THE INFERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE
The adventures of a single mom with unreliable vehicles27 total reviews
Comment from fictionwriter
I laughed at this. You don't know how many times I've done exactly that. However, mine was one of the ones with the computer that ran it, and it would flash low on wiper fluid and completely shut down the whole car. Quite the adventures. Well done.
reply by the author on 29-Dec-2012
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I laughed at this. You don't know how many times I've done exactly that. However, mine was one of the ones with the computer that ran it, and it would flash low on wiper fluid and completely shut down the whole car. Quite the adventures. Well done.
Comment Written 29-Dec-2012
reply by the author on 29-Dec-2012
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Cars old or new always find new ways to torment us. I was plagued by these old beast for many years, mostly when my kids were small. For some years now I have managed to have late model vehicles and not a lemon among them so far,
I'm glad you enjoyed this bit of satire.
Comment from Sandra Stoner-Mitchell
That was so funny, if it wasn't so awful for you! I know what you mean about unscrupulous machanics, they are everywhere!! Did you leave you ex carless? Or is he driving around in a nice new one! I am glad you have got another newer car!
reply by the author on 29-Dec-2012
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That was so funny, if it wasn't so awful for you! I know what you mean about unscrupulous machanics, they are everywhere!! Did you leave you ex carless? Or is he driving around in a nice new one! I am glad you have got another newer car!
Comment Written 29-Dec-2012
reply by the author on 29-Dec-2012
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No, he got the good transportation and left me with the unreliable one, but even when we were married I still got the fuzzy end of the lollipop when it came to the vehicles. I was used to it, so I guess he felt I was better equipped to deal with the challenges.
I'm happy you liked the piece.
Comment from Dan Diego
Marisa3, you are writing a lot lately, much to the benefit of FS readers and reviewers.
I like the play on words in the title "Infernal." Pops used to refer to the IRS as the Infernal Revenue Service. Your title makes a promise to the reader.
Categorized as Satire and non-fiction, this article opens with a great correlation between living in projects and driving them. Great satire that paints a vivid image. Plants the hook.
You follow with a relatable cliche (America's love of the automobile) and bolster the paragraph with a personal (and relatable) account of your automobile experiences.
Providing an example in the third paragraph adds an essay feel to the article. And then you pour on the satire with a "queen mary" comparison and more vivid imagery.
I think I've noted in previous review how much I like your word choices and sensibilities.
The remainder of the article adds a personal touch to the hardships of owning these Detroit lemons.
The storyline (for me) is really a single mom's struggle with something that is really supposed to be easy and reliable. I see the car as a prop.
This article has legs and perhaps a place outside of FS. It is well-written, error-free and flows to the very end.
Loved it!
reply by the author on 29-Dec-2012
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Marisa3, you are writing a lot lately, much to the benefit of FS readers and reviewers.
I like the play on words in the title "Infernal." Pops used to refer to the IRS as the Infernal Revenue Service. Your title makes a promise to the reader.
Categorized as Satire and non-fiction, this article opens with a great correlation between living in projects and driving them. Great satire that paints a vivid image. Plants the hook.
You follow with a relatable cliche (America's love of the automobile) and bolster the paragraph with a personal (and relatable) account of your automobile experiences.
Providing an example in the third paragraph adds an essay feel to the article. And then you pour on the satire with a "queen mary" comparison and more vivid imagery.
I think I've noted in previous review how much I like your word choices and sensibilities.
The remainder of the article adds a personal touch to the hardships of owning these Detroit lemons.
The storyline (for me) is really a single mom's struggle with something that is really supposed to be easy and reliable. I see the car as a prop.
This article has legs and perhaps a place outside of FS. It is well-written, error-free and flows to the very end.
Loved it!
Comment Written 29-Dec-2012
reply by the author on 29-Dec-2012
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Dan,
So glad you found this piece entertaining and fun. Hindsight always provides perspective and what was not so funny at the time becomes a humorous event from a distance.
I always so appreciate your reviews of my work. You give me excellent feedback and I value that very much.
Comment from Jacq77
A great piece of writing which had me remembering our first (and second) car. And yes, almost fondly. This is a good description not only of one's feelings, but also of the frustrations and foibles of owning an old, unreliable vehicle. I did enjoy your writing style and descriptive prose. Very well done!
reply by the author on 29-Dec-2012
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A great piece of writing which had me remembering our first (and second) car. And yes, almost fondly. This is a good description not only of one's feelings, but also of the frustrations and foibles of owning an old, unreliable vehicle. I did enjoy your writing style and descriptive prose. Very well done!
Comment Written 29-Dec-2012
reply by the author on 29-Dec-2012
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I am most happy that you enjoyed this piece. Old cars do create unique situations, which at the time are not at all amusing, but with the years humor tends to put them in perspective.
Comment from Sanku
That was a lovely piece of writing. I could sense that you were writing without rancour and that every trials had made you a stronger and better person .You could view the entire experience from a healthily humorous point.I wholeheartedly agree that these automobiles have feelings and thats why theypick the most important time to break down!i enjoyed reading it very very much.Thank you for writing it and congratulations!
reply by the author on 29-Dec-2012
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That was a lovely piece of writing. I could sense that you were writing without rancour and that every trials had made you a stronger and better person .You could view the entire experience from a healthily humorous point.I wholeheartedly agree that these automobiles have feelings and thats why theypick the most important time to break down!i enjoyed reading it very very much.Thank you for writing it and congratulations!
