What is your opinion?
The Good Kids
"This story short was absolutely awesomely fantastic! If this story isn't food for thought I don't know what is! The question is did they or didn't they? you decide!"
The Good Kids
"I found this story fascinating. The depiction of a small farming community in America is so well done. Erin captures the atmosphere of a sultry evening and the boredom felt by restless teenagers vividly. June's remorse is heartfelt and honest. She is a good kid. A thought provoking read. Well done. Val McMurray"
The Good Kids
"Wow. Of all the stories I have read on Inkitt, this is my favorite. The writer captures completely the sight, smell, look, and emotion of a small town and the teens that inhabit it. Descriptions were woven seamlessly into the narrative in a way that added instead of feeling like a pause in the events. The main character is well played, a young almost-woman who is trying to survive the boredom of her town. What she does, and the mystery of the result will be something she will carry for the rest of her life. I especially like the way the author handled that mystery. It will haunt the reader and make them wonder. Well done, Erin Swan."
A little masterpiece
""In small towns, you have to pretend to stay busy." Okay, this is the real deal: an insightful, poetic, yet gritty story about life in small town America--it doesn't matter where or which town, since they're so alike. I've spent time in small towns in Georgia, Oklahoma, and Ohio, and this is all of them rolled into one. The sense of boredom, frustration, and delight in doing something reckless just to make something happen--I can relate to it all. I also love the evocation of the main character's parents and neighbors, following well-trod paths into the future furrowed from ancestors long past. Of course, old people were once young, and made a conscious choice to stay behind and continue the old life--something few young people understand or care to contemplate. Erin Swan gets it, and makes her characters realize the dangers of seeing life as tedious backdrop to adolescent melodrama. I won't let on what happens, but even the smallest town has hidden depths, an every action, no matter how inconsequential, can have profound consequences. The story reminded me a little of Harper Lee in its ability to conjure up a young person's perspective without losing the 'adult'knowledge and insight. It's beautifully written, spare, yet evocative--and it flows on and on like it's always existed. In a previous review, I felt that the author had beautiful writing married to a conventional plot about dragons, etc. I'm sure she loves writing fantasy--and she does it well--but this is light-years beyond that story. I felt like I was in the presence of a much older and wiser author, with a distinguished career behind her already. In short, this is phenomenal work and a short story that really packs a punch. So glad you shared it!"
The Good Kids
"Well written, realistic, perfectly described short story depicting small town life, and the boredom of it. Like another reviewer, I, too, expected something more dramatic to happen as a result of the prank, but still appreciated the story and its message. "
One of those Real Gems
"This is one of those gems that really leaves an aftertaste (figuratively) in your mouth and wanting more. There's that feeling of mystery that you don't know what actually happened and you can only assume. Yet, you can't really assume anything because that would ruin the mystery feeling of the story. As with all stories this one also has some room for improvement. What is the main character's name. I can only assume it's June. I hope Erin Swan keeps writing!"
Slice of small town life
"You did a good job of giving the reader a sense of what living in this small town was like. I grew up in a small town like the one in the story and I definitely felt the sense of boredom that the permeates living in a town like this one. Your writing is very descriptive and the story flows well overall. I was hoping for something a little more eventful to happen after the firecrackers were set off. I really wanted Mr. Riley to come running out since it would be so unexpected of someone his age. But the story moves along at a nice pace."
