"Short Story Sunday": The Stone Boy by Gina Berriault (Short Story Review)

Synopsis:


A nine-year old navigates the grief of having shot his brother. 


Categorical Rankings (/⭐️⭐️⭐️):


-Pacing ⭐️⭐️⭐️: Super short read; the plot points are engaging throughout. 


-Theme ⭐️⭐️⭐️: The complex relationship between Arnold and Eugie surfaces themes related to individuality and identity. 


-Overall enjoyment ⭐️⭐️: The ending struck me as inconclusive, which I didn’t love. 


Story Insights (spoilers):


The title of the story made me think that Eugie was plotting against his brother all along, a judgment that mirrors that of the people around him. I mean, why didn’t he rush to tell his parents what he’d done? 


Yet, I don’t see him as a monster or soulless character, but just a confused boy. I don’t believe his immediate action serves as a direct indicator of his feelings toward his brother; it was how he processed his shock.


People have different ways of experiencing grief, and The Stone Boy highlights this from the perspective of a child who, even though some may perceive him as coldhearted, might become so due to the lack of support around him. He’ll be a product of his environment. 

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