Monday 13 February 2017

Loving the University - Barry Lyga - A Short Story

Loving the University
A Short Story
Barry Lyga
B & Z Publishing 
ASIN B01MTEXDEZ


This is the second in a series of short stories that Barry Lyga is releasing this year. These previously unpublished stories will be released one a month, and from the look of it only available during that month. So if you are a fan of Lyga's work then I suggest get them while you can. But these stories are also being published with a purpose, for Lyga will not be taking any of the proceeds of the sales. He has decided to donate the money to the ACLU in response to all that is currently going on in the political sphere. You can read about that more here. But not living in the United States nor being American that has a little less impact on me. However I have been a fan of Lyga's work since first discovering his writings in the anthology Geektastic back in 2009, in fact I have tracked down out of print anthologies that he contributed to. So the chance to get some new short stories is welcome.

This story was a very interesting read. As someone who was a student off and on for over 20 years both full and part time at a few different universities, and as someone who worked as a university chaplain, there is still a draw to campus and campus life. But this story tackles that from a different direction. It follows a father and son who live their life working in the family pizza shop, that is dependant upon the university students for it's success and prosperity. It is interesting to read about son witnessing his father, and then repeating the same events in his own life.

Lyga's description of the story is: 
"Stavros has worked his whole life at the Pizza Emporium.
(Or has he?)
He's watched generations of University men come and go, ever-changing, while his life has remained the same.
(Or has it?)
"Loving the University" is an intimate and intricate look into one man's choices and the pains of mere living.
(Or is it?)"

And in the author's note at the end of the story, he shares how this story came close to being published a number of times. But the publications seemed to want the same one change, a change that Lyga himself through would fundamentally alter the story. So it did not see the light of day until published this year so the proceeds can go to a cause Lyga believes in. The story was written in response to events that transpired in Lyga's life at Broadway Pizza in New Haven. But looking back he wonders about his writing the story and his conjectures that led to it. 

In this case event though it is a very good short story, they story about the story and the stories history are almost as interesting.

Books by Barry Lyga:
I Hunt Killers:
I Hunt Killers (2012)
Game - I Hunt Killers #2 (2013)

Blood of My Blood - I Hunt Killers # 3 (2014)

I Hunt Killers Short Stories:
Down Time (2018)
Lucky Day (2014)
Career Day (2012)
Neutral Mask (2013)
Blood Boy (2014)

Brookdale High:
The Astonishing Adventures of Fanboy and Goth Girl (2006)
Boy Toy (2007)
Hero Type (2008)
Goth Girl Rising (2009)

Bang (2017)

Archvillian:
Archvillain #1 (2010)
The Mad Mask - Archvillian #2 (2011)
Yesterday Again - Archvillian #3 (2013)


The Flash Series:
Hocus Pocus (2017)
Johnny Quick (2018)
Tornado Twins (2018)

Other Books By Barry Lyga:
Graphic Novels in Your Media Center: A definitive Guide (with Alison A.W. Lyga - 2004)
Wolverine: Worst Day Ever (2009)
MangaMan (with Colleen Dorren 2011)

Unsoul'd (2013)
After The Red Rain (2015)
The Secret Sea (2016)
Thanos Titan Consumed (2018)
The Hive (2019)

...

Short Story Project 2017
The Ghosts at 95
Loving The University
The Ideas of March
Four Minutes
Pulse vs. the Killing Fiend
Her Decade
The Life Cycle of Stars (Ignition)
Bobby
Trading Worlds
When I Die
The Autopsying of Michael Edward Morgan
Meet Me Tonight
...

Contributed to:

Geektastic (2009)
Who Done It? (2013)

Author Profile and Interview with Barry Lyga

Author Profile and Interview with Randall Banner

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