The Country Ahead of Us, The Country Behind

published	April 30th 1996 by Vintage
binding	Paperback
isbn	0679767185 (isbn13: 9780679767183)
pages	176
description	Like his novel, Snow Falling On Cedars, for which he received the PEN/Faulkner Award, Guterson's beautifully observed and emotionally piercing short s...more [close] Like his novel, Snow Falling On Cedars, for which he received the PEN/Faulkner Award, Guterson's beautifully observed and emotionally piercing short stories are set largely in the Pacific Northwest. In these vast landscapes, hunting, fishing, and sports are the givens of men's lives. With prose that stings like the scent of gunpowder, this is a collection of power. [close]
date added	02-04-07 edit book

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SVK rated it:

02/18/08

Read in January, 2005

recommends it for: Short story lovers (it's nothing like Snow Falling on Cedars)

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

Favourite story: “Piranhas” Paul is 12 yeas old, living with parents who don’t see him. The story opens with mom giving a tour of the house, Paul’s room is one stop on the tour. People stare at him and speak about him as he isn’t there. His parents are clearly absorbed, materialists.

Paul decides one day that he wants goldfish. Mom won’t allow him to buy them with his own money—so that, we learn, she can keep control. There’s some wonderful 12-year-old dialogue betwe...more Favourite story: “Piranhas” Paul is 12 yeas old, living with parents who don’t see him. The story opens with mom giving a tour of the house, Paul’s room is one stop on the tour. People stare at him and speak about him as he isn’t there. His parents are clearly absorbed, materialists.

Paul decides one day that he wants goldfish. Mom won’t allow him to buy them with his own money—so that, we learn, she can keep control. There’s some wonderful 12-year-old dialogue between Paul and his friend Gary. Reeks of reality, very funny, takes you back to 12.

Paul ponders the lives of his fish. Why they don’t resent their circumstances when things could be so different. Sure, the get food and shelter, but they aren’t individuals. The metaphor is unmistakable.

We learn that Paul and Gary are not allowed to go to the arcade. Paul’s TV intake is also closely monitored. The boys are instantly intrigued by the fish. They recall a film where a girl and a scientist get eaten by piranhas. Paul has also read about this grusome behavior in the encyclopedia. Guterson’s critique of bad influences takes shape…

One night Paul is on his balcony, trying to contemplate the stars, his place in the world, when he interrupts his parents making out in the hot tub. Their love is not tender, it’s almost violent, representative of their own selfishness. They soon realize his presence and yell at him to get lost. This scene is juxtaposed to Paul feeding his first fish to his piranhas, then the next, until the tank is empty.

Paul moves half the piranhas into the spare tank, so they will grow. His parents become disturbed by the fish and tell him to get rid of them. Mom literally pulls the plug and says , “This is it with tropical fish. You’ll just have to find a more appropriate hobby.” Again, fish are a bad influence?

Paul, of course, puts the piranhas into the hot tub; they quickly die. He and Gary comiserate and discuss ways to kill their parents. They decide to do it.

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The Country Ahead of Us, The Country Behind

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