The Mayfly: Stories

by Ben Rogers

"Rogers's pacing is impeccable and his cinematographer's sense of where to zoom in and where to fade out is little short of miraculous. [He] writes with the skill and precision of a brain surgeon wielding a scalpel. That is all you need to know; go read his short story collection, The Mayfly, and find out for yourself. 10 out of 10." - The BookLife Prize
The life of a mayfly can be harrowing or hilarious, but it is always short. So, too, the short story.
Fans of the genre will love the inventive specimens on display in this rollicking debut collection. A group of aging engineering professors take the weekend off for some fun and felony. A pro cyclist learns the cost of greatness in a Pushcart-nominated ride. A member of the Manhattan Project sees the world's first nuclear reaction through resentful eyes. A Hollywood editor discovers what belongs on his cutting room floor. And in 1869, an aspiring writer pens a series of letters during his doomed homecoming to Virginia City, Nevada.

Genres: Short Stories

268 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 15, 2021

About the author

Rogers’ debut novel The Flamer was called “one of the wisest, funniest, strangest novels I’ve ever read” by Christopher Coake, and “diabolically funny” by Claire Vaye Watkins. He is also the author of The Daughters, The Heavy Side, and The Mayfly. His work has been published in The Rumpus, PANK, McSweeney’s Internet Tendency, The Portland Review, Arroyo Literary Review, and Wag’s Revue, and has earned the Nevada Arts Council Fellowship. He is also the lead author of Nanotechnology: Understanding Small Systems, the first-ever comprehensive textbook on nanotechnology, and Nanotechnology: The Whole Story, both of which earned the CHOICE Outstanding Academic Title Award from the American Library Association. He studied engineering and journalism in college and has worked as a business analyst, a newspaper reporter, a teacher, and a scientist at various labs, including Oak Ridge National Laboratory and NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. He is currently the Director of Engineering at NevadaNano. For more information, visit www.readrogers.com.

Reviews

[Zoe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Of all the literature things I love, I might most love the short story. Ben Rogers tells several with such wit and wisdom in this collection. These stories made me laugh, and they also made me think. A few of them made me sad. They are a lovely collection. You should read this.

[Denice Langley · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book of short stories that highlight the excellent writing skills of Ben Rogers. The stories are diverse in subject and characters but linked in the ability to pull readers into each story so quickly that moving from one story to the next is seamless. While I loved some more than others, every story wins a blue ribbon into the reader's favorite contest.

[Betty · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Mayfly is a book of short stories. Some of the stories such as the title one were a bit too long. I was relieved at the ending of that one; for a creature with such a short life, he had a long story.

This book will appeal to readers who enjoy quirky ideas.

[Travis Bow · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quirky set of a literary short stories. I found them all interesting - several had the emotional depth and deep characterization I'm a sucker for (The Young Man and the Mountain, The Unbridled Underestimation of Racehorses, Man of Letters) a few were lighter and more experimental, kind of interesting but not particularly moving to me personally (On the Rejuvenating Effects of Arch Theft, Mayfly), and a few (The Caretaker, Hillbilly, Nuclear Winter) were in the middle for me (less depth than the first list but more entertaining than the second list). All stories were heavy on word-play and innuendo and most were surprising in some way.

[Maggie Rotter · Rating 5 out of 5]

What kind of stories would you expect from "the lead author of Nanotechnology: Understanding Small Systems , the first-ever comprehensive college textbook on nanotechnology,"? Exactly. And very well done. The obverse of the wonderful sprawling multi generational novel we all love. These stories(?) are a crazy quilt and if one doesn't appeal to you, several more will. The title story includes this, "What would Jesus do with wings, two penises and a few hours to live?" How can you resist that?

[Bonnye Reed · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free electronic copy of this collection of short stories from Netgalley, Ben Rogers, and CQ books. Thank you all for sharing your hard work with me. I have read this work of my own volition, and this review reflects my honest opinion of the tales. I am tickled to recommend it to friends and family.

Each story is individual and different. Some made me a little uncomfortable, but all entertained. The first tale is the most complex and overwhelming - and I enjoyed it more as I re-read it after I finished the rest of the stories.

