How to Bury the Pets a comedy by the Podplay The Podplay

well written, well acted -- that carries an important message

From Atticus’ Attic the fiction podplay review site: The Premise: The story follows the intersecting lives of Dan and Miles at the front counter of a pet store. Dan, a self-absorbed middle-aged white man in suburbia, is trying desperately to avoid dealing with his impending divorce. Miles is the black clerk at the store navigating his own family and social stressors. The story deals with themes of race, opportunity, and how we respond to challenges in life.
My Review: I am a sucker for short, self-contained fiction. I have spent a large part of my life writing short stories, and so I can appreciate the unique requirements of short fiction. How to Bury the Pets works within those bounds well and tells a very interesting story. It is a realistic fiction podcast, with some humorous moments throughout. However, it also deals with some major themes that are worth extra thought even after the story ends. It begins in the midst of suburbia, wanders through rodent genocide, and winds up with some poignant thoughts about race.
The thing I most enjoyed about this story overall was how well contrasted the two characters are throughout. They share some commonalities, but their responses to the situations they face are opposed. They work as excellent foils to one another, and I think there are some beautifully crafted parallels that serve to set in stark contrast their responses to the situations they face. The characters are both very well-developed with their own internal motivations that are woven throughout the narrative. I was impressed by how often their unique characteristics are demonstrated throughout the story in big and small ways, showcasing a consistency of character development that is impressive. I’d love to say more about this, but I don’t want to give anything away.
These contrasts in the characters also serve to propel the underlying message regarding racism. The story directly addresses some covert and overt forms of racism that exist, while also portraying the inequalities that are present for many people on a daily basis. The way assumptions are presented and undermined throughout helps to shine a light on how damaging everyday discrimination can be. It confronts white discomfort and demonstrates how many people have no idea what different challenges may be faced by people of color.
In addition, the voice acting is incredibly well done. There is brief narration throughout, typically in a rather flat tone, that serves to set the scene and provide important context. Dan and Miles really come alive in the story through their voice actors. There are very emotional moments that are delivered with perfection. I feel like I had a very clear mental picture of these moments throughout, and they were vivid in their depiction. The voice acting provided a life to the story that brings it beyond the realm of fiction and into the real world we all share.
Overall, this was a very enjoyable, thought provoking listen. There were moments of humor, there were times I cringed, and there were plenty of moments that highlighted the role of race in everyday interactions. It is well written, well acted, and a great example of short fiction that carries an important message.