"The Landlord" The New Yorker Fiction Review

*This is a story that appeared in the Sept 13,2010 issue of The New Yorker.*

“The Landlord” by Wells Tower is a story of a man who tries to hold on to some sense of happiness while he negotiates the later stages of his life through depressing economic times and unfortunate circumstances. The unnamed man is more concentrated on keeping the positive relationships he has with his tenants, contractors and his own daughter, Rhoda; all of whom take advantage of his generosity and kindness, rather than be successful finically or in the typical white picket fence fashion.

Essentially, the story is about happiness.

The Landlord is kind hearted. He sees the good in everyone. Todd, his 60+ year-old contractor, is “a venomous human being,” a drunk, and constantly insults his employer. The Landlord however, doesn’t seem to mind. He sees past this. His life is so lacking for compassion that he accepts the constant verbal abuse from a man, whom he employes, to the point of welcoming it. For him, it’s a connection. A bond.

He never seems upset throughout the whole story. Despite the non-stop text messages from his tenants, verbal abuse from Todd, his unappreciative daughter and repossessions of his properties looming around the corner, he never raises his voice. He never swears. He never calls the other characters out and chastises them from the indiscretions. Nothing. He simply takes it all in stride with out an ounce of confrontation. 

The story causes the reader--at least this one-- to think about the little things in life. What is really important. What is worth getting upset over. These are the questions the story makes the reader contemplate. Though pitiful as the Landlord may seem on the surface, his character is commendable, and in someways someone to admire. 

The story it’s self is quite an easy read. The characters are well portrayed, and it’s easy to imagine Todd’s alcoholic red nose or the dead tree limb in the yard which will soon become the banks problem.  

It’s a pleasant read and worthy of checking out if you have 20 minutes to spare. Don’t plan on having your life changed by it, but you might just look at your own life in a slightly brighter light. 

“El dinero viene facilmente y con frecuencia”  -- Money comes easily and frequently.