Shatterboy

by Scott William Carter

A short, powerful tale about a woman who finds a glass boy in a recycling transfer station and how the few days with him change both their lives. Originally appeared in Cicada Magazine, November 2005.

Genres: Short Stories, Fantasy, Ebooks, Fiction, Science Fiction

Nook

First published July 8, 2009

About the author

Scott William Carter’s first novel, The Last Great Getaway of the Water Balloon Boys, was hailed by Publishers Weekly as a “touching and impressive debut” and won an Oregon Book Award. Since then, he has published many books and short stories, his fiction spanning a wide variety of genres and styles. His book for younger readers, Wooden Bones, chronicles the untold story of Pinocchio and was singled out for praise by the Junior Library Guild. He is the author of the popular Garrison Gage mystery series set on the Oregon coast, as well as the provocative Myron Vale Investigations, about the private investigator in Portland, Oregon who works for both the living and the dead. He’s also the cartoonist behind the Run of the House comic strip.

If that wasn’t enough to keep him busy, in his “day job” life he works as an Instructional Designer and Digital Production & Publishing Specialist at Western Oregon University, where he manages the Digital Media Center and provides training and expertise to the campus community on a variety of topics, including Web page creation, digital video production, print-on-demand and ebook publishing, and many software applications related to publishing, distribution, and education in all its forms. He also teaches occasional classes for both the English department and the College of Education.

In past lives, he has been an academic technologist, a writing instructor, bookstore owner, the manager of a computer training company, and a ski instructor, though the most important job — and best – he’s ever had is being the father of his two children. He currently lives in Oregon with his wife and two children.

Reviews

[Todd Russell · Rating 3 out of 5]

On the same day a woman's husband files for divorce she finds a glass boy in a dumpster. And so begins this intriguing little story. The boy grows up fast and wants to go to school and mingle with others. My mind was clicking and whirring with the untold Shatterboy adventures. The ending I didn't care for but enjoyed the rest of the story.

[Angela · Rating 3 out of 5]

Free short story courtesy of www.amazon.co.uk (again)

This was good and very well written. Quite a meloncholic atmosphere but I'm not quite sure what the author was trying to make a point of. I enjoyed his writing style though so will be on the lookout for more of his work.

[Ashley · Rating 2 out of 5]

This story is very short and really isn't developed much. I think it has a potentially interesting backbone, but it is so sort and it lacks any real depth or meat. I would love for Carter to use the short story to write an actual book.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a shrot story,followed by an excerpt from Drawing a Dark Way: A Fantasy Adventure.
Although the story Shatterboy was a little sad, I enjoyed the author's writing style. The excerpt is a nice three chapters, enough to get you interested in the story. I will definitely be buying the book which I would call a Young Adult Fantasy. It is priced at $2.99 on Amazon I believe. It is about a young boy who travels to a hidden world to rescue his sister. I especially like that it is set in Oregon as I live in the Northwest, and visit the Portland Area often.

[Icy_Space_Cobwebs Join the Penguin Resistance! · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is what I consider “literary horror,” or “psychological horror,” where the blood and gore aren’t important, and sometimes there isn’t even spirits nor hauntings. That said, let me add that the ending of this story carries a powerful impact (so does a rocket launcher) and even when you think, “oh, that wasn’t so bad,” you’ll find that yes, it got you after all, and you can’t seem to forget the outcome.

Poor Mrs. Rebecca-after thirty-six years, her husband dumps her-that’s a downer; then she finds a new “companion”-that’s an upper; but then-life goes on, just as it always does-and like everywhere, children grow up and grow away and…

Now go find out for yourself-but hold on to your heart….

[Haight Ashbury · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed everything about this story. It could have been a bit longer, with more emphasis on each age, but I enjoyed it just the same after realizing it was referring to how fast children grow up. It was a different way of looking at parenting and seeing how parents view their children (and how little children may respect their parents). This story was definately original and says so much in so little words. If you're looking for a light read you may not enjoy the story as much but for something to "read further into" and analyze, this is perfect!

[Krystl Louwagie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Shatterboy was a short, short story, with a long preview to another one of the author's novels. I think it's kind of silly that the preview was longer than the story here, but...

Shatterboy was a short story about a glass boy. Pretty predictable, nothing special. The preview into Carter's novel was fairy interesting, but, not enough to make me buy it. It was better than the short story, though-and if I find it for free, yeah, I'll read it. :p

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

The language in this very short story was gorgeous.

[Tasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good, but very short.

[Carmen K · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a very short story. It isn't bad, but it isn't a very satisfying read. Maybe I was just expecting something a bit more unpredictable.

[Tammy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Man, I dig this author's shorts. Free on Smashword.

[Caitlin (Ayashi) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good short story; just wish it hadn't been so short ;)

[Louisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

very very short and very very cute.

[Taylor · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting little short story!