[Lugh] Death of Innocence by Lugh

[C James]

Discuss Lugh's story "Death of Innocence", in this thread.

 

 

 

 

Spoilers below!!!

 

 

 

 

 

Spoilers below!!!

 

 

 

 

 

Spoilers below!!!

[Graeme]

Lugh has produced another entertaining and interesting tale. It is easy to read it without diving into the depths, and just enjoy the story of how Phineas saved Innocence. However, there are deeper levels to this story.

 

What are Phineas's real views of his father? It appears that his father was in the air force, but Phineas refused to follow in his father's footsteps, despite, or maybe because of, his father's wishes. That didn't stop him from holding onto that single symbol of his father, though. It was only when he was conscripted into some sort of national service that he found himself following, at least partially, his father's footsteps.

 

One view would be that the unicorn and youth represent Phineas's innocence before his father's death, while the salamander represents the resentment that Phineas feels at being abandoned (even if it was an involuntary abandonment). The unicorn's horn is reputed to have healing properties, and I can't help wonder if that horn filled a hole in Phineas's heart, and thus allowed him to reconnect with innocence.

 

Another view is that the salamander is representative of the fire, showing the capricious and almost alive nature of a bushfire. I'm not sure, but I think the unicorn could represent the living forest, or nature in general, which almost always defeats the fire, though it may take a lot of regrowth. Unicorns are traditional associated with pure youths, and this one is no exception. Phineas, the unicorn, and the boy end up in a complicated triangle, as the unicorn makes a mistake. Phineas represents those people who defend nature and want to save it. He offers to sacrifice himself to save the unicorn -- a sacrifice that turns out to not be fatal.

 

I'm sure I'm only scratching the surface of this story, and some of what I think I see may be wrong, but I enjoyed it at both the top level, and also those messages underlying that I could sense.

 

Well done, Lugh!

[Lugh]

Gads!

 

I didn't write none of that in there!!!

 

Honest I didn't!

 

Thanks for the review G!

 

Lugh

[Graeme]

Gads!

 

I didn't write none of that in there!!!

 

Honest I didn't!

 

Thanks for the review G!

 

Lugh

What? You haven't learnt that readers read more into your stories than you write? I thought all authors knew that

 

I had fun reading your story

[Ieshwar]

Hello Lugh!

 

It's the first story I read and it's great. First of all, awesome title! It's really catchy and makes you curious.

 

As Graeme said, there're several layers in this story. After I read it, I felt like there're deeper meanings to the characters and plot. And the great thing is that the story is so mysterious that I'm sure that each reader will see a different meaning.

 

For me, the youth represented the former Phineas, without any wories and free and the unicorn was his innocence. And the fire is probably the loss of his father and the responsibilty dumped on his shoulders during which he had to mature and eventually lost his innocence unknowingly ( by accepting the Silver Wing unknowingly). When given the opportunity, Phineas decides to die and to destroy this body which the world attributed to his father only to save his innocence.

 

The sad youth also mirrors how dejected Phineas was when he had to enter military service. And the lack of understanding of the officers tells us about their callousness and indifference towards innocence. WOW, that's a great piece, Lugh! I hope that I haven't just mutilated you story. It's just how I see it. I can talk much more about it but I don't want to horrify you with my deductions.

 

And as a writer, I have to applaud the grand imagination you displayed in this story. Recently, I tried to write a fantasy story and it was a disaster! So writing such a good story, it's damn great, but expected from you.

 

Ieshwar

[Camy]

I can't tell you why I like Lugh's writs so much, just that I do. This is no exception. A fabulous story.

*thinks*

 

Perhaps it's because he makes the fantastical seem possible...?

[sat8997]

As lyrical as ever, Lugh. Oh and by the way...it didn't suck.

 

Sharon

[Bondwriter]

As lyrical as ever, Lugh. Oh and by the way...it didn't suck.

 

Sharon

Of course, the negative marketing made me curious. This is a super extra cute fantasy tale. Your writing really flows, and it made me smile throughout, especially once Viago the unicorn and his mysterious rider appeared.

[C James]

Fantasy stories are definitely not my thing, but I liked this one a very great deal, which says a lot. :-)

 

Well done, Lugh!

