James Gandolfini, 1961-2013
(Which, of course, is in no way true at all.)
As Kevin tweeted earlier tonight, James Gandolfini gave a soul to the monster at the heart of The Sopranos. The show changed television — and made people all around the world drive through a Jersey Turnpike tool booth each week during the opening credits.
There always will be a love-hate relationship between Jersey and The Sopranos; Jimmy Gandolfini was definitely part of the love. Rest in peace.
Issue 43 is the runaway American dream. Less chrome-wheeled and fuel-injected, more disillusioned and dejected. We bookend our June installment with stories about addiction – one with killer drones, the other involves someone getting shot by a turkey. In between there’s war, PTSD, recession, and a bread van. That’s right, we said a bread van. Also, our first ever poem.
It’s a bit of a walk on the dark side, but we think you can handle it. The weather’s getting warmer and the writing’s always good. You’ll be okay if you don’t stray too far off the path.
In fact, Issue 43 needs you. Redeem the cynicism, heal the violated.
Hiho silver-o, deliver it from nowhere.
We know you’re expecting a new issue, but we’re going to ask you to buck up and wait a few more days.
Real life, the end of the school year, and efforts by at least one of our editors to get named interim Senator from New Jersey have combined to set us back. So try to relax, reread last month’s awesome issue, and we should have the June Issue for you over the weekend.
It’s well worth the wait, with a fantastic novelette by Isaac Boone Davis and great short stories by Nate Depke, Ric Carter, Jon Wesick, and returning JDP favorite Robert Buswell. Not to mention our first ever poem (by Helena Ainsworth). The whole thing kicks off with the debut publication by new writer, Ricardo Angulo, who brings you an excellent tale of addiction and killer drones.
We can’t wait for you to read all of it.
(Well, okay, apparently we could wait — but only a few more days.)