A short story published for the 70th birthday of Ian McEwan. A story about two friends that become authors, one more successful than the other. And a kind of revenge but with so little guilt that it doesn’t even seem like revenge. It feels more like putting their lives back to what they should be. It is tough to hate the guy who takes his revenge and as difficult to love the one who sees his career destroyed. Quite confusing feelings. Fun and imaginative story.
“His rise coincided with, though did not cause, my decline. Then is descent was my earthly triumph. I don’t deny there was wrongdoing. I stole a life, and I don’t intend to give it back.”