Love this so much. There’s a fragment in @<Mary L. Tabor>'s "Sine Die" that will haunt me forever:
“My sickness is like an affair. It seduces me to live...”
That’s the territory she writes from—the unstable, intimate space where memory, desire, and grief begin to blur, and where the stories we tell ourselves become the only way through.
This piece is mesmerizing… layered, precise, and quietly devastating in the way the best literary fiction is. It doesn’t announce itself. It unfolds, and then lingers.
Grateful to Sam Kahn for recognizing and publishing work like this at The Republic of Letters—it’s exactly the kind of writing that reminds you what the form can still do. Don’t miss it.
And if you find yourself pulled into Mary’s world (you will), WHO BY FIRE carries that same emotional intelligence and depth across the long form—very much worth seeking out.
Alisa, I am so moved by what you said here about my work and again, gratitude to Sam Kahn for recognizing that the story couldn't be excerpted but needed to be published in its whole.
Mary, you never cease to leave me in a state of open mouthed amazement! I am beginning to think, no, no, actually I know! You are uncontrollably brilliant! You work the complications of geometry into a story of secrets and sibling love with such elegance and ease... wow!
Thank you so much for sharing, I loved every word!
I read so little of what comes through my email these days, but I read this. I read all of this. Two sisters pretending pulled me in but I knew it really had legs when I saw the geometry. An excellent piece, Mary!
I love this piece. I'll read it over and over! ... more thoughts later. As those lawyers in courtrooms say, we'll have to adjourn this matter sini die ...
Tremendous. For me, it recalls Kundera's THE UNBEARABLE LIGHTNESS OF BEING in how it lays out a premise (philosophical/mathematical) and then tells a story that somehow makes that premise, otherwise cold, seem heartbreaking.
Oh, John Julius Reel, to be compared to the brilliant, incomparable Kundera is honor indeed! My heart to yours for taking the time to offer this kindness and generosity!
With gratitude for publishing 💕!
I’ll add my thanks to both of you❤️
Oh, Andy, making my day!
Love this so much. There’s a fragment in @<Mary L. Tabor>'s "Sine Die" that will haunt me forever:
“My sickness is like an affair. It seduces me to live...”
That’s the territory she writes from—the unstable, intimate space where memory, desire, and grief begin to blur, and where the stories we tell ourselves become the only way through.
This piece is mesmerizing… layered, precise, and quietly devastating in the way the best literary fiction is. It doesn’t announce itself. It unfolds, and then lingers.
Grateful to Sam Kahn for recognizing and publishing work like this at The Republic of Letters—it’s exactly the kind of writing that reminds you what the form can still do. Don’t miss it.
And if you find yourself pulled into Mary’s world (you will), WHO BY FIRE carries that same emotional intelligence and depth across the long form—very much worth seeking out.
Alisa, I am so moved by what you said here about my work and again, gratitude to Sam Kahn for recognizing that the story couldn't be excerpted but needed to be published in its whole.
‘My sickness is like an affair. It seduces me to live.’
Those lines will stay with me too.
Mary, this is so excellent, I have to tell the world, or Substack, anyway.
Jay, a restack might help! In any case, deep thanks. 💝
You got it, my dear.
What a powerful story!
My heartfelt thanks, Kabir Altaf.
What an amazing story, Mary; and you are amazing. I just love how you've written this. Thank you for allowing it to appear here.
With gratitude to you and this site, Maureen! Heart swells ...
Mary, you never cease to leave me in a state of open mouthed amazement! I am beginning to think, no, no, actually I know! You are uncontrollably brilliant! You work the complications of geometry into a story of secrets and sibling love with such elegance and ease... wow!
Thank you so much for sharing, I loved every word!
Oh, Susie, what reader you are: generous and good-hearted!
Short stories don’t do well on Substack? Maybe that depends on how good those stories are ?!
And I thought your story here was very good indeed, Mary ………
……. the haunting narrative and the way you have added further depth and meaning by weaving in those geometrical interpretations.
I loved it!
Ah, lovely Kay, I must say that this comment and your generous review on Amazon of _Who By Fire_ give me courage and hope!
Lovely Mary.
May you never be short of courage and hope.
May both forever be your faithful companions.
Raw and hauntingly. You make grief and identity and self-deception all intelligent while all three strike us in the gut.
Wow, what a grand comment, Mike. Heartfelt thanks!
I read so little of what comes through my email these days, but I read this. I read all of this. Two sisters pretending pulled me in but I knew it really had legs when I saw the geometry. An excellent piece, Mary!
Ah, Jan, Means so much that read it all and gave it your nod here! xx
I love this piece. I'll read it over and over! ... more thoughts later. As those lawyers in courtrooms say, we'll have to adjourn this matter sini die ...
Mark, Can't wait to here more from you sine die ...
Taut and mesmerizing. When I saw that it was long, with a nod to trigonometry, I almost moved on, but it would not let go.
Now that's grand, Rona. So appreciative on this end that you held on.
And I rarely read fiction on Substack. This was a real beauty.
Talk about making my day, Rona.
Tremendous. For me, it recalls Kundera's THE UNBEARABLE LIGHTNESS OF BEING in how it lays out a premise (philosophical/mathematical) and then tells a story that somehow makes that premise, otherwise cold, seem heartbreaking.
Oh, John Julius Reel, to be compared to the brilliant, incomparable Kundera is honor indeed! My heart to yours for taking the time to offer this kindness and generosity!