Dimension

I found Alice Munro's short story Dimension difficult to get through. I wasn't crazy about the style the author wrote it in. It also seemed to read really slowly and I just had a horrible time getting through it. In fact, I got so frustrated with it at one point that, with only five pages to go, I had to set it down for the rest of the day and come back to finish it later. It's a good thing I came back too, because once I hit the last three pages it actually began to pick up. 

I'm not sure what I found so difficult about the story. I think it was probably the characters. I don't know what to think about Doree. I feel sympathy toward her of course. How could you not? But at a certain point, I just have to say enough is enough. She's letting her husband Lloyd continue to manipulate, while he's in prison. It's hard to imagine someone having so strong of a hold on me that, even while they aren't a part of my daily life, they can control most of what I say and do. 

As for Lloyd, I feel no sympathy for him at all. And I'm a little frustrated that Munro didn't give an explanation for his being found criminally insane. Yes his character was a little off, but criminally insane? I'm not sure I'd believe that. He should be tried, take full responsibility for his actions and face the consequence. After his being put in prison, what really irritated me about him was the mixed messages he was purposefully sending to Doree. When she would come to visit him he would tell her that he didn't expect her to keep visiting him, that he could understand completely if she didn't come. And then, he proceeds to send her letters, sharing just enough information with her to come and see him again. To ask him about his letters in person. I can't believe the grip he as on Doree after what he did to her. 

Another part of the story that kind of irritated me was at the very end of the story. When Doree and the bus driver see the boy drive his truck into the ditch and fly out of the cab of the truck. I couldn't understand the drivers anger at the boy, who was lying close to death on the road. And then after Doree helped save his life, the driver immediately wanted to leave, to get back on schedule. How hard it is to wait for an emergency vehicle to get there and ensure the boys life? That really angered me.