ExplorationsThere is an old saying that “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure” or put another way, something that one person considers of no value may be considered priceless by someone else, Explorations proves just that.
Charting the lives of two couples recently divorced David Russell examines the frame of mind of these individuals, even the cause of the split between each couple, as in his first paragraph he states:
“Many are the currents and pressures of life which disperse people, pull them apart. But some, dispersing the majority, draw units together…”
Janice and Phillip “married at a point of maximum weakness and vulnerability” even as the cautionary words crossed their minds “are you sure you don’t want to hold on to your freedom” – each ended having the “delayed action pang of entrapment” until finally they cut their losses and the marriage ended in divorce.
Though the pain of separation hit them in different ways, they both knew, long before the separation the relationship had been bad for both of them. Phillip’s infidelity, caused by Janice’s indifference and irritabilities, brought them both to the realization it was time to move on. While Phillip mourned briefly, he eventually found someone else and started his life over.
Janice was at times riddled with self-doubt and the realization that the only way she could bear children was through artificial means. She could not really wrap her head around this, even while Phillip wanted children. Hindsight had her also realizing that if she had given birth, it would not have cemented the nuclear ties.
On the other hand, Cedric lived with the constant put-downs by Magda, his wife, with taunts of him being an ‘indecisive wimp, effeminate to boot” as she kept an “electronic hawk’s eye on him, gagging his articulacy” while her words twisted his own perception of self.
Both marriages exhibited signs of tedium, boredom and dreariness with no real love or affection. But then, as life would have it, they, meaning Janice and Cedric started crossing paths more and more often and soon the attraction started. See how what one person sees as irrelevant another will view with appreciation even anticipation.
As he did in Sensual Rhapsody, David Russell, in this short story, takes you on a sensual journey of yearning and connection – something to think about as the subtle pangs of lost love, good or bad, threaten to overwhelm you in the aftermath of divorce.
Reviewed by: Connie Jordan
December 15, 2015
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