New Fiction, Chapter 3: Splinters and The Pressure Cooker
Serial installments of the novel ‘A Girl, A Dog, a Boat’ continue
By Audie Cockings
Mom had planned on staying another few days, but after the physicality of my loss was over I kindly asked her to go. I was so confused. I didn’t know why I was mourning someone I never knew. I couldn’t talk about it. As much as I loved Mom’s company, I felt a big cry coming on and wanted to be alone.
The weeks following only further solidified my sorrow. Everywhere I went there were pregnant women and new babies. It was as if the cervically-gifted were breeding with each other. Multiplying
themselves just to mock me. My only solace was food and I was beginning to resemble a tub of salted caramel.
Editor’s note: Click here for chapter 1 and here for chapter 2 in this weekly fiction serial.
The Harsh Truths of ‘Essex County’
Deconstructing Canadian Culture, Part 3: Graphic Novel Nihilism
By Josh Lieblein
Down the aimless streets of Toronto in Scott Pilgrim vs. The World and through the idyllic back country of Letterkenny, lies the way to understanding the way Canadians see themselves, or at least would like to be seen. Both these works are about keeping up a carefully crafted image: the studied apathy and hipsterdom of the big city, and the carefully cultivated simplicity of the country.
But beneath these polished exteriors (that do their best to not appear polished) lies the haunted world of Jeff Lemire’s Essex County. This is the Canada that we don’t talk about, rendered in stark black and white inks.
Check out the New Kirkus Review of Jonah: A Novel of Men and the Sea
Don’t miss Howard Butcher’s thrilling debut novel!
By Liberty Island Links & Excerpts
“Butcher’s measured prose deftly captures the grit and violence of Jonah’s world, both on deck and beneath the waves… the world of offshore oil rigs is indeed a rugged one, and Butcher’s handling of it here will attract readers who might not have had any interest in the milieu before.”
10 Individualist David Bowie Songs
Check out the epilogue of Robert Dean Lurie’s David Bowie book!
By Robert Dean Lurie
Today in 1977 David Bowie’s album “Heroes” was released. Celebrate by picking up We Can Be Heroes: The Radical Individualism of David Bowie by Robert Dean Lurie.
PreTeena: October 8 – October 14, 2018
Sunday Comics!
By Allison Barrows
You won’t want to miss these hilarious cartoons depicting the ups and downs of adolescence. Now each week’s strips will debut on Sundays as the lead strip of Liberty Island’s Sunday Comics feature. If you draw a comic and would like to have your work featured on Sundays, please contact us: [email protected] Check out Allison Barrows’ new PreTeena blog here.
A Siberian Husky at Peace in the Backyard
By David M. Swindle
*Submit your photographs of nature and the outdoor life to [email protected] to participate in this weekly feature exploring the natural world.*
Which Is Better? “Buffy: The Vampire Slayer” Vs “Charmed”
By Tamara Wilhite
I’m aware of the “Charmed” reboot due out October 14. They had the option of jumping forward in time to have the three sisters raising two teen boys paralleling the precedent set by “Fuller House” and decided, nope, reboot with “more diverse” demographics instead. That’s Hollywood’s definition of new and improved today.
The Greatest Conservative Films: Blazing Saddles (1974)
By Eric M. Blake
Editor’s Note: In April of 2017 writer Eric M. Blake began a series at Western Free Press naming the “Greatest Conservative Films.” The introduction explaining the rules and indexing all films included in the series can be found here. Liberty Island will feature cross-posts of select essays from the series with the aim of encouraging discussion at this cross-roads of cinematic art with political ideology. (Click here to see the original essay. Check out the previously cross-posted entries on Jackie Brown, Captain America: The First Avenger, Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Captain America: Civil War, Unforgiven, Hail, Caesar!, Apocalypse Now, Fight Club, Man of Steel, Batman v. Superman: Dawn Of Justice ULTIMATE EDITION, Wonder Woman, Kill Bill, Gran Torino, The Dark Knight, and The Dark Knight Rises.) If you would like join this dialogue please contact us at submissions [@] libertyislandmag.com.
Miranda’s War: ‘He wanted her marginalized with Julia as a buffer.’
The opening of Chapter 17…
By Howard Foster
Pick up your copy of Miranda’s War: A Novel of the Up-Zone by Howard Foster, one of Liberty Island’s most sophisticated, literary titles.
New Fiction, Chapter 2: Johnny Hustle
Serial installments of the novel ‘A Girl, A Dog, a Boat’ continue
By Audie Cockings
Mom wanted to stay. She knew exactly what I was feeling: unspeakable loss. She’d had much of that in her life. Much more than mine. She lost both her parents very young, in a car accident. And of course, she lost her best friend, my dear father.
Dad was the most hard-working man of his time and entirely self-made. He ran off and joined the army at seventeen so he could have enough money to marry his high school sweetheart. After being a radio guy for three years and getting some experience in supply-chain management, Johnny left the Army to be a tin-knocker like his old man. He turned their petite carport into a sheet metal fabrication shop that slowly but steadily became a very profitable business venture. After retiring, Dad consulted for his old competitors who knew him by the nickname of “Johnny Hustle.” Nobody worked harder than dad. He could make or fix anything with a pencil, a ruler, a heavy pair of snips, and a Phillips head.
Editor’s note: Click here for chapter 1 in this weekly fiction serial
