Aimee Bener & Rick Bass

                The Rememberer is a very peculiar story; the author’s purpose is something that I have trouble understanding. However, the emotions of the protagonist spilled through the pages. “I wanted to meet the ape too, to take care of my lover like a son, a pet; I wanted to know him every possible way…” it was evident that she loved Ben dearly, despite being in the form of another species entirely. She feeds salamander-Ben honey because she hasn’t forgotten that it is one of his favorites; a memory that only a lover would hold on to. Overall this sets a melancholy mood for the story; the protagonist wants so badly for her lover to return, but it appears impossible. A little less obvious, but it seemed that ape-Ben and salamander Ben and likely all forms of Ben were able to recognize the protagonist. “And once we were face to face, he gave me his same sad look… I said No, loudly, and he seemed to understand…” As an ape, Ben was able to communicate with the protagonist in a few different ways. In the beginning, sea turtle-Ben responds to the protagonist’s desperate questions in the only way he knows how – by staring. It is as if he wants to communicate with her, but he is physically unable.

                The actions of the protagonist of In the Loyal Mountains were very bothersome. It was clear from the very beginning in the way that she was introduced that Glenda was a love-interest of the protagonist. And after seeing how close he got with Glenda, I was expecting a happy ending and was disappointed when I was left with a bit of a cliff-hanger. All this despite the warning that he did not want anything more than a friendship because she was leaving in August, and he would not see her again. “Glenda took long naps at my cabin after her runs; we both did, Glenda sleeping on my couch. I’d cover her with a blanket and lie down on the floor next to her.” The detail of this quote could be used to describe any would-be lover who is afraid of getting too close. I didn’t understand why Glenda set fire to the grass at the end and forced the protagonist into the pond with him; perhaps it was a last-ditch effort to get as close to him as possible. However, with her leaving the next day it seemed meaningless.

                Tom, the friend of the protagonist, is quite protective of Glenda. This is shown when he gives the protagonist a pistol and asks him to follow and protect her. “’Aww, bullshit!’  Tom roared, standing up with his bottle of Jack Daniels.” Later in the story we get a refreshing view of Jack Daniels drunk Tom, who is rowdy and fun-loving, although a bit cocky. I found this interesting because I got an idea of what Tom the brother is like, as well as Tom the friend; from this I could infer that Tom the person is overall a loving guy despite the story explicitly stating so. The author's ability to expand on otherwise minor characters made it a much more interesting read.