My students just finished reading The Absolutely True Diary, and we wanted to know what happened to Rowdy. I found this story, and it is the perfect follow-up for them to read. Thank you for writing it.
I've kept coming back to this. It resonates. I'm glad Randy loved the book and is immortalised in it. Generations of kids & adults are going to enjoy him.
This is a masterpiece - to begin with watching a movie that is a suspense story, notice a scar, create a mystery, what caused the scar, the suspense of being chased - will they be safe? Then, like the movie, the surprise finish - the story is really about a friendship, a rich friendship that ended too soon. After I'd read it I listened and you brought tears to my eyes. So many layers. Pure poetry.
Thanks Sherman. You made Randy still alive (also made some "running away" memories from my South Side Chicago childhood resurface as well)––what your magical writing does so well.
So sorry, Sherman. An old friend of that duration and intensity departing leaves a
special sorrow.
Am I right to think Randy was the basis for Rowdy? He was my second favourite character in 'The Absolutely True Diary...'
feisty and angry, protective and loving.
A smartarse too, as we say here. It's a compliment. He had many good lines.
I really hope that the work with the salmon comes to fruition. We had them released into rivers in Aotearoa and there's still a few around. Our tuna. ( longfin eels) leave their streams and rivers at 60-80 years old & go to breed west of Tonga. They were a big traditional food source. Still commercially harvested even though they are endangered and a taonga ( treasure).
Excellent recall from your sisters for their memories. The close details of your life that siblings share. Great essay.
There's an interesting parallel. The tuna's eventual progress to the sea was blocked by dams often. The workers who built the dams got very upset by what had happened, so they installed ladders & nets, caught the big breeding eels, put them on the back of utes & down to the sea . Tuna change so they can live in salt water & in the day they swim 1 Km deep, rising at night. They don't feed. Such mysterious travel.
Their elvers return to the same rivers...they are still around & we go and feed them & celebrate their existence against the odds.
I will say a karakia for Randy when I'm next at the river.
My students just finished reading The Absolutely True Diary, and we wanted to know what happened to Rowdy. I found this story, and it is the perfect follow-up for them to read. Thank you for writing it.
wonderful. As a boy born in late 50's with four older brothers, I remember all that random and casual violence and the scars.
I love this. So. Effin’. Much.
Thank you, Cami.
I've kept coming back to this. It resonates. I'm glad Randy loved the book and is immortalised in it. Generations of kids & adults are going to enjoy him.
Thank you!
"Look! he's in your memory now." ONE OF THE BEST LINES EVER
Thank you, Portia.
I don't know of any author who can write so beautifully about loss and memory. Thank you for this story.
So beautiful. Thank you.
Thank you.
I'm curious to know what Randy thought of the book, if you are able to say?
The dynamic between the two boys rang so true, even if it was truth & invention entwined.
Randy loved the book. He signed approval! Also, the DJ in our movie, Smoke Signals, is named after Randy.
This is a masterpiece - to begin with watching a movie that is a suspense story, notice a scar, create a mystery, what caused the scar, the suspense of being chased - will they be safe? Then, like the movie, the surprise finish - the story is really about a friendship, a rich friendship that ended too soon. After I'd read it I listened and you brought tears to my eyes. So many layers. Pure poetry.
Thank you for seeing the structure!
so moving to hear you read this the emotion palpable real you serve your friend well and us as wel l with this too:
Yes, the church that wanted to save our heathen souls was going to maybe save our terrified bodies.
peace
Thank you!
Thanks Sherman. You made Randy still alive (also made some "running away" memories from my South Side Chicago childhood resurface as well)––what your magical writing does so well.
Thank you, Rick!
That is a great tribute to your friend, Randy.
Thank you, Olga.
So sorry, Sherman. An old friend of that duration and intensity departing leaves a
special sorrow.
Am I right to think Randy was the basis for Rowdy? He was my second favourite character in 'The Absolutely True Diary...'
feisty and angry, protective and loving.
A smartarse too, as we say here. It's a compliment. He had many good lines.
I really hope that the work with the salmon comes to fruition. We had them released into rivers in Aotearoa and there's still a few around. Our tuna. ( longfin eels) leave their streams and rivers at 60-80 years old & go to breed west of Tonga. They were a big traditional food source. Still commercially harvested even though they are endangered and a taonga ( treasure).
Excellent recall from your sisters for their memories. The close details of your life that siblings share. Great essay.
Thanks. Yes, Randy is inspiration for Rowdy. And I'm sad to hear about your holy fish.
There's an interesting parallel. The tuna's eventual progress to the sea was blocked by dams often. The workers who built the dams got very upset by what had happened, so they installed ladders & nets, caught the big breeding eels, put them on the back of utes & down to the sea . Tuna change so they can live in salt water & in the day they swim 1 Km deep, rising at night. They don't feed. Such mysterious travel.
Their elvers return to the same rivers...they are still around & we go and feed them & celebrate their existence against the odds.
I will say a karakia for Randy when I'm next at the river.
A karakia for both of you.
To honour the love and complexity and spirit.
Arohanui.
O my goodness. In our hearts and our memories. Shimmer.
Thank you, Amanda.
Once again I am touched by your vulnerability as your voice breaks with emotion. A real man! Thanks for giving yourself to all of us.
Thank you, Roger.
Thanks for the intro to Randy, I'll hang with him...
Thank you, Margaret.