12 Comments
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Toni Tan's avatar

Intriguing. A truck hits your bike. But the real drama lies in your relationship, and the way you communicate the facts and feelings of a truck hitting your bike.

Christian Näthler's avatar

most impressive is that cover image

Christian Näthler's avatar

incredible. gonna spend a long time looking at these.

Sherri Puchalsky's avatar

Do you really think they break up? That certainly wasn't my interpretation. I do see a type of tension that is very relateable. He has an upsetting experience, but doesn't want to be upset. He resists being angry. He also doesn't want anyone to be upset *at* him, to believe he didn't react in the *correct* way, that he didn't do what he should. He is so sure his girlfriend is judging him that he blames her for his change in mood after they interact. He examines many relationships in his life, the kind of person he is, his girlfriend are, his parents are, while also contemplating how to fix his bike. He and his girlfriend talk and also seek resolution.

Patrick Murphy's avatar

So good, always so good. I love everything Tao Lin writes.

Ryan McDuffie's avatar

I enjoyed reading this and appreciate getting posts from you 👍🚲

Tim Wright's avatar

I couldn't find any change in the protagonist. Two events occur: a truck strikes and damages the rear wheel of his bicycle, and later he breaks up with his girlfriend. Where are the stakes? I see almost no tension. What does the protagonist want? His girlfriend want? I don't see it on the page. He wants to fix his bicycle, good. Maybe I'm built too low to the ground, because it all went over my head.

Run-on's avatar

It's all there, Tim. It's just impressively, incredibly subtle. :)

Gideon Leek's avatar

Enjoyed this! Keep up the good work, Tao.