The House Plant

The House Plant by Jeremy Ray is just 31 pages short, and yet the author packs in so much without wasting a single word.

This short story is sensitive and humorous in its own unique way. The narrative inspires one to explore beyond the societal definitions of beauty and happiness. The story has an unusual protagonist, and it deals with love, kindness, death, grief, hope, and sadness in an extremely meaningful and touching manner.

The prose flows freely, and I finished reading the story in a single sitting. It is difficult for readers to connect with characters in a short story format, but that was not the case here. I could see, feel, and hear the characters here despite the short length. George, the fern, Brenda, and her family’s emotions and lives are well portrayed.

Ray’s writing is powerful, and I loved the choice of the narrator and the lovely ending. The unexpected twist and its impact on the plant really tore me up.

I highly recommend The House Plant. It is a quick read, and even if you are not a fan of short stories, you will enjoy this. It is both sad and uplifting at the same time.

Wordsopedia Rating 5/5

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About the author

Jeremy Ray graduated from Carnegie Mellon University with a MFA in Dramatic Writing. He is the recipient of the Max K. Lerner Playwriting Fellowship for his play Boiling Point and the Shubert Playwriting Fellowship for his play Sisters of Transformation. His work has been performed at the Kennedy Center in Washington DC, and his screenplays have placed in the PAGE International Screenwriting Awards Competition, The Academy Nicholl Fellowship, and the ScreenCraft Drama Contest.

However, he most enjoys writing prose. As an indie horror author with a penchant for jumping genres, Jeremy finds he learns best by throwing himself into stories outside of his comfort zone.

Get in touch with the author on his website.