Roy Parvin revisits readers’ reactions to his summer reflection

SETTLING IN: Roy Parvin relocated to Asheville in May during the first wave of COVID-19. Photo by Nye' Lyn Tho

In August, Roy Parvin penned a first-person account detailing his decision to relocate with his wife from Sonoma County, Calif., to Asheville amid COVID-19. Aspects of the article — including the fact that the Parvins paid over half a million dollars for their home, sight unseen — struck some readers as tone deaf during a year plagued by racial unrest, economic turmoil and death.

The online response, writes Parvin in an email exchange with Xpress, “was a bit surprising.”

However, Parvin says he hasn’t dwelled on the comments. “People like what you have to say or they don’t,” he notes. “The personal attacks against me were regrettable, however.”

Overall, Parvin views the move to Asheville in a positive light. “The food is spectacular,” he writes, adding that he is particularly thankful for the city’s many gluten-free options — something he says wasn’t as readily available back in California. “That’s a form of Southern hospitality I’d not expected.”

With COVID numbers on the rise, the Parvins continue to practice social distancing. But with three dogs, “We’ve had a number of really nice across-the-lawn conversations with our new neighbors,” he writes. “We can’t wait to get to know all of them. Hurry up, vaccine!”

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About Thomas Calder
Thomas Calder received his MFA in Fiction from the University of Houston's Creative Writing Program. His writing has appeared in Gulf Coast, the Miracle Monocle, Juked and elsewhere. His debut novel, The Wind Under the Door, is now available.

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2 thoughts on “Roy Parvin revisits readers’ reactions to his summer reflection

  1. Russianview

    Asheville is like a fake american town built by russians to simulate american life. People move here from california, but they could be spies from another land coming here to train to be more american. Perhaps asheville isnt even in the usa. Maybe they drug and relocate some americans here to make it more real for trainees from ” california’, but we know the true location of asheville is a secret site in romania. its expensive here because russians think america is expensive and liberal, ao asheville is really “russian viewpoint of usa” come to life.

  2. Shultz!

    “People like what you have to say or they don’t,” he notes. Let them eat cake, indeed.

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