The Outhouse - The Greatest Comic Book Forum

by **LOLtron** » Wed Aug 03, 2011 11:56 am

Eli Katz discusses and links to some of the best short fiction available for free on the Web. This week's pick: Henry Slesar's "Examination Day."

Henry Slesar was a novelist, screenwriter, playwright, and prolific short-story writer. He wrote for Alfred Hitchcock Presents, The Twilight Zone, and the long-running soap opera The Edge of Night. Incredibly versatile, Slesar worked in every medium and published stories in just about every genre, including fantasy, mystery, and romance. I don't know much else about Slesar. But I consider him one of the great pulp writers, and place him alongside giants like Ira Levin and Harlan Ellison.

Slesar's most famous short story, "Examination Day," was published in Playboy in 1958. An instant classic, it was eventually turned into an episode for the 1985 revival of The Twilight Zone. Most people familiar with the story, however, probably remember reading it in a high school English class. It has been anthologized many times, and has often been included in school curriculums. Much like "The Monkey's Paw," "The Most Dangerous Game," and all those other great stories that grade 8 students are made to read, it has a dark setting, a cool premise and, of course, an unforgettable ending. If you haven't read "Examination Day" before, you're in for a real treat.

Enjoy!

(Below is a photo of the late Mr. Slesar, who passed away in 2002 in his hometown, New York City. He was 74.)

Written or Contributed by: Eli Katz

http://173.199.169.70/index.php/columns/short-fast-and-free/15050-the-ultimate-twist-endling.html/

by **Schlemmer** » Wed Aug 03, 2011 12:02 pm

Awesome, thanks Eli!

by **Kolimar** » Wed Aug 03, 2011 5:22 pm

It's a cool story. It was also interesting to read the replies. Ignorant trolls are everywhere. :smt011

by **Log-Man** » Wed Aug 03, 2011 7:04 pm

Great selection. I can't believe I've never read that one as it ties in with my tastes perfectly.

The comments there are dispiriting, though.

by **Eli Katz** » Wed Aug 03, 2011 9:17 pm

You guys interested in more such stories?

by **S.F. Jude Terror** » Wed Aug 03, 2011 9:45 pm

It's sad that these kinds of themes are more relevant today than ever before. It's barely fiction.

by **Eli Katz** » Wed Aug 03, 2011 9:51 pm

S.F. Jude Terror wrote:It's sad that these kinds of themes are more relevant today than ever before. It's barely fiction.

The Outhouse Cult is not just a priority, but also a necessity.

by **Log-Man** » Wed Aug 03, 2011 10:48 pm

Eli Katz wrote:You guys interested in more such stories?

Definitely. Reminded me of another favorite, Charles Beaumont.

by **Potter Who** » Wed Aug 03, 2011 11:08 pm

Interesting. A representative sample, stylistically, of Cold War dystopian literature. I'm digging the idea of this as a series, although I'm not quite sure what sorta discussion these things would produce. Maybe we can think of giving this series some type of hook to encourage participation beyond simply turning everytihng into a political debate.