At the heart of much speculative fiction (and fiction in general) is a question. What if? On Tuesdays I like to throw one out there and see what you make of it. Do with it as you please. If a for-instance is not specified, feel free to interpret that instance as you wish. And if you find this becomes a novel-length answer, I'd appreciate a thank you in the acknowledgements. 😉
What if the missing character, the one everyone believes is dead because they've been missing for months, turns out to actually be alive?
common theme in literature. Usually their reappearance disrupts many lives. though I did read one classic story where the "dead ero' realized that everyone had moved on and was happy, and chose not to reveal that he was still alive.
ReplyDeleteI think I missed that one.
DeleteLike that movie with Tom Hanks - Castaway. If it's been long enough, then that character might need to move on as everyone else would've already done so.
ReplyDeleteUnless it's a love story where the one person hasn't moved on, then it's a happy ending. Unless there are shaky reasons for that person's disappearance.
So many possibilities!
I agree with Alex. I think the reason behind disappearing are just as important as where they've been.
ReplyDeleteYes, determining the reasons would change what one would do about it.
DeleteDon't they do that on TV shows if they aren't sure a character is going to renew their contract? Write it ambiguously either way so when the character shows up again, its easier to explain their appearance.
ReplyDeletebetty
I think that's something that's been done to death. I can't think of any way to make that trope new again.
ReplyDeleteHmm...this has happened in real life more than once, Like Olivia Newton John's former fiance. William Desmond Taylor was an accomplished director who was found murdered in his study at home. Some of the biggest names in Hollywood (women) were suspects but this murder has never been solved. It was found that he had a former life, married with a child back in New York. He left one evening to get eggs and never returned. She declared him dead and only found out he was alive..er...once he was murdered. I wish a movie would be made about this. King Vidor wanted to make a film and he figured out whom he believed was the actual murderer but people were still alive and he didn't want anyone hurt. He died without revealing his thoughts
ReplyDeleteOh, yes, I remember reading about Newton John's former flame being found alive and well and living in Mexico, if I am not mistaken. He sounded like a coward and a cad.
DeleteOkay, this totally needs to be a movie now. Wow. I don't recall ever hearing this story.
DeleteNews to me, too. Interesting. I dreamed of becoming a widow last night. ~shakes head~ It was awful, with well meaning busybodies trying to engage me in odd 'uplifting' endeavors. Waking up to see my devoted guy was especially good.
DeleteThat's a creepy nightmare.
DeleteAs for story I like it, adds to it.
ReplyDeleteThey better have souvenirs from wherever they were hiding.
ReplyDeleteHasn't that been played out in a lot of shows and movies? haha.....well, I would think that if I knew the said person then they would have a lot of explaning to do!
ReplyDeleteProbably has. I had a difficult time coming up with a question this week.
Deletehaha....I understand those days all too well.
DeleteHuckleberry Finn!
ReplyDeleteThe story for sure will take a dramatic turn.
ReplyDeleteI have read real-life stories, wherein a person, who missing for a long time and presumed dead, has reappeared.
Oooh. The real life ones haven't been done to death.
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