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(catchesthelight/flickr)
A fish is more than a family pet, and another woman enriches a marriage in a contemporary story and a tale by an American master.
”Really, she hadn’t neglected the poor fish. ‘Neglect’ seems a word too heavy with submerged intent. Something was bound to slip to the side amidst the chaos of the domestic arena.”
--David Means, “The Secret Goldfish” A fish is more than a family pet, and another woman enriches a marriage in a contemporary story and a tale by an American master.
David Means’ “The Secret Goldfish” was featured in a program celebrating the "Best American Short Stories" — the annual volume published by Houghton Mifflin and guest edited in 2005 by Michael Chabon. In this intricately crafted tale, first published in The New Yorker, the life of the family goldfish seems to parallel that of the family itself, and his tank, a reflection of their past, present, and future. “The Secret Goldfish” is the title story of Means’ latest collection; his previous book, "Assorted Fire Events" was critically acclaimed for its emotional fervor and meticulous prose. Reader Charles Keating played Rex in the celebrated adaptation of "Brideshead Revisited," and had two seasons with the Royal Shakespeare Company. Other theatre credits include"What the Butler Saw," "A Man for All Seasons" and "Pygmalion." He brings Fish and his troubled family vividly to life. From one of our programs presented at The Mount, Edith Wharton’s home in the Berkshire Hills of Massachusetts, comes Sherwood Anderson’s confessional “The Other Woman,” a tale of true love and temptation. Anderson is best known as the author of "Winesburg, Ohio," but also published a handful of novels including the aptly named "Many Marriages" (he was, four times) and "Dark Laughter." Reader Keir Dullea, star of "2001: A Space Odyssey," "2010: The Year We Make Contact" and "David and Lisa" and many regional theatre productions, tours regularly with SELECTED SHORTS. "The Secret Goldfish" by David Means, read by Charles Keating
The Other Woman by Sherwood Anderson, read by Keir Dullea For additional works featured on SELECTED SHORTS, please visit Symphony Space
--David Means, “The Secret Goldfish” A fish is more than a family pet, and another woman enriches a marriage in a contemporary story and a tale by an American master.
David Means’ “The Secret Goldfish” was featured in a program celebrating the "Best American Short Stories" — the annual volume published by Houghton Mifflin and guest edited in 2005 by Michael Chabon. In this intricately crafted tale, first published in The New Yorker, the life of the family goldfish seems to parallel that of the family itself, and his tank, a reflection of their past, present, and future. “The Secret Goldfish” is the title story of Means’ latest collection; his previous book, "Assorted Fire Events" was critically acclaimed for its emotional fervor and meticulous prose. Reader Charles Keating played Rex in the celebrated adaptation of "Brideshead Revisited," and had two seasons with the Royal Shakespeare Company. Other theatre credits include"What the Butler Saw," "A Man for All Seasons" and "Pygmalion." He brings Fish and his troubled family vividly to life. From one of our programs presented at The Mount, Edith Wharton’s home in the Berkshire Hills of Massachusetts, comes Sherwood Anderson’s confessional “The Other Woman,” a tale of true love and temptation. Anderson is best known as the author of "Winesburg, Ohio," but also published a handful of novels including the aptly named "Many Marriages" (he was, four times) and "Dark Laughter." Reader Keir Dullea, star of "2001: A Space Odyssey," "2010: The Year We Make Contact" and "David and Lisa" and many regional theatre productions, tours regularly with SELECTED SHORTS. "The Secret Goldfish" by David Means, read by Charles Keating
The Other Woman by Sherwood Anderson, read by Keir Dullea For additional works featured on SELECTED SHORTS, please visit Symphony Space
About Selected Shorts
Selected Shorts features some of the finest artists of the American theater reading contemporary and classic short fiction-the most distinguished works of the early masters such as Chekhov, Maupassant, Malamud and dozens of others.
To listen to this program, and other recent programs, subscribe to the Selected Shorts podcast
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Comments [3]
Can you send me the full name and composer of the musical theme used at the beginning and end of Selected Shorts - I believe it is called "Come to the Meadow", but I don't know the composer of the music.
thanks,
Tom Cowing
Dear Mr. Cowing:
Our lovely theme music was composed by the jazz artist Roger Kellaway. It appears to be in stock with Amazon.com
Me too! I would like to hear (and have) the whole story, The Other Woman.
Dear R. Hill:
This program will be available for two more weeks as a podcast via audible.com or iTunes, but not, regrettably, in any other format at present.
How do I listen tot he Sherwood Anderson story The Other Woman? I missed the second half.
Dear Lonnie Carter:
This program will be available for two more weeks as a podcast via audible.com or iTunes.
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