Unconditional

by Blake Crouch

A father visits his son. They sit close together but are separated by so much—most tangibly, a Plexiglas window. In the wake of unimaginable events, the conversation that follows spirals toward a devastating revelation.

Genres: Horror, Fiction, Short Stories, Thriller, Audiobook, Mystery Thriller

10 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 26, 2011

About the author

Blake Crouch is a bestselling novelist and screenwriter. He is the author of the forthcoming novel, Dark Matter, for which he is writing the screenplay for Sony Pictures. His international-bestselling Wayward Pines trilogy was adapted into a television series for FOX, executive produced by M. Night Shyamalan, that was Summer 2015’s #1 show. With Chad Hodge, Crouch also created Good Behavior, the TNT television show starring Michelle Dockery based on his Letty Dobesh novellas. He has written more than a dozen novels that have been translated into over thirty languages and his short fiction has appeared in numerous publications including Ellery Queen and Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine. Crouch lives in Colorado with his family.

Reviews

[Matt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Told as a set of monologues between a father and son. Set against the backdrop of a father recollecting his son's growth and a young man reflecting back on a life he could not live. Crouch taps into the parental bone in those lucky enough to have children and the terror of seeing your child's life come to a premature end...though who is to be held accountable? Therein lies the rub!

Like/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/

[Marvin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always feel a little guilty adding these kindle short stories to my Goodreads list. It's a little like cheating, especially since this is only about 1,500 words, the equivalent of five pages. But here it is listed on Goodreads so..oh well...

But I do not feel guilty about reading it for this piece of short fiction is a little shocker packed with emotion. It starts simply and creeps up on you. This is my first read by Blake Crouch and it is a nice little teaser. I will be looking for more Blake Crouch books especially since this little story and quite a few other works by him are currently offered free at Amazon.

[Wesley · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars. Great short story. Audio book was under 10 minutes. Interesting meeting between a father and son just before the son on death row is to be excecuted.

[Carolyn F. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short story

Wow, I'm just wondering what happened to the mother and exactly what he did to the father. Very good story.

[Marc-Antoine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Touching, yet very sad.

[your morbid obsession · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an extremely short story, and I wish it had at least a few more pages to it, but in its own way it’s very meaningful. I decided to read this as a little intro to Blake Crouch and I have to say I’m pleased.

[Deborah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unconditional

Yes, the unconditional love of a parent for a child. I wonder if most children really know that. Mine do. Once again I love Blake Crouch's short story.

[Igor · Rating 3 out of 5]

it was too short

[saradevil · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you wonder why this particular fellow is such a good writer, here is a quick intro to help you understand.

[Sunpiper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartbreaking but real

Classic Blake Crouch. A great story about the live of a parent for his child. They will always be your future.

[Brandi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Loved! Just peeved its a short story. This would have been amazing for a novel. 3.5 stars

[Roschele · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not going anywhere.

A tale of a father and his son. A very short read yet it holds a lot within.

[Richard · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s ok, but too short to give it a higher score.

[Dewi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sesungguhnya perlu lebih dari satu kali untuk membaca cerpen ini. Panjangnya hanya 3 halaman. Namun saya merasa baru menemukan makna yang utuh setelah 5 kali baca. Baca pertama cepat-cepat, baca kedua, setelah baca ketiga kali saya menemukan petunjuk tersirat yang lain.
Saya pikir kunci dari cerpen ini ada di kalimat :
“In the same way, let’s forget all that’s happened in the past, and let me just be your Papa for the four and a half hours you have left to live”.

Ternyata saya salah, Crouch menyelipkan satu kejutan di akhir cerita dan satu kejutan lagi saya temukan setelah membaca untuk ketiga kalinya.

[Natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

"When you were a child, I didn't tell you about the evil in the world, all that lay in wait." You can bet that after reading Unconditional, I will warn my children about all of the evil in the world. I honestly cried after reading this story. (And I am a jaded horror reader)

I read this story in Cemetery Dance Magazine and I think it is definitely one of their best stories ever! Definitely one of my most favorite and remembered stories. Unconditional punched me in the gut and left a lump in my throat!

[Joe Hart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not gonna lie, as a writer I'm super jealous of this story. Crouch put into words thoughts that I've had for years and did it beautifully. Probably one of the most powerful short stories I've ever read. My hat is off.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

A "fly on the wall view" to a devastating conversation. So much emotion in 1500 words. Amazing.

[Scot · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although the story was very short (about 5 pages) it was a great insight into a relationship between a father and son. The surprise is the circumstances surrounding the conversation.

[Jayme · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW!!! Great short story. It is only about 8 pages but it is so thought provoking. I can't say much without ruining it as it is so short. However I will say, it is a must read.

[Tami · Rating 5 out of 5]

great s short story-but what do you expect from Blake crouch!!! a short story between a father and a son

[Matthew · Rating 5 out of 5]

No matter what you do, you're still loved.

[404 Not Found · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not going anywhere.

A tale of a father and his son. A very short read yet it holds a lot within.

[Arvetta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick read. Within this short read, you get a lot of shock.

[Jennifer · Rating 2 out of 5]

Took me 60 seconds to read, too short obviously. Not worth .99 cents, why isn't it free for an ereader?

[E. T. Brother · Rating 4 out of 5]

A pretty good read

[Lisa Stethem · Rating 3 out of 5]

I understand the reason but I don't believe it.

[Trinia · Rating 3 out of 5]

weird

I've enjoyed several of Blake Crouch's books. This short story left me wanting more details... Sad story but it left hanging.

[angie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Leaves me hungry!!!

A great little read, but what an awesome book this could be!!!
Blake!!! There's a story here waiting to be told and I want to read it!!

[Jim · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wasn't expecting the emotional pangs that went along with reading this short story. Some heavy, dark stuff here mixed with the deep feelings family can feel for one another. Bravo.

[dubier · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! Such an impact

This was an amazing read.... made me cry with less than a two page story, I loved it! Amazing the author is a great to impact the reader in such a way!