Author Topic: Pseudopod 182: The Dreaming Way (Read 19706 times)

Bdoomed · **on:** February 20, 2010, 05:25:25 PM

Pseudopod 182: The Dreaming Way

By Jim Bihyeh
Read by Cayenne Chris Conroy of the Teknikal Diffikulties podcast

Her teachers never asked her to remove the headphones. What was the point? The girl earned a 100% on every quiz and exam, and when they called on her, Lynnette spat the answer back like a rifle ejecting a shell.

“The girl just has a way with tests,” her teachers repeated. “She knows how to prepare.”

But Lynette caught a lot of shit for her test grades. Part of the Navajo culture said that you weren’t supposed to stand out from the group. But Lynette already stood out.

“Lynette, Lyn-Ette! Teacher’s Pet!” went the usual recess refrain. “Lynette, Lyn-Ette! Teacher’s Pet! About as tall as a jumbo jet!”

And Lynette was tall. She towered past six feet by the time she reached eighth grade. And her long black hair that she rarely brushed only made her seem taller when it fell down over her wide shoulders; she was heavy-set, truly big-boned, more muscle than fat. And she put that muscle to use during the “Lynette Incidents,” as they came to be called.

Listen to this week's Pseudopod.

kibitzer · **Reply #1 on:** February 21, 2010, 02:11:47 AM

I'm loathe to comment on this one yet because I have questions which will probably ruin the story. I really enjoyed this one, as I have each of Jim's stories I've heard.

2 things:

1) Al, thoughtful and powerful outro. Thanks. It was very good to hear.

2) If I found what the MC found in the bath, I honestly don't know what I would do. I think it's quite possible I would have done the same thing.

deflective · **Reply #2 on:** February 21, 2010, 04:20:04 AM

it's odd to hear this one after love like thunder. was that the author's intention or just the way that pseudopod ran them?

Scattercat · **Reply #3 on:** February 21, 2010, 07:38:09 AM

Quote from: deflective on February 21, 2010, 04:20:04 AM

it's odd to hear this one after love like thunder. was that the author's intention or just the way that pseudopod ran them?

I think the order is very intentional. This story seems meant to fill in the gaps from "Love Like Thunder."

Unfortunately, for me at least, it was completely unnecessary. I already read this story; it was completely implied within "Love Like Thunder," and I was actually really disappointed when I realized what it was. No surprises. No twists. Nothing unexpected. Nothing we hadn't already been given ample clues to figure out. Nearly the only thing that wasn't directly stated in "Love Like Thunder" was the breed of the dog. I actually really, deeply enjoyed the 'extra' story in "Love Like Thunder," being able to see the shape of the misguided girl's seduction and corruption in the unspoken parts of that story's narrative. Having it filled in explicitly is a bit... well, honestly, it feels like the Star Wars prequels. I'm sorry, but this was Episode I to me. (My apologies, Jim. That was kind of mean. I may have overstated my case. It's definitely not Episode II, if that makes you feel any better.)

On the whole, however, I am all in favor of Jim Bihyeh and welcome him and his Coyote Tales as Pseudopod's answer to the Union Dues. I am just inordinately fond of hints and implication, and disproportionately displeased by unambiguous narrative.

Bdoomed · **Reply #4 on:** February 21, 2010, 05:17:18 PM

Quote from: Scattercat on February 21, 2010, 07:38:09 AM

I'm sorry, but this was Episode I to me. (My apologies, Jim. That was kind of mean. I may have overstated my case. It's definitely not Episode II, if that makes you feel any better.)

On the whole, however, I am all in favor of Jim Bihyeh and welcome him and his Coyote Tales as Pseudopod's answer to the Union Dues. I am just inordinately fond of hints and implication, and disproportionately displeased by unambiguous narrative.

woah woah woah dude. Really? Before you compare something such as this to Episode I, take each on its own. As in, take this story on its own, pretend you never heard the others. It's a good story, well written, etc etc. Take Episode I on its own and it's still terrible. You still don't want to watch it. Big difference there if you ask me.

