26 Comments
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EJ Trask's avatar

Sean this is golden. Pure STM, everything you do so well. I would read the novella of this. I’ve been to Bodie the ghost town and this is the story it needed.

Sean Thomas McDonnell's avatar

Thank you! My other story The Hanging of Lester Bragg also takes place in Bodie. Maybe I should make an entire collection that takes place in that town. haha

EJ Trask's avatar

if anyone did it would be you

Nico Harlakenden's avatar

Ugh, phenomenal.

"I understood the oppression of majesty."

It makes me think about the first time I saw the midwest from the ground, driving through so many fields. Seeing so flat and so far, it made me feel like my heart would explode. Like an exposed mouse.

Sean Thomas McDonnell's avatar

Thank you, Nico!

I love that description. I’ve definitely felt that way driving across the country. It’s big.

troy adkins's avatar

gut-wrenching. the way the story progresses is plague-like. so, so well done.

Sean Thomas McDonnell's avatar

Thank you, Troy! That means a lot to me. <3

Hylia Corvidae's avatar

Wow, what an excellent experience start to finish, I loved this

Sean Thomas McDonnell's avatar

Thank you, Hylia! <3 What a compliment. I appreciate it.

Jay Wilcox's avatar

This is madness, in the absolute best way. Bravo

Sean Thomas McDonnell's avatar

Thanks, Jay! It was a fun challenge. Had fun at your Live today!

Jay Wilcox's avatar

Thank you! We'll be doing another one soon 😎

Will Boucher's avatar

This is an entire world. The characters sucked me in and I was entranced the entire time. Bravo, Sean!

Sean Thomas McDonnell's avatar

Thanks, Will! Hope you're doing good. Maybe we should do another live so we can catch up on all this novel and collections work. :))

K.C. Knouse's avatar

The wooden finger of revenge. Great ending.

Sandy Shaller's avatar

Sean, I hardly remember breathing as I read "What Dread Hand." It's a brilliant story and creates that greatest of all environments, a small town, isolated, with its own dreadful take on religion. The turning of the coin into wood at the end made the religious allegory complete. Bravo!

Sean Thomas McDonnell's avatar

Thank you my dear friend. Your words mean so much to me. And I was just thinking about you! Hope you are well. <3

Sandy Shaller's avatar

Dear Sean, all the Shallers are well and we have a new tiny granddaughter named Louisa. That makes four granddaughters. The oldest, Keely, will be heading to college in September (gasp! gasp!). She has heard from two of her choices and will hear from the rest in February. I am in the processes of finally finishing my OZ books. I'll then start editing while I finish "Patty Cake." I really like the OZ book, and if I have the energy, I'm going to try and edit it carefully and see what I can do with it.

How are you and your wonderful, and exceedingly adorable family? What grades are the children in now?

Liz Zimmers's avatar

Gripping, terrifying (not the plague so much as the response to it), and sad. Beautifully written, boiled down to a powerful essence.

Sean Thomas McDonnell's avatar

Thank you, Liz! <3 High praise coming from such an eloquent writer.

Nick Buchheit's avatar

You painted a devilish dark and real picture with your words in this one. Per usual exquisitely written, Sean!

Sean Thomas McDonnell's avatar

Thanks man! It was a fun challenge for me!

NJ Fiction's avatar

One of your finest if I do say so myself! Palpable

The Ear Implant Foundation's avatar

A chilling and tragic tale, with the historical setting captured vividly.

David Perlmutter's avatar

Intriguing idea: as if Tolkien's Ents were in 19th century America.