Only An Only Child: Stories

Abstract

Only An Only Child is a collection of eleven short stories that examines masculinity in predominantly rural settings, emphasizing complex familial and romantic relationships. These stories respond to – and in certain respects, challenge – twentieth century narratives of masculinity by highly-acclaimed, male writers. They depict some of the same emotions and insecurities I have experienced in life, though in no way are they autobiographical. The collection chronologically charts masculine experience, with the protagonists’ ages ranging from four to seventy-five. Almost all the protagonists are of relatively privileged backgrounds, but despite this privilege, they are unable to live up to longstanding masculine “ideals.” Though present in the collection, there is less emphasis on toxic masculinity than there is on “afraid,” “confused,” and “passive” masculinity. While drawing inspiration from writers like Ernest Hemingway, John Updike, Philip Roth, and especially Guy Vanderhaeghe, Only An Only Child forges its own singular path.