They is: Bullet in the Brain

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I chose this story because it not only goes with the unfinished business series and the theme of murder with the next short story and The Name of the Rose, but also because this is one of my favorite short stories.

The title and plot of the story may seem ominous but it's really not about the events that unfold; it's more about the main character, Anders. Bullet in the Brain by Tobias Wolff is a short read, but it's one of those that I admire for packing so much life into the story. Here's a short summary: Anders is shot in the head after he antagonizes a bank robber during a robbery (trust me, it goes more interesting than this. You should really read it for yourself). The rest of the story is what doesn't and ultimately what does come to Anders' mind as the bullet travels through his brain.

I really like how the story is written because you get the details of the character's life and therefore, more about who he is as a person, outside this isolated but pivotal moment in his life. What Anders doesn't think about is just as important as what he thinks about while dying. I made a connection between what leads to Anders' death and his last thought. Anders dies making fun of the bank robber's speech, but his last thought is from his childhood, the innocence of a grammatical error, in which he took delight. It reminds me how the main character's last word "Rosebud" in Citizen Kane is meant to be in remembrance of a simpler time. Also I like how the events of his life are described non linear because our memory does not operate in sequence.

Bullet in the Brain is one of those stories you want to read again and again for how well-crafted it is. I have immense respect for the piece; I was interested in the main character and what was revealed about his life and personality in a short space. It can be found here and here.