley Jackson was an influential American author. A popular writer in her time, her work has received increasing attention from literary critics in recent years. She has influenced such writers as Stephen King, Nigel Kneale, and Richard Matheson.

She is best known for her dystopian short story, "The Lottery" (1948), which suggests there is a deeply unsettling underside to bucolic, smalltown America. In her critical biography of Shirley Jackson, Lenemaja Friedman notes that when Shirley Jackson's story "The Lottery" was published in the June 28, 1948, issue of The New Yorker, it received a response that "no New Yorker story had ever received." Hundreds of letters poured in that were characterized by, as Jackson put it, "bewilderment, speculation and old-fashioned abuse."

Jackson's husband, the literary critic Stanley Edgar Hyman, wrote in his preface to a posthumous anthology of her work that "she consistently refused to be interviewed, to explain or promote her work in any fashion, or to take public stands and be the pundit of the Sunday supplements. She believed that her books would speak for her clearly enough over the years." Hyman insisted the darker aspects of Jackson's works were not, as some critics claimed, the product of "personal, even neurotic, fantasies", but that Jackson intended, as "a sensitive and faithful anatomy of our times, fitting symbols for our distressing world of the concentration camp and the Bomb", to mirror humanity's Cold War-era fears. Jackson may even have taken pleasure in the subversive impact of her work, as revealed by Hyman's statement that she "was always proud that the Union of South Africa banned The Lottery', and she felt that they at least understood the story".

In 1965, Jackson died of heart failure in her sleep, at her home in North Bennington Vermont, at the age of 48.

Reviews

[Ezgili · Rating 4 out of 5]

After reading an analysis of this short story, I understood that it's about subtle anti-semitism in a town between the 'old' WASP residents and the 'newcomer' Jewish residents. It's subtle, but read again. You'll notice how her outstretched hand is not shaken. Twice. Her excitement/nervousness to meet this family, despite her apparent wealth.. The fact that she knows a lot more about their family than they seem to (want to) know about hers.

[BigComfyChairBookReviews · Rating 3 out of 5]

Aw, the subtle competition of ladies of quality. It truly is an art form to be able to best your pier without any outward appearance of having tried to do so. On the surface this is just 3 ladies politely chatting about their family members in the armed forces. But, when you delve deeper you see how small towns and their social groups are constricted by petty social hierarchies.

[Davis Morgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quite honestly shocked at how low this is rated. I thought it was brilliant and may come back around and give it five stars. I suppose I could be interpreting it wrong but it hit me about three quarters of the way through that the convert between the two women is strictly focused on the men in their lives. Some people read this as the women needing to one-up each other in terms of opulence and personal influence, but I see it as a sad story about two women who have been conditioned to believe that the world revolves around the men that they know. It’s a brilliant piece of early to mid 20th century feminist literature that critiques an issue that most would have never thought to address.

[Federico DN · Rating 2 out of 5]

Brothers in arms.

Charlie and Bob are two buddy soldiers deployed abroad. In correspondence, their families realize they live close to each other. They finally meet.

A nice dialogue. I suppose there was a point there, but it's so subtle I totally missed it.



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PERSONAL NOTE :
[1949] [4p] [Fiction] [Not Recommendable]
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???????? The Lottery and Other Stories <--

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Hermanos de armas.

Charlie y Bob son dos amigos soldados desplegados en el extranjero. En correspondencia, sus familias se dan cuenta de que viven cerca unos de otros. Finalmente se encuentran.

Un lindo diálogo. Supongo que había algún punto dentro de todo esto, pero es tan sutil que lo pasé completamente por alto.



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NOTA PERSONAL :
[1949] [4p] [Ficción] [No Recomendable]
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[Juju ♡ ～('▽^人) · Rating 3 out of 5]

shirley jackson's short stories - 14/25

i kind of like this; it seems sweet for the two mothers of both soldiers to meet, but it also feels like it's all fake because they "normally wouldn't meet around those parts", so there's some kind of distance between these two families and their...i guess, standing?

[evie · Rating 4 out of 5]

eerily sad and lonely tale of women who can only talk about the men in their lives, giving the illusion it’s the only thing in their lives and minds. there’s also the subtle antisemitic treatment of the ‘new’ resident compared to those who were born in town, one woman trying to learn more about their families and being shot down constantly by vague answers and refusals to open up more. just a great short story

[Eve · Rating 2 out of 5]

not my favourite story tbh but still interesting enough to analyse

[Berenice A. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such an effortless conversation can carry so much spite and ill will in the subtextual feeling. Shirley Jackson proves she is the mistress of deep emotions without bombastic showcase.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pay very close attention to catch the antisemitism.

[Veronica · Rating 3 out of 5]

Two proud women talking about their kids... Teeeeensioooooon.

[Mike Lisanke · Rating 2 out of 5]

No idea what this short story was about... and yes, I heard every word But what was the point?

[Uygar Ak · Rating 2 out of 5]

iki kadın çocuk ayrıştırıyorlar-yaristiriyorlar

[Darinda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short story. Subtle and entertaining.

[Sol Harris · Rating 1 out of 5]

2/10