Critical Response to Allyson's story

Critical Response to Allyson Yuen’s Memory

By: Matt Carroll

           

The first part I really like about this story is the ambiguity because it fits so well with the theme of the story. The memories are jumbled because it’s a story being told by a person with a memory problem. That is conveyed by Allyson in this story very well.

            One problem I see with the story is the sequence of memories that lead up to a great ending. I think if the memories, of the sequence of events, was worked on a little more they could lead to the great ending.

            I think Allyson did a great job of pointing out things kids really do worry about at that age, like the multiplication tables and the Storm Trooper action figures. The writing reflects that of a young child with a memory problem.

            I think the ending was the best part of the story. I like the ending about the mother hiding an affair and explaining to the child that it’s only their memory problem. I like this because it makes me wonder if this child even has a memory problem, or if it was something invented by the child and the mother after being caught in the affair. Did the mother make the child believe they were sick to cover up her affair? I like this tricky ending and if this story was expanded and more detail was put into the timeline of events it could turn out to be something really interesting for a longer piece.