Idols

By: Antony West

Narrated by: Jes Forrest

In the quiet suburbs of 1950s America, a young girl's world is shattered when she discovers that her parents are not the perfect idols she once believed them to be. The story opens with the main character fully immersed in the quasi-religious cult to which her family belongs, seeing her father as a saint-like figure and her mother as a dutiful housewife.

Initially feeling betrayed by these revelations, the main character struggles to reconcile her idealized versions of her parents with their true selves. As the conflict rises, she must grapple with the fact that even those closest to her have flaws and secrets. However, through it all, she slowly comes to realize that her parents care about their family above all else and that they are doing their best to navigate a complicated world.

The story is told entirely from the main character's perspective, and little information is given about the cult to which her family belongs. Instead, the focus remains on her emotional journey as she learns to accept her parents as complex human beings, rather than one-dimensional idols.

As the story reaches its climax, the main character must confront the truth about her parents head-on. She finally sees them for who they truly are and learns to embrace their imperfections. In doing so, she also gains a newfound understanding of herself and her place in the world.

Overall, this coming of age story offers a poignant exploration of family dynamics and the emotional complexities of growing up. With fully-realized characters and a richly-drawn setting, it is a story that will resonate with listeners of all ages.

©2023 Antony Stuart West (P)2023 Antony Stuart West