Last Shot

Last Shot: A Short Tale of the Absurdity of Life and Death is a contemporary fiction short story written by Justine Avery. Bernard was a precise and orderly man who was sick and tired of the world. He felt unappreciated and scorned by people who were not fit to be considered his peers. He finally came to the conclusion that the solution would be a precise and orderly suicide. It would be a simple thing to accomplish once he had researched his method and quantified the ingredients that would go into the alcohol and drug cocktail that would usher him into his long-deserved peace. He measured out his beloved vodka, organized the capsules, caplets and tablets into an aesthetically pleasing design, and set out to engineer his death. After consuming the alcohol and pills, he left his kitchen for the last time and, entering the bedroom, lay down upon his bed which had been made with military precision. This was the way he would go out of this existence, with precision and deliberation.

Justine Avery’s darkly comedic short story, Last Shot: A Short Tale of the Absurdity of Life and Death, grabs the reader’s attention with the first lines as Bernard revels in his grotesque enjoyment of his premeditated demise. This is a taut and well-written story that transports you into the mind of this bitter and disillusioned man, and you can’t help but chuckle at the ineptness of Bernard’s efforts to be the master of his fate. But, as you suppress that uncharitable snicker, there’s a deeply uncomfortable feeling that remains; a sense that something’s seriously wrong in this world Bernard inhabits that he should have gotten so deeply led astray, and it makes you pause and think. And that’s the hallmark of a powerful and compelling short story. Last Shot is highly recommended.

I very much enjoyed all of this author's books ... she's a master of grabbing the reader and pulling them into the story.  I enjoyed Last Shot the best.  Bernard reminded me of my ex-husband: I'm the best and nobody gets it.  Funny but also disturbing.

Really enjoyable short story. Pace and style of the early Stephen King shorts with dark humour and strong observational narrative to link back to everyday life. Read it and you'll see what I mean.

Breathtaking

Um, I'm kind of speechless right now. The whole book was a fun roller-coaster of emotions, it was funny, sad, ironic, and everything in between. The ending was crafted in an unpredictably predictable way that just made it all the most fun. In the end, despite the dark topic this book revolved around, reading it was just that: fun. Loved every moment of it.

Great read!!!

First off, great title. I think it does much to express the fantastical absurdity of the piece as well as the protagonist Bernard. The work goes through the many trials and tribulations of Bernard as he tries to commit suicide. At first, like many of the others I see in the comments section here, I disliked Bernard at first. I found him to have a bit of a God-complex. However, as I continued to read, I discovered that there was more to him than initially assumed. As far as language, the writer has a gift for blending the concise with the poetic. I found her prose enticing within itself and continued reading on that alone before growing attached to Bernard and his trials. Overall, very good read. Would recommend.

Not What I Expected!

When I purchased this short story I wasn't sure what I was getting in to, and I was pleasantly surprised!

Most of the time when it comes to short stories I have a hard time feeling like I know the character at all, but that was not the case this time around. Bernard, our main character here, is struggling with some obvious mental health issues and his struggle was obvious. Being on his journey through several failed suicide attempts felt legitimate and also made me sad for him. I think there were a few times I even questioned if he may have something like bipolar disorder. I was not at all prepared for the ending either! Quite a twist. I will definitely be reading more from Justine Avery!

A quick read, yes, but also a very good one. The Last Shot is the story of a man who has lived his life exactly how he wants, with impeccable perfection, yet without recognition or reward that he felt he deserved. When he decides to end it all, exactly how he wants, the universe has another idea. Ironic, well-written, wonderful flow, and thought-provoking. Definitely recommend it!

Loved It!

This book was amazing. The amount of intelligent linguistic phrases turn this novel into a thoroughly entertaining read. I love the way she writes, with such fluidity. A fluidity only broken up by the constant plot twists and ever-changing scenarios. These sometimes frustrating plot twists sometimes catch me wanting Bernard to go through with what he thought was right, because I wanted him to stop suffering.

So Good I wanted More....

This was a good, quick read. It starts right at the action - no chaser. As the story continued, I found myself wanting to know more about the character and how he ended here at this point making this decision. I am sure everyone fells like this at some point, but what really drove him to this actual point.