[Lugh]

And as a writer, I have to applaud the grand imagination you displayed in this story. Recently, I tried to write a fantasy story and it was a disaster! So writing such a good story, it's damn great, but expected from you.

 

Awwww....

 

Well I'm glad you thought the story didn't suck. Besides, I can't write reality so I guess that makes us even, eh?

 

 

Happy Writing,

 

Lugh

[Lugh]

I can't tell you why I like Lugh's writs so much, just that I do. This is no exception. A fabulous story.

*thinks*

 

Perhaps it's because he make the fantastical seem possible...?

 

 

Thanks Camy!

 

You mean you don't? Odd.... I quite clearly seem to remember reading this story... must have been my imagination.

 

meh... the fanstaical is possible... you just gotta believe.

 

 

Happy Writing!

 

Lugh

[Conner]

Gads!

 

I didn't write none of that in there!!!

 

Honest I didn't!

 

Thanks for the review G!

 

Lugh

 

I think it's rather presumptuous of you to not accept that your readers understand what you've written better than you do.

 

We're playing here, Lugh, stop being a killjoy!

 

I loved this story. I loved the symbolism described by both Graeme and Ieshwar.

 

I often find it difficult to pick up on symbolism. Usually, the author has to take the symbol and hit me between the eyes with it. Unfortunately, for me at least, authors tend to be more subtle than that. Fantasy, in my view, is by its very nature full of symbolism. Just ask Aesop and the Grimm bros. Long story shot, I appreciate any help I can get.

 

What moved me the most in this story was when young Phineas decides that he will not be like his father. He will not be a man who doesn't come back. That thought expressed his deep sorrow and his anger so well.

 

Keep doing what you're doing. Don't worry. We'll explain it to you. Thanks so very much.

 

Conner

[Lugh]

hugs Conner...

 

I also find it difficult to pick up on symbolism. Usually, the reader has to take the symbol and hit me between the eyes with it. Unfortunately, for me at least, I tend to be more dense than that. Fantasy, in my view, is by its very nature full of symbolism, and somehow I write the symbolism in without trying cause when I try it comes across as whacking on the reader's intellegence. Sighs.... I'm not being a killjoy, honestly. I just don't see all that stuff in there. However, I'm glad that other people do. Sort of. Maybe... ok I'll shut up now before I chase off that one last person who might want to read Death of Innocence.

 

 

Lughbielughbielugh.....

[Centaur]

I enjoyed this story for the same reasons that I enjoy ALL of Lugh's stories.

 

(1) The imagery and descriptive language is always brilliant.

 

(2) The characters are fascinating for their depth (which is expressed so well even in an anthology entry).

 

(3) The story itself (yes - that simply - he tells a great yarn).

 

 

I'm not going into a description of symbolism because I didn't see what others saw (as noted above). However, everyone clearly enjoyed the story.

 

Thank you Lugh, as always, for a wonderful job.

 

Now - I encourage OTHERS to read it as well. And comment too - that always helps.

 

Centaur

[BeaStKid]

WOW...

 

Beautiful tale of innocence!!! lol

 

The imagery is perfect and flawless and creates a perfect picture in our minds about the scenery you depicted. The narrative is good and the plot is great. The revelation in the end was awesome.

 

All in all....A wonderful story...

 

 

The BeaStKid

[yaalc]

Loved it!

 

What a superb story Lugh.

 

I didn't read as much into it as some of the others. I just enjoyed the ride. And what a great ride it was.

 

[Lugh]

I'm really glad you all enjoyed it. I hope you will enjoy the fall anthology as much.

 

 

happy reading,

 

Lugh

[BeaStKid]

I'm really glad you all enjoyed it. I hope you will enjoy the fall anthology as much.

happy reading,

 

Lugh

I'm sure of that one fact though!! lol...And I hope the turnout is as good as the one it was this time....

[Lugh]

I"m sure it will be even with the grumblings about the theme....

 

do you have something you are working on?

[BeaStKid]

I"m sure it will be even with the grumblings about the theme....

 

do you have something you are working on?

I have a plot in mind and I keep on scribbling the major things down (something like an outline but not an exact outline)....Let's see how it turns out in the end!! :