"Dog Eat Dog" by Joy Meehan

Discuss the May 2015 book of the month, Holding Fire.
User avatar
bookowlie
Special Discussion Leader
Posts: 9071
Joined: 25 Oct 2014, 09:52
Favorite Book: The Lost Continent
Currently Reading: The Night She Went Missing
Bookshelf Size: 442
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-bookowlie.html
Latest Review: To Paint A Murder by E. J. Gandolfo

Re: "Dog Eat Dog" by Joy Meehan

Post by bookowlie »

Lovejoybr - Thanks for the additional information. I always enjoy reading about the "story behind the story". I didn't find Pam overly sympathetic. She was a realistic character who was ambitious and self-centered.
"The best way out is always through" - Robert Frost
User avatar
lovejoybr
Posts: 8
Joined: 02 Jan 2015, 18:51
Bookshelf Size: 1

Post by lovejoybr »

Thank you again for all these positive comments about my story. Y'all make my heart sing!!!

So, in this story, Pam represents anger and hate - that much is obvious. Taking from the quote "the greatest of these is love", I thought the best way to fight anger and hate was with love. So, when choosing the names of Pam's team, I made sure that the first letter of their names, as well as the order in which their names appear in the story, spell L-O-V-E: (Louise, Odelia, Victor and Elaine).

And, love is what wins in the end.
zeldas_lullaby
Posts: 5980
Joined: 27 Mar 2013, 20:01
Favorite Author: ---------
Favorite Book: <a href="http://forums.onlinebookclub.org/shelve ... =3452">The Thorn Birds</a>
Currently Reading: The Last Stonestepper
Bookshelf Size: 79
Signature Addition: View official OnlineBookClub.org review of Forever Twelve

Post by zeldas_lullaby »

OMG. I NEVER would have figured that out! But I love it!

:-) :-) :-)
User avatar
lovejoybr
Posts: 8
Joined: 02 Jan 2015, 18:51
Bookshelf Size: 1

Post by lovejoybr »

zeldas_lullaby wrote:OMG. I NEVER would have figured that out! But I love it!

:-) :-) :-)
Thank you!! :D
User avatar
Momlovesbooks
Previous Member of the Month
Posts: 328
Joined: 13 Apr 2015, 12:49
Currently Reading: A Book for Oreo
Bookshelf Size: 253
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-momlovesbooks.html
Latest Review: Winter's Kiss by H.L. Hines

Post by Momlovesbooks »

All I can say is "wow"! The author chose an unexpected setting for her theme of hate and revenge. I think many of us have been in similar situations with a tyrannical boss, or co-worker that seems to be determined to make everyone's job a living nightmare. I was surprised by Elaine's role in the drama. While she did get revenge for her work team, she was also there under false pretenses and wasn't a pure heroine.
zeldas_lullaby
Posts: 5980
Joined: 27 Mar 2013, 20:01
Favorite Author: ---------
Favorite Book: <a href="http://forums.onlinebookclub.org/shelve ... =3452">The Thorn Birds</a>
Currently Reading: The Last Stonestepper
Bookshelf Size: 79
Signature Addition: View official OnlineBookClub.org review of Forever Twelve

Post by zeldas_lullaby »

You're welcome!

:-)
User avatar
michelewhite0068
Posts: 48
Joined: 25 Jan 2015, 11:21
Favorite Author: Robert McCammon
Favorite Book: <a href="http://forums.onlinebookclub.org/shelve ... 88">Doctor Sleep</a>
Currently Reading: 11.22.63
Bookshelf Size: 117
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-michelewhite0068.html
fav_author_id: 2690

Post by michelewhite0068 »

I really enjoyed this story, the second in "Holding Fire." I really loved the idea of Pam. It is interesting that the author decided to give such a sympathic, but realistic background for Pam so that you could see where she was coming from. I thought the writing delivered a kind of one-two punch. The rise of a character and the inevitable fall of that same character is intriguing reading. Great revenge story. Maybe others would feel sorry for the character, but I loved every minute of it and I did not feel an ounce of sympathy for that character. :!: :!: :o
A book is a gift you can open again and again--anonymous
User avatar
avid reader28
Posts: 109
Joined: 10 May 2015, 21:29
Bookshelf Size: 65
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-avid-reader28.html

Post by avid reader28 »