Netgalley
Pub date Oct 15, 2021
Reviewed on October 18, 2021, at Goodreads, Netgalley, and AmazonSmile. Not available for review at B&N BookBub, Kobo, or GooglePlay.
REviewed on October 18, 2021, at Goodreads, Netgalley, AmazonSmile, Barnes&Noble,

[Jennifer Holloway Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the gamut of stories in this book for the most part. It took me a while to get into the last story in the book, however I was glad that I kept reading because it really did pay off. I loved that each story elicited some form of emotion, whether good or bad. The sheer mastery of language alone was enviable and lended strength to this book. I definitely will be watching this author and felt that he represents such a unique take on the world and how he approaches a story. Thanks for the ARC, NetGalley.

[Robert Sullivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fine and eclectic collection of short stories. Each story is different in perspective, setting, and plot; the author apparently ignored the advice to write only about what you know, with entertaining results. The subject matter (from the Manhattan Project to bicyclists to the life of a mayfly) is also unusual for modern American fiction: no anguished writers or angsty graduate students or alienated big-city dwellers.

The book is well worth reading and Rogers is an author to watch.

[Vicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful and unique collection of 8 short stories. Each one was so interesting to read! They are so different and provoke different emotions as well. Some of the stories are amusing and funny, some are sad. And some are both. They all kept me entertained. I would love to check out more of Ben Roger's writings.

[Rahel Charikar · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The Mayfly" by Ben Rogers is a delightful and inventive collection of short stories that offers readers a glimpse into the varied and often unpredictable lives of its characters. Each tale is a unique specimen, showcasing Rogers' ability to capture the essence of the short story format.

The collection opens with the analogy of a mayfly's short-lived existence, setting the tone for the brevity and intensity found within the stories. Rogers explores a diverse range of narratives, from aging engineering professors seeking adventure to a pro cyclist grappling with the price of greatness. The author's storytelling prowess shines as he navigates through different genres and themes, keeping readers engaged with each turn of the page.

One standout feature of "The Mayfly" is the author's ability to inject humor and wit into even the most harrowing situations. The stories are not only well-crafted but also possess a delightful sense of playfulness. The characters, though facing diverse challenges, share a common thread of human vulnerability and resilience.

The narrative takes unexpected turns, offering readers a rollercoaster of emotions. From the resentful eyes of a Manhattan Project member witnessing the world's first nuclear reaction to a Hollywood editor deciding what belongs on the cutting room floor, each story is a testament to Rogers' versatility as a storyteller.

One of the gems in the collection is the tale set in 1869, where an aspiring writer pens a series of letters during his doomed homecoming to Virginia City, Nevada. The historical backdrop adds depth to the storytelling, and Rogers skillfully captures the essence of the time period.

While the stories are diverse, they are united by a common thread of creativity and imagination. The author's ability to create vivid and memorable characters in the limited space of a short story is commendable. The brevity of each narrative adds to the impact, leaving a lasting impression on the reader.

"The Mayfly" is a rollicking debut collection that caters to fans of the short story genre. Ben Rogers has crafted a literary journey filled with humor, heart, and unexpected twists. Readers will find themselves entertained, moved, and fascinated by the inventive worlds brought to life within the pages of this collection. Overall, a four-star read that leaves a lasting imprint in the realm of short fiction.

[claire martin · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really struggled to get into this, even dipping in and out between stories. I felt most of the stories didn't really get started and were over before they begun.

I did enjoy the last story, although the letter writing format of telling the story became a bit monotonous.

I received a free copy of this book for an honest review.

[SD · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting collection of short stories spanning a vast range of topics. The first few stories are shorter and lighter, dealing with stories about a group of professors and a story about a boy's experience at a tennis camp. My two favorites were: The Nuclear winter (from the pov of one of the scientists who worked on Fermi's team to build the Chicago Pile 1 reactor), the much longer Man of many letters. Man of many letters is written in form of letters and the author builds up a wonderfully intricate story with a titular character that makes you feel for him and the relationships with his family and friends. Overall, a great short read! Definitely have patience and truly sit and relish the last story!

[Vidar · Rating 5 out of 5]

crisp writing

These stories are crisply written and well edited, not a typo or unintentional grammatical error to be found and they each have something deeper to convey. Lovely food for the brain.