“Judge Gladys Parks-Schultz” by Heidi Julavits
The Book of Other People
edited by Zadie Smith
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The theme of this book is about character, literally. According to the editor of this anthology, the task given to each author was to make someone up – that’s all.
The hope was that the finished book might be a lively demonstration of the fact that there are as many ways to create ‘character’ (or deny the possibility of ‘character’) as there are writers.
I think this has to be one of the most unique reasons for putting together an anthology that I’ve ever heard of; needless to say I was happy to get a hold of this book and check it out for myself.
The nice thing about anthologies is that they do not have to be read linearly. Thus I thumbed my way around until I came across a name that intrigued me. This happened to be the story by Heidi Julavits called “Judge Gladys Parks Schultz”.
However, there is a problem with writing a review of this story. The premise is the spoiler.
Oh dear. How do I write this review without giving away too much or everything? How do I write this so that even though I may give it away, you would still want to read the story?
I think I will just keep this short and sweet as to tell you the truth, the story and its premise is not really a stand-out for me.
Not that it is a huge shock when it’s discovered. And it wasn’t until I went back to re-read the beginning that I realized the first sentence gives it away. Doh!
So, if you miss it as I did, then yes, the ending is a surprise, but not so great as to produce a hearty, “Ah ha! I knew it!” or “Wow, the writer really pulled one over on me there.” Perhaps it’s because my subconscious was on top of its game from the get go, while the rest of my brain was still in the locker room trying to remember how to tie its shoelaces.
It’s a good story, but I have a feeling it’s not the best one of the bunch. It starts off strong, the narrative and tone one that I found I liked. However, I was ready for it to end when it did.
I am giving this story a rating of 3 Stars. It was enjoyable, but nothing that had me thinking I would have trouble putting it down if interrupted.
As I plan on reading one to two short stories every week, I will try to review one story from this book every Sunday (for C.B.’s Short Story Sunday) until I finish it. This actually is fitting since I won this book from him during the last Read-A-Thon hosted by the late Dewey.
