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I met you in the rain on the last day of 1972

boston.craigslist.org

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Re: I met you in the rain on the last day of 1972

#71

Post by tokenrove »

Cidan wrote: post #4

I think a lot of people miss the point of this posting -- it doesn't matter if it's real or if it's fake, but rather it's an evolution of artistic expression. Someone is using Craigslist as an entirely new medium for writing a bit of poetry or short story. The potential for this type of work to reach people is huge, and that to me is the most exciting part of it all.

But it isn't novel, either; using Craigslist for this is a well-known writing exercise. See for example http://www.thelmagazine.com/2010/10/ships-that-pass-craigsli...

Re: I met you in the rain on the last day of 1972

#75

Post by jdeibele »

mjs wrote: post #45

I once read a story (I think in the Washington Post) about two people meeting up in similar circumstances sometime in the 60s or 70s, and then, when parting, promising to meet again at a specific location and time far into future. And so after decades, one party went to the arranged meeting point with great anticipation having told their family about the story, etc. But the other party didn't turn up. Eventually the…

Every time my alumni magazine comes it has a page devoted to identifying passages that people remember but can't find.

http://www.loc.gov/rr/program/bib/lost/novels.html has tips on how to find books. Maybe some of the same places would have suggestions on how to find the article?

Re: I met you in the rain on the last day of 1972

#76

Post by kelvin0 »

Camillo wrote: post #28

I'm not sure what people find "beautiful" or "touching" in this story. A man is wracked by guilt over what he has done to the point of deciding to end his life, but then he forgets all about it as soon as a pretty girl gives him attention. Inasmuch as it is believable, this is a story about how all our lofty notions of justice, honor, purpose etc. are just bullshit, and it's really all about fucking, consuming and ke…

Wow, Vulcan awaits you Sir! You are way more cynical than I am ... either that or really as depressed as the guy in the story? Maybe you are angry at the reflection this story forced on you? I wish you well in any case.

Re: I met you in the rain on the last day of 1972

#77

Post by drdeadringer »

rileytg wrote: post #73
blacksqr wrote: post #72

How hard could it be to check Boston society page engagement and wedding announcements for 1972 and 1973?

it wouldn't be that hard. if this was real, we'd have a good national treasure meets the notebook film to make.

To be fair, the person did mention being old and unfamiliar with Facebook. The thought to check "the high-society pages" might be a similar "didn't think of that" despite the "Boston nobility" drop.

Re: I met you in the rain on the last day of 1972

#78

Post by ctvo »

Camillo wrote: post #28

I'm not sure what people find "beautiful" or "touching" in this story. A man is wracked by guilt over what he has done to the point of deciding to end his life, but then he forgets all about it as soon as a pretty girl gives him attention. Inasmuch as it is believable, this is a story about how all our lofty notions of justice, honor, purpose etc. are just bullshit, and it's really all about fucking, consuming and ke…

There's so many ways to look at life. Being an extreme cynic didn't work for me. It didn't improve my happiness, productivity or helped anyone around me.

I read the story as random kindness and forming a connection with another human saved a life. The moral for me is a smile, a kind word, a 30 minute conversation can impact people in significant ways.

Re: I met you in the rain on the last day of 1972

#79

Post by [deleted] »

bambax wrote: post #50
exodust wrote: post #36

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's creative writing, which some people like no matter how authentic. The writer has some skills. The flow and efficiency would earn marks as a school assignment! "scaled the hill with its golden dome, and meandered into that charming labyrinth divided by Hanover Street" It might seem simple, but in those few words a lot of information is communicated. "Ironically, the torture of your abandonment seemed to swallow m…

> would earn marks as a school assignment Oh, come on. I can't tell if you're being ironic or clumsy, but if it's the later I strongly disagree. This is fantastic writing, much better than what we read everywhere everyday; in school it would warrant to take the teacher's place.

[deleted]

Re: I met you in the rain on the last day of 1972

#80

Post by sosborn »

pvg wrote: post #57
Cidan wrote: post #4

I think a lot of people miss the point of this posting -- it doesn't matter if it's real or if it's fake, but rather it's an evolution of artistic expression. Someone is using Craigslist as an entirely new medium for writing a bit of poetry or short story. The potential for this type of work to reach people is huge, and that to me is the most exciting part of it all.

Of course it matters. If it's real, it's a strange, perhaps touching story. If it's made-up, it's a trite and rather artless attempt to yank at your heartstrings. Being coy about whether something is a true account, fictionalized or outright fiction is a cheap way to avoid criticism of both one's reportage and art. Jack Shafer wrote about this sort of thing regarding a David Sedaris flap a few years ago: http://www.s…

> If it's made-up, it's a trite and rather artless attempt to yank at your heartstrings.

Should we consider all fiction works in this way?

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