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Jaline's Reviews > The Man in the Next Bed
The Man in the Next Bed
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This short story is poignant and moving, and as short as it is, it filled me with a varied mixture of emotions.
Two men share a room in an oncology ward with only a curtain between their beds. The curtain feels symbolic because it separates them visually from each other, yet sounds and other senses permeate that thin divide with ease.
This story is one of contrasts � between the two men, between hope and denial, between age and youth, between craving comfort and rejecting it, among many others. Contrasts there are � on each side of the curtain � yet there is an intangible essence that aligns perfectly and moves freely between the contrasts, like the senses that are able to navigate on either side of the curtain.
Touching and thought-provoking, I enjoyed this brief visit into a place where I could contemplate the vast space that brings all of us together; that sheds light on all, despite our contrasts.
Two men share a room in an oncology ward with only a curtain between their beds. The curtain feels symbolic because it separates them visually from each other, yet sounds and other senses permeate that thin divide with ease.
This story is one of contrasts � between the two men, between hope and denial, between age and youth, between craving comfort and rejecting it, among many others. Contrasts there are � on each side of the curtain � yet there is an intangible essence that aligns perfectly and moves freely between the contrasts, like the senses that are able to navigate on either side of the curtain.
Touching and thought-provoking, I enjoyed this brief visit into a place where I could contemplate the vast space that brings all of us together; that sheds light on all, despite our contrasts.
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Reading Progress
May 27, 2019
– Shelved
July 27, 2019
–
Started Reading
July 27, 2019
–
25.0%
July 28, 2019
–
Finished Reading
Comments Showing 1-43 of 43 (43 new)
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Laysee
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rated it 4 stars
Jul 28, 2019 08:32PM
Insightful review, Jaline. You made an excellent point of the curtain being symbolic.
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Thoughtful review Jaline. I downloaded this in May and need to take the time to read it. This is just the sort of poignant read I love.
Jaline...powerful, concise review....well done!
Love your review, Jaline.
Wonderful review Jaline! This sounds like a powerful read!🤗💜
A moving story by the sounds of it ........ lovely review Jaline.
Fabulous review, Jaline! This sounds like a very powerful story.
Laysee wrote: "Insightful review, Jaline. You made an excellent point of the curtain being symbolic."Thank you so much, Laysee! I felt there were so many symbols in this one, but the curtain definitely caught my attention first. :)
JanB wrote: "Thoughtful review Jaline. I downloaded this in May and need to take the time to read it. This is just the sort of poignant read I love."Thank you so very much, Jan! The longer I 'sit' with this one, the more symbols and parallels I see in it. :)
Fran wrote: "Jaline...powerful, concise review....well done!"Thank you so very much, Fran! There is definitely much more to this wee story than I initially thought. :)
Angela M wrote: "Love your review, Jaline."Thank you so very much, Angela! :)
Julie wrote: "Beautiful review, Jaline!! 💕"Thank you so much, Julie!! 😊�
Kaceey wrote: "Wonderful review Jaline! This sounds like a powerful read!🤗💜"Thank you so much, Kaceey! You are definitely right - for such a tiny story, it is very powerful. 😊💜
Richard wrote: "A moving story by the sounds of it ........ lovely review Jaline."Thank you so much, Richard - and you said it - this is a very moving story. Considering it is only about 20 pages, I was completely surprised by its impact. :)
Antoinette wrote: "Lovely review, Jaline."Thank you so very much, Antoinette! :)
Meredith wrote: "Fabulous review, Jaline! This sounds like a very powerful story."Meredith, this one took me by surprise. It is very short and I had no idea how powerful it would be. Maybe the best surprises come in tiny word packages. 😄
Lovely review Jaline! I am planning on reading this!😊
Debra wrote: "Great review, Jaline!"Thanks so much, Debra! :)
Beata wrote: "Loved your review, Dear Jaline ......"Thank you so very much, Dear Beata! :)
Karen wrote: "Lovely review Jaline! I am planning on reading this!😊"Thank you, Karen! It is a very short read . . . even considering I took my time with it. There is a lot to absorb, with not one word wasted. I look forward to reading your thoughts! 😊�
Felicia wrote: "Wonderful review, Jaline 💖"Thank you so much, Felicia! 💖
A poignant review and a unique setting for eavesdropping, Jaline.
Another excellent review, Jaline. It's apparent that you not only read a book, but live in it and allow it to penetrate your soul. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and observations on this book. I'll keep an eye out for it.
Carol wrote: "A poignant review and a unique setting for eavesdropping, Jaline."It is indeed, Carol - and thank you for your great comment! :)
Kate wrote: "Another excellent review, Jaline. It's apparent that you not only read a book, but live in it and allow it to penetrate your soul. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and observations on this book. I'll keep an eye out for it."Thank you for your amazing comment, Kate. You are so perceptive! Although I didn't see my reading 'pattern' exactly as you said, I realize from your words that you described precisely how I read. :)
Also, you are welcome, and I hope you are able to track down this story, too! 💐
Dita wrote: "I love this review!"Thank you so much, Dita, for your very kind comment! :)
Zoeytron wrote: "Excellent, Jaline."Thank you so much, Zoey! :)
Maureen wrote: "Lovely review Jaline 🤗"Thank you so very much, Maureen! 👍😊
Wonderful observations on this one, Jaline! I've listed it, but I know I'll need to be in the right mood for it.
Andrew wrote: "Wonderful observations on this one, Jaline! I've listed it, but I know I'll need to be in the right mood for it."Thank you for your great comment, Andrew! It didn't take me long to fall into the mood of this one - which is a good thing as it is so short. I do understand what you are saying, though, and hope you enjoy the depth of this very short story. :)
Mary Beth *Traveling Sister* wrote: "Superb review, Jaline! 💙"Thank you so very much, Mary Beth! 😊💙
Elyse wrote: "THANK YOU!!!! 🧡🌝🧡"You are most welcome! 🧡😊💙
What a beautifully-written review, Jaline. Sounds like it's masterfully done.
Great review, Jaline! Glad you enjoyed it!