Also as the story continued, I realized the character would not make a clean break from life to death. His persistence should be commended but rarely does things end up the way we want them. His life was picture perfect in that analogy.

All in all, this was a great read that let me wanting more to the story.

This isn't my first time reading from this author, but i'm always delightfully surprised. I can always relate to the characters and they just come to life.

This isn't the sort of short story I'd usually be drawn to. The writing was superb and the author's imagery created an environment that was rich with description. The story itself and subject matter was a bit biting in contrast. Like the rest of the author's work, its complete with unexpected twists and an air of mystery so I was in no way disappointed. The story revolves around the main character, Bernard, as he struggles with an obvious case of obsession and low self esteem despite his self-perceived successes. He's unappreciated and missing respect and the notoriety that he feels he deserves. He decides to take his own life as a metaphorical kiss-off to the word so everyone will finally know what they've failed to see and acknowledge. Author Justine Avery takes a very dark concept and delivers it with a sense of black comedy that I was not expecting, but very much appreciated. If you like short tales with a twist, you'll love "Last Shot: (a Short Tale of the Absurdity of Life and Death)" by Justine Avery.

Bernard is hellbent on success. He's never felt the sting of failure. Bernard is…. angry. Why? Because no one respects him or recognizes his accomplishments. He's at his limit and decided that today's the day he peaks. He culminates in an act to confirm his perfection and make sure everyone around him is sorry that he's gone and finally understand how important he was in his inevitable absence. "Last Shot" by Justine Avery is a superbly written short novella that will leave you speechless with it's dark humor, twisting tale and shocking surprises. I loved this story and will be looking forward to reading more from this author.

What a great experience it is to discover a new voice! This was my first read of Justine Avery and I'm thrilled that she has other titles available. Read 'Last Shot' and you'll carry Bernard with you for the foreseeable future. A wonderful read.

Concise and powerful!

In this short story, the author describes the life of a man whose strivings go unnoticed. After years of not being appreciated, Bernard finally makes a selfish decision. This short tale reveals how meaningless life is without acceptance. Within the pages of this piece is an invaluable moral. We all have experienced the way it feels to plead for attention and not receive the recognition that is necessary to fuel our self-esteem. Finally, the main character understands that life’s major celebrations do not come in the form of accolades or compliments but having appreciation for the life that is simply given.

Masterfully this was written. Within the content of very few pages, one’s life can change. The understanding that life is to be celebrated by everyone dwelling this earth despite whoever joins in on your party is key to experiencing joy. Justine Avery captures the life of the character with gripping familiarity. Easily the audience can understand the character’s circumstance and identify with the struggle which is all too common. If you are ready for an exciting read that will prompt introspection, check this book out!

This was a short but captivating read. The author managed to create a story that revolves around death without an extremely somber tone but was rather light and with a bit of dark humor. It was not overly wordy, but described pertinent information in the perfect amount of detail. While illustrating an angry man with unrequited narcissism, I was compelled to empathize rather than judge. This was the first book I've read by Justine Avery, but I am very inclined to seek out more.

PLOT TWIST....I was not expecting that!

This short story was a great read. I don't want to spoil the book for someone who looks forward to reading it, but just know, the book is awesome. If you are into the thriller/mystery genre, you will LOVE this story. Once I started reading, I couldn't stop. Bernard was meticulous in every aspect of his life. Such carefully thought out plans - with the hopes for the perfect execution. I needed to know what Bernard was going to attempt next. This story kept me intrigued from the first "failed attempt". The story was so detailed, I painted pictures in my mind - it felt like I was watching a movie. The ending?? PLOT TWIST....I was not expecting that! To find out what happened, give this book a try!

Dark and Dramatic

I found ‘Last Shot’ too dark and depressing for my taste. At 67 years of age it is beneficial to keep my preverbal glass half full at all times. I do have to admit that the author’s masterful intense description of the situation was too believable and quickly pulled me into the head of this subject making me very uncomfortable. This was a rough walk in someone else's shoes. I am thankful that I have never suffered from the depression that so many of my peers struggle with on a daily bases.

