Dogs Go Wolf by Lauren Groff, 2018
The magic trick:
Breaking the narrative momentarily for epilogue material that provides a new perspective on the story
This one is an interesting combination of Karen Russell’s “Haunting Olivia” and Groff’s own “The Midnight Zone.” Not a bad thing, per se. Those are two really good stories; two very Florida stories. So it’s not a surprise then that “Dogs Go Wolf” is very much about setting.
I actually love this story. It’s one of my favorites from the last few years in The New Yorker. There is much to recommend here, but I think my favorite aspect is the way the narration breaks right near the peak of dramatic tension. We leave the story’s present tense momentarily and skip forward a couple of decades. We get a picture of how these kids turn out as adults.
On one hand, it’s reassuring. OK, they survive this ordeal, we think. But on the other hand, it’s not exactly a rosy picture of perfect future happiness either. Mostly, though, the brief section refocuses our attention when we return to the story’s main narrative on the island. We no longer are reading for plot or suspense, we’re looking at the world with a more lyrical or symbolic eye, with a renewed focus on the feminist undertones here.
Really great story!
And that’s quite a trick on Groff’s part.
The selection:
The older sister’s body was made of air. She was a balloon, skidding over the ground. The light on the waves in the bay made her cry, but not with sadness. It was so beautiful, it wanted to speak to her; it was about to say something if she only watched hard enough.
The zip of a mosquito near her ear was a needling beauty. She let the mosquito land on her skin, and slowly it pulsed and pumped and she felt her blood rising up into the small creature.
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Short Story Magic Tricks 
Discovered you today! I’m writing to comment on the site, and I’m a fan of this author (among many many others in your index), so I may as well do it here.
I like your feature of pointing out the “trick” of the story. I read this story too long ago to write a new comment, but I seem to recall the trick you described. I have been a follower and commentor for over a year on one of the blogs you follow: Mookse and the Gripes. I commented on this story there, in case you care to look.
From the stories I’ve looked at here, it seems as if you aren’t getting many comments—unless my choices are only coincidentally lacking them. You merit better than that! What dedication to write,so many reviews with little response. I hope there are many quiet readers.
When I first looked at Mookse last year, Trevor had virtually stopped writing, because after years of a very active following of prolific commentors, response had declined to close to zero for many months. I started writing and encouraged others to do so. Whether or not my efforts were helpful, there is now a modest revival, though not nearly what Trevor’s many reviews deserve. I’d love to see you get more response, too. I’ll tell readers I know about the site.
As for Lauren Groff, I note that for her, and others I’ve looked at here, you cover only her New Yorker stories. (Do you follow other periodicals?) I’ve read her collections and several novels, and I recommend them. Her latest novel, _The Vaster Wilds_ , is absolutely great, compelling, best I’ve read of hers, a classic… I’ll read every next book she puts out. I think she’s about due for a new story collection.
Looking at your index, I can see your tastes resemble mine. I don’t know how much time I can spend writing—I need to reserve time to *read! But I will watch for your new entries, explore your previous, write as I can.
Wow, thanks Eddie! Much appreciated! Yes, the comments sections tend to be fairly lonely in magic trick land here. We have a strong, consistent readership but not a lot of discussion. So anything you want to add would be great. I’ve noted some of your comments at M&G, and that’s very cool that you are responsible for some of the recent reemergence of regular response. Hoping to keeping growing this –