“The Chaser” by John Collier is a short story teaching a lesson on why you need to find “true love” in someone. You cannot make someone love you, no matter how hard you try. Austen Alan went to see a man in search of a love potion. It was a very “sketchy” setting. A woman named Diana did not love Austen and he wanted her to. He got to the neighborhood of Pell Street, which is where an old man lived that made “potions.” Once inside Austen was a bit uneasy, he just wanted to get the potion and get out. The two began talking and the old man said that the love potion was only one dollar. The old man also had a “liquid colorless as water, almost tasteless, imperceptible to any known method of autopsy,” in other words he had a poison. However, this poison cost five thousand dollars. The old man continuously hinted that the woman would become obsessed and he would want the poison in the future after he saved up the money to pay for it and to kill her.
“The Chaser” is a great short story because it includes a lot of detail of the people and places. The descriptiveness really helps set the mood for the short story which is very “spooky” and mysterious. It also helps you get a picture of the people and places. If you can picture the people and places it makes the story that much better.
I like that this story includes the cliff hanger, but also gives you hints as to what exactly is going to happen. I think if this story were to continue any longer it would just be drug on. Another positive thing about this story is that it just pulls you in. You really have to think about what the old man is implying and put all the little pieces together, its not just clear to the naked eye; you have to think about it
You're completely right. It's a great story, and I like how you summed it up.
ReplyDeleteThis is a great review of "The Chaser". I agree with you that the story gives a good sense of people and places. Overall "The Chaser" was a good read.
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