By Christina Hermes, Prose Fiction editor.
For today's Flashback Friday, let's talk about "Perks of Being Deceased" by Ryan W. Haskall, from the 2013 edition of DiN Magazine.
This story is perfect for a look back because its main theme is that of eternity, and the lack of connection that the main character feels due to that. This fast-paced, witty, and vulgar piece is reminiscent of a Twilight Zone episode in its premise and general nature.
We follow a man coming to terms with the fact that he has made it into heaven, and now is spending an eternity in paradise. He quickly finds himself bored of this, wishing that the people around him were anything but perfect, or that he could alter the so called perfection around him. He starts yearning for the imperfections in his life, the ability to get a hangover, to need to use the bathroom, to be called out for not wearing clothes.
For a generation now scarred by life alone, I am certain that this is something most people can relate to. When you are contained solely to yourself, trapped in an insular place full of things that are catered to you but genuinely unable to leave, you start wishing for the messiness of the outside world.
I think we'll find that the end of this story, as well as all the rest is satisfying and well-written, pulling at our heartstrings as we grow attached to this messy man trapped in his perfect eternity.
Christina Hermes is a senior in the English department at New Mexico State University. She has been writing since she was a child, and has featured creative works at both Undergraduate Research & Creative Arts Symposium as well as Research & Creativity Week After Hours here at NMSU. She hopes to pursue her love for books by becoming a librarian, which she is soon to go to graduate school for.
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