issue 56

Issue 56 is the last teenage issue of Vestal Review. In March of 2020, we'll turn twenty. We've been already voting for over a year now. We are almost full-blown adults and will be able to drink legally soon.

The eight stories we present to you in this contentious timefor the country and the world are not chosen to entertain or help you to relaxor to show off new literary techniques. They are to remind you that there aremore things to unite us than to divide. That the people have enough spirit anddrive to withstand explosive confrontation and chaos, and to remain human, ifnot necessarily civil.

If we elect and select the most important reason to read fiction, let's vote together for that. And let's drink to that.

—Mark Budman

Issue 56 is the last issue Mark Budman and Susan O'Neill co-edited.