Well, it was a fun ride for me.
I agree with you the story throw you off balance in a good way, it keeps your attention until the end .
User avatar
bluemel4
Previous Member of the Month
Posts: 5222
Joined: 01 Mar 2015, 14:43
Favorite Author: Anne Bishop
Currently Reading: The Dark Tower, Books 1-3
Bookshelf Size: 466
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-bluemel4.html
Latest Review: "Severed Threads" by Kaylin McFarren
Reading Device: B00JG8GOWU
fav_author_id: 6086

Post by bluemel4 »

I had traumatizing images of previous corporate jobs while reading this short story. I had a boss like Pam and man do I wish I could have done what Elaine was able to do to Pam. I enjoyed the story and told from both perspectives. I did not find Pam more sympathetic after learning her back story, but I did understand her more, which did add an additional layer to the overall story.
"Life is a journey, not a destination" --Ralph Waldo Emerson
Latest Review: "Severed Threads" by Kaylin McFarren
User avatar
calfurshoney
Posts: 22
Joined: 27 Sep 2014, 18:34
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 8
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-calfurshoney.html

Post by calfurshoney »

Interesting story. I enjoyed the characters. Pam was awesome at being Bad! Wanted to read more about Pam! Wanted the story to go one longer! Was there any hope for Pam? Elaine jumped the gun too early for me. Again, the story made me want more! It was a short story! Great job Joy!
User avatar
lovejoybr
Posts: 8
Joined: 02 Jan 2015, 18:51
Bookshelf Size: 1

Post by lovejoybr »

Thanks all! I'm glad you could all relate. The characters and situation became real in my head and getting them on paper was liberating.
zeldas_lullaby
Posts: 5980
Joined: 27 Mar 2013, 20:01
Favorite Author: ---------
Favorite Book: <a href="http://forums.onlinebookclub.org/shelve ... =3452">The Thorn Birds</a>
Currently Reading: The Last Stonestepper
Bookshelf Size: 79
Signature Addition: View official OnlineBookClub.org review of Forever Twelve

Post by zeldas_lullaby »

It's amazing how many of us can relate to this one!!
User avatar
castor
Posts: 186
Joined: 13 Sep 2013, 02:13
Favorite Author: G.G. Marquez
Favorite Book: One Hundred Years of Solitude
Currently Reading: The Palace of Dreams
Bookshelf Size: 107
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-castor.html
Latest Review: "Dangerous Obsessions" by Bob Van Laerhoven
Reading Device: B002R5UYXY

Post by castor »

Overall it is a good story. You don't find easily stories that take place in an work environment and I find it interesting. I agree that the author has a good writing style, very descriptive and humorous.
What i did not like is the use of Elaine's boyfriend as a deus ex machina. He is not part of the story or the office and he calls the boss at one o'clock in the morning. I would prefer a more "collective victory" from Louise, Odelia, Victor and Elaine (LOVE). This would give more power to the symbolism (Love wins over anger and hate)
Latest Review: "Dangerous Obsessions" by Bob Van Laerhoven
User avatar
zanderlyrose
Posts: 74
Joined: 31 May 2015, 17:31
Bookshelf Size: 20
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-zanderlyrose.html
Latest Review: "Sweet Sleep" by Kim Cormack
Reading Device: B00BWYQ9YE

Post by zanderlyrose »

I think this was an amazing example of the theme holding fire. Pam definitely hurt herself by her actions.
Latest Review: "Sweet Sleep" by Kim Cormack
TrishaAnn92
Previous Member of the Month
Posts: 3986
Joined: 20 Oct 2013, 15:59
Favorite Book: <a href="http://forums.onlinebookclub.org/shelve ... =2595">The Messenger (2)</a>
Currently Reading: A Game of Thrones
Bookshelf Size: 192
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-trishaann92.html
Latest Review: Superhighway by Alex Fayman
Reading Device: B00JG8GOWU
Publishing Contest Votes: 20

Post by TrishaAnn92 »

This one was another favorite. It was witty and I really liked that we got both perspectives of Elaine and Pam. I agree with zeldas_lullaby, the description of Pam was great and very much spot on with how she was perceived.

I am curious also. I didn't pick up on any symbolism in the characters names.
Post Reply

Return to “"Holding Fire: Short Stories of Self-Destruction"”