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Cornbread
"They call me 'Cornbread' because that's what my husband was eatin' when I shot him in the face..."
Thus begins the debut story from 24-year-old author Sean Hammer. Told in the odd and unforgettable voice of its protagonist, "Cornbread" is the tale of a matricidal Arkansas woman bringing about the final days of her marriage. At turns darkly comical and deeply tragic, it's a story that lingers long after it's finished, like the smell of fresh baked cornbread or discharged gunpowder...
Thus begins the debut story from 24-year-old author Sean Hammer. Told in the odd and unforgettable voice of its protagonist, "Cornbread" is the tale of a matricidal Arkansas woman bringing about the final days of her marriage. At turns darkly comical and deeply tragic, it's a story that lingers long after it's finished, like the smell of fresh baked cornbread or discharged gunpowder...
23 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 17, 2012
16 people are currently reading
56 people want to read
About the author
Sean Hammer
2 books9 followersSEAN HAMMER was born in Washington, DC and raised in nearby Silver Spring, Maryland. He is a graduate of Boston University and The Johns Hopkins University, and is currently studying in the MFA Program at Hunter College. His writing can be found at Kindle Singles, The Prague Revue, and Mid-American Review, among others.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
January 1, 2016
I like crime shorts when I'm just looking to cleanse my reading palate between weightier things. The reviews and description of this one made it seem worth a look. It starts right off with a confession of murder: "They call me Cornbread, because that's what my husband was eatin' when I shot him in the face." I generally like this sort of early revelation, because it means the story is a "whydunit" rather than a "whodunit," and the whys of a murder are complex, interesting things.
Something about this story rings false for me. It might be the redneck-ish dialect, which doesn't seem quite genuine. It might be the put-upon housewife, who for all her yearnings and pent-up frustrations, still feels a little cardboard to me.
It wasn't until after reading that I learned the author is a 24 year-old male from New York. In some ways, that makes me feel as if he's really accomplished something, in that it's a pretty good story for a young writer, and the POV isn't that bad for a woman written by a man. I'm judging the book, though, and not the author's bio, so I can't call this anything more than just okay. Would be willing to read more by the author if he sticks closer to home, subject-wise.
Something about this story rings false for me. It might be the redneck-ish dialect, which doesn't seem quite genuine. It might be the put-upon housewife, who for all her yearnings and pent-up frustrations, still feels a little cardboard to me.
It wasn't until after reading that I learned the author is a 24 year-old male from New York. In some ways, that makes me feel as if he's really accomplished something, in that it's a pretty good story for a young writer, and the POV isn't that bad for a woman written by a man. I'm judging the book, though, and not the author's bio, so I can't call this anything more than just okay. Would be willing to read more by the author if he sticks closer to home, subject-wise.
December 3, 2012
A short story only available on Kindle. A nice sort story (23 pages) better than pretty good. I think this is only available as a Kindle Single. If you don't like dialect keep clear. This story had quite some power.
October 11, 2021
Cornbread is written in a way that flows perfectly and sees us told of an Arkansas wife who is now known as 'Cornbread' as that was what her husband was eating when she shot him in the face. This sounds like something which is not going to be a comfortable read but despite being a short story of around 23 pages this manages to not feel like it is skimming the surface but instead manages to read as a great story and is dark, comedic, tragic and even more.
This is a fantastic start from Sean Hammer and I really do hold out high hopes for more to come.
This is a fantastic start from Sean Hammer and I really do hold out high hopes for more to come.
January 1, 2018
Odd but Entertaining
Great short story that gets right to the point. It’s a peek at the psychosis of a woman and her naive honesty of telling it like it is.
Great short story that gets right to the point. It’s a peek at the psychosis of a woman and her naive honesty of telling it like it is.
December 15, 2012
"All I really remember thinkin' was that I was tired, just tired. Not like tired how you get when you been tossin' all night or you been fussin' all day, but tired like you get in the head, like when you get to thinking how sometimes maybe things is unfair, how you never chose to be one way or the other, how you were just born and it seemed like the rules were already made up without your say. Like your whole life was just laid out like a map, and you ain't got nothing to do but to follow it until the end, whether you like where the road's going or not. I remember that I got to thinking that maybe I might like to get off that road ever once and then. To stop off and see the world."
December 11, 2014
This tale is impressive in that a quite young male author from DC/NYC can successfully get into the head of an abused, poor Southern sociopath wife. Awww, Jenny, our protagonist....you didn't ask for much, but you received even less. Perhaps most battered women have a final straw, a breaking point, and yours was the crappy cornbread. Great little story; in reality, too bad so many women are just a pan of cornbread away from joining you. Recommend.
March 22, 2013
Imagine the song Cell Block Tango ( He Had It Comin') from the musical Chicago as a short story and you'll have a good idea of what Cornbread is. It's a monologue from a woman shoots her husband with an antique rifle. Why? He insulted her cornbread. This southern story grabbed me immediately and reminded me of The Help. I'd love to see it expanded into a novel. Now if I could just get that cornbread recipe maybe we could discuss an appeal.
