25 Comments
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Rosie Enoki's avatar

This piece is deeply human and very Jungian. The shadow isn’t our enemy. It’s part of meaning. What destroys us isn’t darkness, but the attempt to erase it.

I really enjoyed this!

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Uluscri's avatar

This story feels like small-town cosmic horror, it's hard to describe otherwise, and I love that. And the interview is awesome, looking forward to more of these :0

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Kevin Bradley's avatar

I loved the interview and the author's sense of humor. Thank you, Gennarose, for reminding us to let other people reject us if they want--no need to do that for them.

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Rochelle Jewel Shapiro's avatar

However, did she think of such a story? It redefines story for me. It blurs genres and throws a spotlight on the author's genius. So happy it was read. I'm sight-disabled and tend to skim otherwise.

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E. Ivey's avatar

This was a lovely read! A fascinating concept as well.

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VI LL A's avatar

That piece of writing advice, genius, and means a lot. Gracias.

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Annelise Ettema's avatar

What an incredible story and interview! Thank you for sharing!

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Jarret Sharp's avatar

This author is so effortless, the story without guile.

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Tara Mesalik MacMahon's avatar

The story/the interview--both incredible, unforgettable. Thank you so much

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🍂lillia🍂's avatar

This was such a beautiful piece! I love how, in trying to surround themselves in the light, they (through overloading the electrical circuit) became the light for the town. And the vision of the building burning up! So cool! Just chills all around!

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Camille Dawnier's avatar

That was my most enjoyable moment on Substack! I loved the story (no surprise here, I knew you'd find the gold and it delivered!) but the pairing with the author interview was just chef kiss. A deep dive into her funny and brilliant personality that truly elevated the story. I'm totally prompted to read more of her work! (And more of Strange Pilgrims, of course).

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Hemlock Hobo's avatar

Not one word was wasted!

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Kasey Busko's avatar

Loved this! This read like the inverse of that fictional Russian Sleep Experiment story. Going mad from the light instead of the dark.

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Ximena Carrera's avatar

Hooray, first story is here! This was such a poignant piece; it felt like taking in a big breath in a confined space— much like being inside the Illuminarium, I think. The interview was also fun (I’m afraid to look into the goats… but, mostly, I’m very intrigued) and I felt seen by the ‘let them choose if they want to sleep with you’ description. Brilliant!!! See y’all next week <3

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Hannah Levy's avatar

Love love love this so much.

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Bianca van der Meulen's avatar

Delicious!

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