Exposing his father's transgressions in a tell-all was the ethical, righteous-and profitable-thing to do. What's left but to slink back home for a humbling face-to-face with the man whose secrets he sold?
He was a notorious government whistle-blower. Depending on whom you ask, he's a treasonous felon, a folk hero, a validated patriot, or a national disgrace. To his son, Michael, he's the father who threw his family into upheaval. Now, having moved back home at the age of thirty-four, Michael is getting to know him as a man. And getting nearer to understanding his motivations that have remained a mystery in this darkly humorous short story of sacrifice and betrayal by New York Times bestselling author Anthony Marra.
Anthony Marra's The Lion's Den is part of Inheritance, a collection of five stories about secrets, unspoken desires, and dangerous revelations between loved ones. Each piece can be read or listened to in a single setting. By yourself, behind closed doors, or shared with someone you trust.
***
[The day before my father died, he asked to see the lions]***
(Amazon Original Stories, 19 December 2019, 24 pages, ebook, borrowed from @AmazonKindle #PrimeReading)
***
***
I'd never heard of the author before so had no expectations for this short story. I really enjoyed it and may check out the author's full-length work. I liked the way Marra explores the complicated relationship between the narrator and his father. The story also comments on some big themes such as corruption and American life. There's a lot packed into the stories sparse pages. There is a lot of humour in the story and sadness as well. Marra perfectly blends both.