December 27, 2012
A Kindle short. Short, creepy and effective. Jenny is likeable at times, and horrific other times.
I feel the "redneck" language may have been overdone, but I can't swear on this since English is not my first language, but it seemed a bit excessive.
Still enjoyed it. And now I'm on my way home to bake some cornbread.
I feel the "redneck" language may have been overdone, but I can't swear on this since English is not my first language, but it seemed a bit excessive.
Still enjoyed it. And now I'm on my way home to bake some cornbread.
November 13, 2014
Decent short story
first short story pretty decent, humorous, and insightful of how ones MIND THINKS when it's not healthy and needs help, also when people especially the ones you love push to the extreme...Some people can't take that abuse , they snap and that was the result if Mrs. cornbread
first short story pretty decent, humorous, and insightful of how ones MIND THINKS when it's not healthy and needs help, also when people especially the ones you love push to the extreme...Some people can't take that abuse , they snap and that was the result if Mrs. cornbread
December 29, 2012
Cornbread is a very short, quick story. I wish it were longer as the main character is very witty. I wouldn't mind reading about her life in more detail. This story goes so quick it's almost as if it was just an outline, or summary, of a novel.
November 9, 2012
This piece is brilliant! I purchased off of my kindle and enjoyed the story very much! I was intrigued on how vividly the story was in told in my head. Thank you for your work I look forward to more!
November 27, 2012
Really well written. Wish it wasn't so short, I could have gone on reading the history of these characters for lots more pages! It was just a tad shy of convincing me she was justified, and that would probably be remedied with MORE! Good read!
March 2, 2013
Descriptions are very vivid. I have a tendency to read aloud, and I found myself adopting a full southern accent. I also like the fact that the outcome is stated immediately, and the rest of the story focuses on how we got there. Would absolutely recommend.
September 8, 2014
Enjoyed it
Jenny had realized that life wasn't all that and a bag of chips. day to day same old crap finally pushed her to her limits. loved the way the story was told. Bravo! well done.
Jenny had realized that life wasn't all that and a bag of chips. day to day same old crap finally pushed her to her limits. loved the way the story was told. Bravo! well done.
September 14, 2014
A well told tale
I love Southern anything. This short story is told from the perspective of a Southern woman living an oppressive life. It's a dark story, but it's told in such a way as to not disturb you in an uncomfortable way.
I love Southern anything. This short story is told from the perspective of a Southern woman living an oppressive life. It's a dark story, but it's told in such a way as to not disturb you in an uncomfortable way.
January 6, 2015
This book is short. It doesn't have time to meander and lose its way. You're immediately immersed in a style of dialogue, like you're entering a conversation in the middle. This didn't detract from the experience at all. Pleasant, light and humorous read.
October 27, 2012
The dialect made it a little hard to follow at first. You get used to it, and the book is a very quick read. Great for a rainy afternoon, or while waiting in a waiting room.
December 15, 2012
very fast read....entertaining
June 18, 2014
I really loved this short story. It is an interesting perspective into the mind of a battered woman and the choices that she makes.
Read
January 2, 2013yuk. don't waste your time and money.
May 28, 2013
I thought it was cute. I laughed a lot. But I have a dark sense of humor.
The story starts with her shooting her husband. She then details the annoyances that led her to it.
The story starts with her shooting her husband. She then details the annoyances that led her to it.
August 8, 2013
I agree with another review that said it was too short. Maybe there was a word limit? Would have liked more.
August 16, 2013
Great read. I would definitely read more from this author. He had me from the first line.
December 30, 2013
Short and sweet
The language of the story makes you feel like your talking to the character. This was a great story beginning to end!
The language of the story makes you feel like your talking to the character. This was a great story beginning to end!
May 29, 2014
short and cruel :)
August 24, 2014
Cornbread
Not bad for a short story. I think most everyone has had days like Cornbread did, thankfully not everyone takes care of it the same way.
Not bad for a short story. I think most everyone has had days like Cornbread did, thankfully not everyone takes care of it the same way.
October 14, 2014
Not much
just didn't have much substance. wondered where it was going, and then it w s over.
would not recommend this.
just didn't have much substance. wondered where it was going, and then it w s over.
would not recommend this.
December 14, 2014
Morbidly Funny
Loved the voice in this snapshot of a woman pushed over the edge. Very entertaining. The story is sad, but the storyteller doesn't seem sad at all.
Loved the voice in this snapshot of a woman pushed over the edge. Very entertaining. The story is sad, but the storyteller doesn't seem sad at all.
January 10, 2015
Fun short read
This was a fun short story to read. The author did a great job building the characters personalities and painting the miserable iLife Jenny was living.
This was a fun short story to read. The author did a great job building the characters personalities and painting the miserable iLife Jenny was living.
April 9, 2015
Down to earth
A good short story about life as a battered woman. She told it the way she saw it, plain and simple.
A good short story about life as a battered woman. She told it the way she saw it, plain and simple.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews