AC Benus Posted August 29, 2014 Share Posted August 29, 2014 For discussion of themes and topics. The book can be found here: https://www.gayauthors.org/story/timothy-m/cluelesscamping 1 Link to comment
AC Benus Posted August 29, 2014 Author Share Posted August 29, 2014 (edited) Well, as is my want (lol), now that I have created this forum as a total fan of the work, I'd like to make the first posting too! This book has a special, and somewhat difficult quality to pin down. There are many currents of emotions here, but these seem to flow somewhat sluggishly through the first-person narration of Russell. He feels, especially at the beginning, that he is not a very interesting person, and that he regards himself with near-contempt as someone left behind. This narrative tone changes in the skilled hands of our author, so that after he admits to himself and Jacob that he is in love, Russell's voice begins to ring clearer and clearer. A joy creeps into it, and that joy is captivating. Edited August 30, 2014 by AC Benus 2 Link to comment
AC Benus Posted August 29, 2014 Author Share Posted August 29, 2014 Timothy M – Nature is a big theme in this book – as applied even by its title – which, now that they are in Copenhagen, is transitioning into a city vibe with lots of fun place references. Will we ever get to see some pretty pictures (via links, hint hint hint!) to the places so abundantly mentioned!?! 1 Link to comment
carringtonrj Posted August 29, 2014 Share Posted August 29, 2014 The Denmark setting is one of the definite bonuses of this story - gives it a real freshness and novelty, for me, at least. Link to comment
Daddydavek Posted August 29, 2014 Share Posted August 29, 2014 The Denmark setting is portrayed in a very interesting way. The camping has a definite European flair and the descriptions of the places rang true. Of course I had to Google some of the places and things mentioned. I too enjoy the story and look forward to see where it is going, especially once they come back to the the States. DDK 2 Link to comment
Headstall Posted August 29, 2014 Share Posted August 29, 2014 (edited) Well, as is my want (lol), now that I have created this forum as a total fan of the work, I'd like to make the first posting too! This book has a special, and somewhat difficult quality to pin down. There are many currents of emotions here, but these seem to flow somewhat sluggishly through the first-person narration of Russel. He feels, especially at the beginning, that he is not a very interesting person, and that he regards himself with near-contempt as someone left behind. This narrative tone changes in the skilled hands of our author, so that after he admits to himself and Jacob that he is in love, Russel's voice begins to ring clearer and clearer. A joy creeps into it, and that joy is captivating. Couldn't have said it any better myself...I would just add that along with the joy, there is a strength in Russel that also grows...because of the love he finds with Jacob, and his sharing online with his twin. Edited August 30, 2014 by Headstall 2 Link to comment
Timothy M. Posted August 30, 2014 Share Posted August 30, 2014 What a lovely surprise to wake up to on Saturday morning ! Thank you so much guys. To celebrate I have immediately uploaded chapter 5, see https://www.gayauthors.org/story/timothy-m/cluelesscamping/5 I hope you enjoy it. 2 Link to comment
Timothy M. Posted August 30, 2014 Share Posted August 30, 2014 Nature is a big theme in this book Will we ever get to see some pretty pictures (via links, hint hint hint!) to the places so abundantly mentioned!?! Certainly, here are some links Danish beech forests The first and last stanza of the Danish national anthem. The words in italics mean beech. Freja is the Norse mythology love and fertility goddess Freya. Der er et yndigt land, det står med brede bøge, nær salten østerstrand, nær salten østerstrand. Det bugter sig i bakke, dal, det hedder gamle Danmark, og det er Frejas sal, og det er Frejas sal. Og gamle Danmark skal bestå, så længe bøgen spejler sin top i bølgen blå, sin top i bølgen blå. (= and ancient Denmark will last as long as the beech tree is reflected by the blue sea.) Gudenåen http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guden%C3%A5 Himmelbjerget http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Himmelbjerget Klitmøller (Cold Hawaii in Europe) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Klitm%C3%B8ller Råbjerg Mile the migrating sand dune http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R%C3%A5bjerg_Mile Grenen the tip of Jutland http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grenen Skagen http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skagen Læsø the island in Kattegat http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/L%C3%A6s%C3%B8 5 Link to comment
Kitt Posted August 30, 2014 Share Posted August 30, 2014 ** Pictures people bouncing back and forth between pretty pictures** 1 Link to comment
ColumbusGuy Posted August 30, 2014 Share Posted August 30, 2014 I have enjoyed this story so far, and agree with A.C. and Headstall's comments on Russell, but I think it is going to take him some time to really get where he wants to be mentally--finally noticing the improvement physically is a great start, but the mental inferiority issues caused by his father are very deep. Off to read the new chapter--Thanks Tim!! 4 Link to comment
Headstall Posted August 30, 2014 Share Posted August 30, 2014 Another great, very satisfying chapter as the boys return to the real world. It wasn't easy but Russell, with Jacob's help, managed to navigate through this tense situation for the most part. Now it's off to the future in-laws.... 3 Link to comment
Timothy M. Posted August 30, 2014 Share Posted August 30, 2014 (edited) I have enjoyed this story so far, and agree with A.C. and Headstall's comments on Russell, but I think it is going to take him some time to really get where he wants to be mentally--finally noticing the improvement physically is a great start, but the mental inferiority issues caused by his father are very deep. Off to read the new chapter--Thanks Tim!! You're welcome and thank you in return for your astute observations. Russell's mental inferiority issues are indeed something which will take time to get past. And I hope you didn't credit his belief of being 'fine' and his off hand dismissal of any further need of help in dealing with the matter. Maybe he can manage without a professional counselor, but my gut feeling is his complex will break through in ways yet unforeseen. Oh, and while I'm sure Jacob enjoys the improved body I think he'll be even happier to see his boyfriend become confident and content. Edited August 30, 2014 by Timothy M. 2 Link to comment
Timothy M. Posted August 30, 2014 Share Posted August 30, 2014 Another great, very satisfying chapter as the boys return to the real world. It wasn't easy but Russell, with Jacob's help, managed to navigate through this tense situation for the most part. Now it's off to the future in-laws.... well, not to do any spoilers but they have a small shopping expedition to deal with before dinner with Jacob's parents. 2 Link to comment
Timothy M. Posted August 30, 2014 Share Posted August 30, 2014 (edited) ** Pictures people bouncing back and forth between pretty pictures** at first I wanted to put pictures in the chapter, but the length would have been even worse and I worried about copyright. But now that AC most kindly started this forum* I can indulge in giving you all kinds of links for the remaining chapters - plus the next one should be fun with a bit of sight seeing in Copenhagen. * and let me tell you, he spent ages persuading me to agree (to the forum I mean), since I thought no one wold be interested, so again AC for this and thanks all of you for participating. Edited August 30, 2014 by Timothy M. 3 Link to comment
Kitt Posted August 30, 2014 Share Posted August 30, 2014 LOL Why didn't you ask? I would have told you I had googled most of em already! Of course we want to see the places Russel is seeing for the first time. Some of us live voyeuristicly through stories! 1 Link to comment
AC Benus Posted August 31, 2014 Author Share Posted August 31, 2014 (edited) I have enjoyed this story so far, and agree with A.C. and Headstall's comments on Russell, but I think it is going to take him some time to really get where he wants to be mentally--finally noticing the improvement physically is a great start, but the mental inferiority issues caused by his father are very deep. Off to read the new chapter--Thanks Tim!! ColumbusGuy, I am using this to bounce off some major agreement with you. Our author is delving deep into an emotionally 'stunted' teen, but one who was delayed for good reason - a serious, chronic condition. Gary (Headstall) made similar, and in my opinion insightful, comments in his review of chapter 5. I hope everybody has a chance to check it out (and read ALL the reviews too, for they are all informative in their own ways). https://www.gayauthors.org/forums/story/timothy-m/cluelesscamping/chapterreviews/5 Edited August 31, 2014 by AC Benus 2 Link to comment
Site Administrator Graeme Posted September 2, 2014 Site Administrator Share Posted September 2, 2014 Am I the only one who is concerned that after hiding for so long, Russell is now relatively easy to find? When is his father going to show up, and what's going to happen when he does? 2 Link to comment
Timothy M. Posted September 2, 2014 Share Posted September 2, 2014 Am I the only one who is concerned that after hiding for so long, Russell is now relatively easy to find? When is his father going to show up, and what's going to happen when he does? No I'm a bit worried too. However, if you recall, his father wanted to get hold of Russ to ensure he wasn't being 'corrupted' by his twin. Now that both sons are out, this purpose is no longer relevant. And no matter his temper Russell's father is a rational man, so he's not going to waste time ranting - and he's certainly not going to do anything illegal like beat him up or abduct him. He loves his image as an upright banker too much for that. 2 Link to comment
AC Benus Posted September 2, 2014 Author Share Posted September 2, 2014 (edited) Am I the only one who is concerned that after hiding for so long, Russell is now relatively easy to find? When is his father going to show up, and what's going to happen when he does? YES! I wondered that too, especially as Evan broadcast that they were going to Denmark to see Russell on his Facebook page. Edited September 2, 2014 by AC Benus 1 Link to comment
Timothy M. Posted September 4, 2014 Share Posted September 4, 2014 Just a few more fun facts about the things mentioned in the first chapters. Skagens Museum Skagen Painters http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skagen_Painters Something else they probably saw while in Skagen: The Sand-Covered Church http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sand-Covered_Church About the train they caught from Frederikshavn: IC3 train inside and leaving Copenhagen And they went past Odense and talked about Hans Christian Andersen, who is called HC Andersen in Denmark HC Andersen Museum and Childhood Home Oh and in case you wondered about the Grauballe Man http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grauballe_Man and the ring confusion see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ring_finger and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Engagement_ring, note the parts about the Nordic countries. 3 Link to comment
Kitt Posted September 4, 2014 Share Posted September 4, 2014 (edited) Lol. Maybe being an insider gives me a little peek others do not have, but I just assumed there will eventually be a confrontation with dad. And that is where I need to stop before crossing from speculation with the rest of you and hint dropping! Edited September 4, 2014 by Kitt 1 Link to comment
Timothy M. Posted September 4, 2014 Share Posted September 4, 2014 YES! I wondered that too, especially as Evan broadcast that they were going to Denmark to see Russell on his Facebook page. Yes, I only thought about that afterwards, too. Even if their father is not on Facebook, surely the private investigator know how to keep track of matters. So we can take it for given he now knows all about his family going off to Denmark, but the question is: what will he do with the knowledge? To be honest I'm not sure yet, so feel free to speculate here in the forum. Whoever gives me the best idea will be acknowledged in the chapter end note. 1 Link to comment
Timothy M. Posted September 4, 2014 Share Posted September 4, 2014 I just assumed there will eventually be a confrontation with dad. Oh yeah, there will be a confrontation at some point, no doubt about that. But where and when and how ? For Russ sake I hope it's later than sooner and that he's with Evan (and / or his mom) when it happens. And I hope my readers are still with me at the time. 1 Link to comment
Kitt Posted September 4, 2014 Share Posted September 4, 2014 And I hope my readers are still with me at the time. Like we are not already hooked and along for the entire ride?!? 1 Link to comment
Headstall Posted September 4, 2014 Share Posted September 4, 2014 (edited) Yes, I only thought about that afterwards, too. Even if their father is not on Facebook, surely the private investigator know how to keep track of matters. So we can take it for given he now knows all about his family going off to Denmark, but the question is: what will he do with the knowledge? To be honest I'm not sure yet, so feel free to speculate here in the forum. Whoever gives me the best idea will be acknowledged in the chapter end note. I, for one, am really hoping that at least the twins, and hopefully the mother as well, confront their father together as that would be a much more powerful scene IMO. Russell is getting stronger and more confident but he is not quite there yet, If he faced his father alone, I think it could set him back somewhat. I won't go so far as to say he is fragile, but dealing with a domineering homophobic dad can be soul destroying at the best of times and although Jacob, if present could protect him or deflect from him to a degree, It is his family that would give Russell the best chance of handling a confrontation with his father. I am so looking forward to this! Cheers...Gary Edited September 4, 2014 by Headstall 2 Link to comment
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