Row 17

by Brent Jones

Fleeing his misdeeds abroad, Jason William Donnelly finds himself aboard a turbulent international flight, where he encounters his future self.

Will there ever be hoverboards, Jason asks, like we see in the movies? And when will America elect its first female president?

But his future self has no interest in these matters. He’s there, instead, to offer a grim warning. A glimpse at the price Jason will pay for the choices he has made.

“I could change,” Jason insists. “I could.”

“No, Jason. You’ll never change. You know how I know? Because I am you.”

This short story, from the author of Go Home, Afton, explores the consequences of evil, the cost of redemption, and the often futile nature of remorse.

18 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 3, 2018

About the author

From bad checks to bathroom graffiti, Brent Jones has always been drawn to writing. He won a national creative writing competition at the age of fourteen, although he can’t recall what the story was about.

Jones writes from his home in Fort Erie, Canada. He’s happily married, a bearded cyclist, a mediocre guitarist, and the proud owner of two dogs with a God complex. Subscribe to his newsletter (AuthorBrentJones.com) or follow him on social media (@AuthorBrentJ) for updates.

Reviews

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brent Jones has this incredible ability to craft an intriguing story in such a short amount of time. I read Row 17 in about a half hour, and I’m blown away. My first read of 2019, and I’m so glad I chose this one.

Row 17 plays with themes of remorse, evilness and redemption. It’s an interesting look at whether remorse and redemption await someone who has sunk so low in his evilness.

Brilliant. I really can’t praise this story enough. A quick read that will have you thinking long after you set it down.

[Brent Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fleeing his vicious misdeeds abroad, Jason William Donnelly finds himself aboard a turbulent international flight, where he encounters his future self.

[Emilija · Rating 5 out of 5]

2018 52 Book Challenge - 1) A Book By A Canadian Author

This was very short, a very quick read, but it does make you think about plane crashes, evil acts, remorse and knock on effects. I thought it was quite a good read.

[Andrea Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

An interesting look at what an evil man will do when faced with his past. How his whole life snowballed into a life of crime. How, when faced with a choice, he’d try to change the future.

There were a number of ways this story could have been interpreted. Very interesting read that made me think...

[T Olsen · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm afraid I didn't get this story at all. Bad people should come to a bad end, but why the nonsense of future self?

[Kay · Rating 4 out of 5]

A tasty and well put together wee short from Brent Jones. I found it exciting and entertaining, and it made me think for a long time after I had finished the story.

This is the first time I have read this author. I chose an ecopy of this book which I voluntarily read and honestly reviewed. All opinions are my own.