Haven't listened yet to this one tho, I was really excited as I was posting this episode when I saw it was another Bihyeh story.

I really enjoy the Coyote Tales.

kibitzer · **Reply #5 on:** February 21, 2010, 10:39:28 PM

I liked it but I still have questions -- c'mon, hurry up and listen

MacArthurBug · **Reply #6 on:** February 22, 2010, 02:03:09 AM

on it's own merits a GREAT story. The ending wasn't predictable (to me) for a while and then it just made me sad. There was a beauty to the sadness here.

feste451 · **Reply #7 on:** February 22, 2010, 04:04:12 AM

Lynnette's unfortunate physical appearance is balanced by her extraordinary mind, which she uses in ways those who have ever been bullied wish they could. Magical realism appears a lot in nature-based mythology and lore, but her method of revenge was quite a surprise. Though her methods were rather brutal, they were understandable. Some lines shouldn't be crossed.

This is a tale of satisfying revenge using a very uncommon method.

gelee · **Reply #8 on:** February 22, 2010, 10:04:05 AM

Excellent story, and wonderful reading by Mr. Conroy as well. MacArthurBug hit the nail on the head. Sad and lovely.
Comparing this piece to a Star Wars prequal is quite a bit much, don't you think?

Scattercat · **Reply #9 on:** February 22, 2010, 10:45:31 AM

Quote from: gelee on February 22, 2010, 10:04:05 AM

Excellent story, and wonderful reading by Mr. Conroy as well. MacArthurBug hit the nail on the head. Sad and lovely.
Comparing this piece to a Star Wars prequal is quite a bit much, don't you think?

I'm almost as disappointed. I really liked "Love Like Thunder." I'm really bummed that he actually wrote the story so delightfully implied there. Things left unsaid are more fun.

gelee · **Reply #10 on:** February 22, 2010, 01:28:19 PM

Quote from: Scattercat on February 22, 2010, 10:45:31 AM

Quote from: gelee on February 22, 2010, 10:04:05 AM
Excellent story, and wonderful reading by Mr. Conroy as well. MacArthurBug hit the nail on the head. Sad and lovely.
Comparing this piece to a Star Wars prequal is quite a bit much, don't you think?
I'm almost as disappointed. I really liked "Love Like Thunder." I'm really bummed that he actually wrote the story so delightfully implied there. Things left unsaid are more fun.

Right. I understand the sentiment, even if I don't share it, but a lot of baggage comes along with that particular comparison. Issues of crass commercialism, milking of cash cows, and dumbing down of subject matter for wider appeal. See the "Stop George Lucas" thread in the Sci Fi discussion forum for details.
Personally, I think the two stories compliment each other nicely. "Love Like Thunder" leaves us with "who was that little girl, and why did she kill all those children?" This piece leaves us with, "why does the hitchhiker manipulate Lynette into killing all those kids?" Together, I think they make a nice little knot.

Unblinking · **Reply #11 on:** February 22, 2010, 02:56:02 PM

Another excellent Bihyeh piece, which I've come to expect from the name. It took me a little while to remember the association, and I've listened to hundreds of Escape Artists episodes since then, so the sheer bulk of intervening stories has fuzzed my memory a bit. I remembered just enough to know that the man's prediction was inevitable.

Comparisons to Star Wars Ep. I are definitely exaggerated. This was a good story. I can understand complaints of over-explaining a backstory, though I didn't personally have that complaint. But to compare to Lucas's madness of recent decades is overly harsh.

deflective · **Reply #12 on:** February 22, 2010, 05:28:30 PM

has it ever actually been said that this is a prequel or are we just assuming that love like thunder came first because pseudopod ran it first?

kibitzer · **Reply #13 on:** February 22, 2010, 10:04:53 PM

Far as I can see, it's definitely a prequel. I went back and listened to bits of Love Like Thunder to make sure.

