“The Intermediate Class”
by Sam Allingham
from the April 2, 2018 issue of The New Yorker

Sam Allingham’s debut short story collection, The Great American Songbook, was published in 2016 to favorable reviews. I haven’t read any of his work, though. I’d love to hear from those of you who have. I think his work looks interesting.

Here is how “The Intermediate Class” begins:

When Kiril arrived at Room 2C for the first time that Wednesday evening, he was surprised to hear a piano ringing out from behind the classroom wall. It was early summer, and the community center was almost empty; the children’s camp had been dismissed hours earlier, and in the silence the clustered chords seemed dense and significant, like church bells. He was already late, but he paused for a moment, listening. All day he’d debated backing out at the last minute, though the course was prepaid. Even now, his hand on the doorknob, he felt a slight urge to run. But the music was too intriguing. It drew him through the door.

I’m anxious to see what you all think! As always, I hope it’s a great story.

Please join the conversation below.

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