Lynn Crawford (1) (1959–)

Although called a short story collection--some of the 'stories' are so fragmentary in nature that one might find oneself having read them and still be waiting for the story to begin. Whether she is the newest member of Oulipo or not (she would be only the second American if she is) Crawford's kind of minimalization of both story and characterization is not without its charms. Her sometimes unemotional and almost simplistic female archetypes may find themselves back in Dracula's castle (as in show more 'Four') or in inventing a contraption in the very amazing and hilarious title story in which her narrator keeps in shape by employing the following method:

'I use my room as a site to constuct a contraption. At the base of my bed sits a platform on which stands two stirrups. A downlined, duck-shaped slipper fits into each stirrup. Attached high up on the facing wall are two adjustable pulleys, each having an airplane for a handle. Slipping my feet into the stirrups--ducks--and holding onto the pulley's handles--planes--I am able to lift myself up and let myself down.
Two suspended strings, each tied to the quill of an exquisitely slender feather, are separated by a distance equaling that between my nipples. If I make proper use of the contraption, the tips of the feathers graze my breasts with a perfect amount of pressure. From a third suspended string, the longest, hangs a fairly small globe which can be inserted into my vagina.
Globe inserted, I grip a plane in each hand, and fit my feet into the slippers (ducks). I lift myself gently then rigorously to a point when you could call the movement violent. Having reached a lifted position, I straighten until the strain is gone and I'm left holding the slack pulleys in each hand.
I practice daily. If I do not keep at work and to a schedule I may lose any safety I've just begun to build.'

Later on in the story there will be modifications improving on her contraption. Anyway the writing is interesting but can be at times offputting in the sense that Crawford's narrative style seems to focus on her characters almost tunnel like vision of things. At times it made me think of Mark Haddon's Whitbread prize--winning novel narrated by an autistic child--The curious incident of the dog in the night--which a lot of people loved but IMO it was so-so. In any case this is less overdone and better off for it. Crawford has a nice control of language and a very subtle at times sense of humor. Coming in at 72 pages--it is not lengthy and not boring and I would give it a thumbs up. show less

Lynn Crawford writes with absolute assurance. Intelligence, wit, and brillliant language. Crawfords ability to weave fine detail and ephemeral insight are awe-inspiring.