In that vein, one of my questions is: did the dude in the cowboy hat (does he have a name?) deliberately setup Lynette so's he could try to get what he wanted out of Dondo?

madmatt · **Reply #14 on:** February 22, 2010, 10:31:18 PM

I thought it was a brilliant contrast to "Love like Thunder" - where something special and unique survives, here something special and unique is lost. For me "Love Like Thunder" was very uplifting, notwithstanding the horrific events within it, now seeing the sad story of Lynette brings a terrible tragedy to both stories that is very poignant.

Now these are my favorite two Pseudopod episodes by far.

stePH · **Reply #15 on:** February 23, 2010, 01:38:24 AM

I have no recollection of "Love Like Thunder" so it didn't affect my perception of this story.

Prior to listening, the title had me wondering if it would refer to Navaho spirituality in some way.

I liked this story a lot, and will have to go back and hear "Love Like Thunder" again.

cdugger · **Reply #16 on:** February 23, 2010, 02:06:52 AM

Won't get to finish it for a day or so, but so far I am loving it!

Not surprising. I really enjoy all of Jim's stuff, and Cheyenne is already on my list of "We're not worthy"s that I have to perform...

WhiteShadow · **Reply #17 on:** February 23, 2010, 04:27:24 AM

I really liked this one. I'm looking foward to another addition to The Coyote Tales?

Unblinking · **Reply #18 on:** February 23, 2010, 02:28:07 PM

Quote from: kibitzer on February 22, 2010, 10:04:53 PM

Far as I can see, it's definitely a prequel. I went back and listened to bits of Love Like Thunder to make sure.

In that vein, one of my questions is: did the dude in the cowboy hat (does he have a name?) deliberately setup Lynette so's he could try to get what he wanted out of Dondo?

It's definitely a prequel, the events in this story were directly referenced by the other.

Regarding your question: that's definitely what it looks like to me, he's doing it all to get the lightning feathers or whatever. He most likely goaded the boys into doing what they did.

feste451 · **Reply #19 on:** February 24, 2010, 12:50:36 AM

I just gave this story a second listen and realized the way this story, "Reservation Monsters" and "Love Like Thunder" are told from the perspectives of the main characters as part of the larger story, a method that gives Mr. Bihyeh a chance to mix up styles appropriate to the character, I am definitely hooked on this "series" and and am growing more eager to read (or listen to) what I hope will be a complete collection of Coyote Tales.

stePH · **Reply #20 on:** February 24, 2010, 12:57:40 AM

Quote from: feste451 on February 24, 2010, 12:50:36 AM

I just gave this story a second listen and realized the way this story, "Reservation Monsters" and "Love Like Thunder" are told from the perspectives of the main characters as part of the larger story, a method that gives Mr. Bihyeh a chance to mix up styles appropriate to the character, I am definitely hooked on this "series" and and am growing more eager to read (or listen to) what I hope will be a complete collection of Coyote Tales.

I would buy such a collection from Mr. Bihyeh, as I've already done for Eugie Foster. Has he shopped these stories to a book publisher yet?

Scattercat · **Reply #21 on:** February 24, 2010, 02:07:38 AM

I thought he said there was a book in the works... I know he mentioned a Coyote-Tales-specific podcast.

Cayenne Chris Conroy · **Reply #22 on:** February 24, 2010, 02:10:41 AM

Good God, Jim's stories are a joy to read... I mean, all of them have been fun; but these Coyote tales are just delightful.

Unblinking · **Reply #23 on:** February 24, 2010, 02:38:17 PM

Quote from: Cayenne Chris Conroy on February 24, 2010, 02:10:41 AM

Good God, Jim's stories are a joy to read... I mean, all of them have been fun; but these Coyote tales are just delightful.

They wouldn't be the same without you to read them. I especially like your voice for the old man. As long as these stories keep coming to Pseudopod, I hope they ring you to read them.

heyes · **Reply #24 on:** February 24, 2010, 05:18:48 PM

Another wonderful story by a great writer, performed perfectly!
This episode will be making the rounds to all my friends!