Last Shot chronicles the unintentionally prolonged suicide attempt of a man named Bernard, just as the summary said, but it is surprisingly creative for its subject and its length. There's a sort of dark humor about the whole incident, for one thing, a sort of morbid slapstick wherein a man's careful plans (for suicide) steadily fall apart and he...well, he remains alive and unhurt. Bernard is an incredibly arrogant and incredibly lonely human being, and those two traits are clearly intertwined, one way or the other, as becomes clear during the short story's climax-- which is strangely heartrending in its banal madness. There is a lot of very modern pain in Bernard's plight and the ending fits, even if it isn't satisfying in a conventional manner.

The story develops layers of emotion and connects the reader strongly to the character. In a very short period, feelings undulate from sorrow to anger and relief to grief.

Last shot is a peak into the mind of a troubled man with a desire to free himself from the physical world. Bernard's meticulous planning and preparation for his own self-inflicted death oddly provided more him more enjoyment than his daily existence. However, his failed attempts reveal the stark pain in his life. Life's unrelenting grasp almost mocks his efforts. Bernard seeks to affect his own fate and yet is constantly shown his lack of control. If clarity is ever managed in life, it is not guaranteed for long.

Wow, I Wasn't Expecting That!

Without knowing anything about Bernard we are immediately immersed in his world of self-destruction, and his attempt at suicide. Why? We don't know, and it's slightly frustrating and yet humorous at the same time. Although we do not know the backstory around this character, I was immediately hooked. This book is a fast read with a sharp twist, and a thought-provoking moral to it.

For me, a five star book must hit a range of emotions. While this novella didn't elicit strong emotions, making me cry or laugh out loud, it was nevertheless a gripping read that I do recommend.

This was a great, short read. I was drawn in from the very first line. The story seems to absorb you and keep you guessing. The author uses a little dark humor and irony that you can not help but enjoy. While following the main character Bernard, through failed suicide attempts, I found myself smiling at the amusing reasons things went wrong for him. From beginning to end Benard's luck, or lack there of, remains. This is truly an excellently written novella.

Last Shot was a very interesting, thought provoking read. I have never personally read anything like it. Since the story is about a man trying to commit suicide, it makes you think about your own internal happiness and struggles and whether you could ever relate to Bernard. The story takes you on an emotional journey with Bernard, even though the story is very short, which is quite an accomplishment!

Very good book. Loved to read about Bernard's struggle. You are able to really connect with his story. Lots of plot twists. The dark humor was great. Defiantly a page turner. Lots of little details and great writing. Can't wait to read more of Justine Avery's book, I'm hooked now!

As usual a very good story, although a sad subject there was also humour.

Justine Avery has remarkable insight into human nature. Last Shot is a compelling study of what happens when the human mind is possessed by feelings of alienation and lack of appreciation. Her character, Bernard, is a case in point. To top it off, he is a perfectionist. But his perfection goes haywire -- it turns toward self destruction and proving that his conclusions were right all along. But, surprise, surprise, as "perfect" and "right" as he is, he can't pull it off. I'll leave it to you to discover what "it" is and how "it" turns out in the end. It's a real doozie and a great read.

The Last Shot is a great read that keeps you wondering from page to page whether or not Bernard, the main character, will accomplish his gruesome goal. Most of us know someone with traits similar to Bernard which makes the story all the more interesting. The author's vivid descriptions, of even the minutest details, helps to place the reader in the scene with Bernard.

An extremely enjoyable read which had me gripped from the very beginning! Absolutely loved the book, suited my sense of humor right down to the ground and had me grinning at the tale of the poor guy all the way through. Seems a bit mean of me to enjoy his demise but what can I say, I did. Great descriptive tale that had you there alongside him throughout his tragic time. My only citicism, left me wanting more!

Poor Bernard....the world is against him and his job never gives him any accolades. There are no 'attaboys' anywhere in his life. He has the perfect solution for his meaningless life. Or, so he thinks!

Interesting development at the end of this one. I don't like saying 'Poor Bernard' again but it certainly fits this ending.

A wonderful short story. Truly imaginative and well crafted. Highly recommended.

A brilliant short story of one man's determined efforts to commit suicide. The subject matter may appear a little macabre but the writing is effortlessly descriptive and puts the reader right into Bernard's mind and before realising what's happening you're willing him to succeed in his mission.