Comment Written 29-Dec-2012
reply by the author on 29-Dec-2012
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I am so glad you enjoyed this piece and thank you so much for the generous six rating.
Yes, old unreliable cars do pose challenges, but they also create some funny stories that get to be funny way after the fact.
Comment from Dawn Munro
Oh this is such a delight! To any mechanically-challenged individual who's ever experienced the dreaded beast (an unreliable vehicle) your story paints an hilarious picture only in retrospect - some of us still drive those things! (What's a gal to do when she has a passion for steel rather than fiberglass?) All kidding aside, this is great - I loved every word and saw nothing needing so much as a comma. (I'm so glad I discovered you.) Now if only I had a six! This is so worthy!
reply by the author on 29-Dec-2012
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Oh this is such a delight! To any mechanically-challenged individual who's ever experienced the dreaded beast (an unreliable vehicle) your story paints an hilarious picture only in retrospect - some of us still drive those things! (What's a gal to do when she has a passion for steel rather than fiberglass?) All kidding aside, this is great - I loved every word and saw nothing needing so much as a comma. (I'm so glad I discovered you.) Now if only I had a six! This is so worthy!
Comment Written 28-Dec-2012
reply by the author on 29-Dec-2012
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Well, this holiday season has certainly conjured up a variety of recollection for me. This piece being on a much lighter note. I'm glad you found it entertaining.
Comment from Cornelius2000
Despite being of the male species, I can relate to your story. I once had a 1939 Plymouth that would stall every time it rained. It seems that it was designed so that the spark plugs were in little recesses on top of the block, and when I'd drive through puddles they would fill up with water and the car would stall. It took me quite a while to figure this out, and my vocabulary became somewhat colorful during that period. So I hear you....and I think you said it quite well.
This rating does not count towards story rating or author rank.
The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.
reply by the author on 29-Dec-2012
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Despite being of the male species, I can relate to your story. I once had a 1939 Plymouth that would stall every time it rained. It seems that it was designed so that the spark plugs were in little recesses on top of the block, and when I'd drive through puddles they would fill up with water and the car would stall. It took me quite a while to figure this out, and my vocabulary became somewhat colorful during that period. So I hear you....and I think you said it quite well.
This rating does not count towards story rating or author rank.
The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.
Comment Written 28-Dec-2012
reply by the author on 29-Dec-2012
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Sounds like you had a unique situation with your vehicle. They do pose the most frustrating problems at times and they do not favor one gender or another when they go on the blink.
Comment from Rdfrdmom2
Marisa3:
Your story sounds very much like that of one of my former
students who is also a single mom. She saved and saved in
order to buy a car (at least that's what the sleazy car
salesman called it) whose rear end lifted off the road for
no apparent reason and almost caused her death less than 30
days after she purchased it.
Thanks for shariing
love,
jan
reply by the author on 28-Dec-2012
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Marisa3:
Your story sounds very much like that of one of my former
students who is also a single mom. She saved and saved in
order to buy a car (at least that's what the sleazy car
salesman called it) whose rear end lifted off the road for
no apparent reason and almost caused her death less than 30
days after she purchased it.
Thanks for shariing
love,
jan
Comment Written 28-Dec-2012
reply by the author on 28-Dec-2012
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Used car salesman should be shot on sight! They have no souls, I am convinced of this. The car I ended up buying turned out to be a bigger lemon than the one I had. So, the kids and I were back walking more than riding, once again.
Thanks for sharing this story with me. It is very familiar indeed.
Comment from mroberts
Very funny real life piece. I enjoyed your descriptions of the sleazy mechanics and the frustrations of unreliable vehicles. I also liked the way you found something positive from these hardships. Your humor and hyperbole remind of the great Erma Bombeck.
reply by the author on 28-Dec-2012
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Very funny real life piece. I enjoyed your descriptions of the sleazy mechanics and the frustrations of unreliable vehicles. I also liked the way you found something positive from these hardships. Your humor and hyperbole remind of the great Erma Bombeck.
Comment Written 28-Dec-2012
reply by the author on 28-Dec-2012
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Wow! You just gave me the ultimate compliment. I dearly loved Erma and so admired her writing. I read everything she wrote, as her writing struck a chord with me as a mom. Being a single mom I was never sure just how much damage I was doing to my kids' psyches. After reading her I could balance my angst with humor and that helped to give me a good perspective.
I am very glad that you enjoyed this piece. Thank you for your great comments.
Comment from Dave M
Marisa,
This is an excellent rant about clunkers. We Americans depend far too much on automobiles. In Europe (and in New York City), it is easy to get around without them.
Dave
reply by the author on 28-Dec-2012
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Marisa,
This is an excellent rant about clunkers. We Americans depend far too much on automobiles. In Europe (and in New York City), it is easy to get around without them.
Dave
Comment Written 28-Dec-2012
reply by the author on 28-Dec-2012
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Well, in Arizona and California mass transit leaves a lot to be desired. I did have to take the bus on many occasions, but they did not run on a very efficient schedule. I do wish we would rethink this automobile addiction we have in this country and develop better train and bus systems.
Glad you enjoyed the piece.
