Canuk

what a soul stirring chapter! I am fortunate that my soul, like, I dare say, many others, is between my legs!! wonderfully written and great connection between two blokes. Really enjoyed it!

i do love JP's narration. perhaps its my age, but his rational, up early, coffee and newspaper style makes me feel good. Wills narration just has me on edge! Scott's defence of his attempt rape was appalling and really gave an insight into his character.

truly intriguing. the Family certainly has a variety of talent. Somehow I suspect we will see a lot of the "bulging american"! I truly find this story addictive......

Mr Arbour, I am very impressed how you can make the inevitable (my beloved Grainger's survival) into something interesting and enlightening - actually adding to the story rather than and inconvenient inevitability. I alos like how true to character Garinger's brother is - hopefully his younger brother will extract him as ever!!

thank god we have moved on from Will. While I am pleased that JP is narrator, I am even more pleased that we have moved on from Will. I am sorry Mark, but of all the characters in this saga Will is one I just never got. The very closest he got to being a character I could understand was in his call to JP in this chapter - that made sense and it worked for me. Unlike Jeremy I am not good at keeping every character in mind, with their comings, goings, foibles, relationships and quirks, so I'll admit to being a much shallower reader than some, but this chapter did more for me that almost all of the previous story. Kepp up the excellent wrinting - and if if you keep focussing on the characters I like, all the better!!!

a masterful way out of what could have been a very difficult situation. however once they all get back to England I would be surprised if George has a crew left - they will all be so comparatively wealthy that risking life and limb on a leaky boat will seem somewhat of a poor second choice!

that it did!!

Great paced story. I think the drinking is covering some serious work/life issues. I feel that there will be tears before we get to the happy ending! An excellant read

didn't you mother/grandmother ever tell you that sarcasm is the lowest for of wit? As I see it a majot characyer HAS to get involved with 9/11 - post 9/11 in a big way. Not sure how - but I rekon it's a must!!

great story. what makes it great for me is being anAustralian/Canadaian who knows absolutely nothing about American Football, you managed to write a story where actual knowledge of the game was minimal. Instead it was about what the players and coach felt, wanted and hoped for. Almost despite its subject matter I enjoyed it immensely! Thanks

Ok, this is the the first chapter I have reviewed - but it's more the story-to-date that I am looking at rather than Ch 4. You write so well. the combination of "difference" because Dan is from HK AND his nacent sexuality are intertwined and built upon so well. It is really great to read. I love the way you get so much acros without getting bogged down in teenage angst; instead we see genuine confusion as Dan's world unfolds around him. I love the asides after each chapter - the almost unintentional thought bubbles about things that were said. You keep writing - I'll keep reading!! Congrats.

I remember this concept being brought up previously. What I don't understand is that while he has all of us, why on earth would he need ANOTHER life????

Have to agree with Kodeowl.; speechless! Who woulda thunk! Great writing taken to the next level. Really interesting. Keep it on!p

this "walking the fine line" gay/straight thing was something that was brought home to be really clearly between my schol yaers and my sons school years. so we are talking the difference between late 70's and mid 90's to 2004(ish). late 70's you were gay and sufferedfor it or staright and bosted about conquests, the 5 years either side of the millenium boys seemed to simply talk about conquests - the transformation amazed me. I would have loved to know what caused this..... whatever it was I think Mr Arbour has captured it beautifully!

bloody marvellous. I liked the way George and Calvert both yearned for eachother! when they next get togther it is going to more more than just a meeting of minds!!! the comments about the long evenings; wouldn't it be similiar even half way up England? so would not it have been not that surprising to George and his crew? I did visit Edinburgh once but it rained all the time so I am not sure if the sun even rises in that part of the world...... !

first - great writing as ever - the children arriving, the coitus interuptus, Wills inner turmoil. second thank you so much for those last half dozen paras. Honestly, I was having an awful lot of trouble with the "taking justice into our own hands" bit. I think Private Tim's comment says it all!!!

23 or 24 "likes" is cerainly going to make mr Arbour feel, shall i say, appreciated. Perhaps he too needs a bath! Congrats on a great chapter. Its always the twist that gets me!

I am no sci fi buff, but the more i read of this the more interested i get. Ill pander to your ego and sugest that this is a sign of good writing, bloody good writing. Thank you.

great chapter, but doesn't Granger have an excess of seamen? I look forward to how he releives himself of this burden..... I have no doubt it will be in as entertaining a way as Mr Arbour is capable of devising!

Mr Arbour, you have such a dim view of your readers!! as if "If I post a chapter early and run out, you'll all bitch and moan" - when you don't ost it is not so much the loss of our hero, but our concern for you his creator!!! Glad he's back again/ poor miserable spaniard - never underestimate the flower of english nobility!!

ok so we end on a really positive, hopeful and cheerful note....... all the characters we like die, probably painfully, and evil triumphs - <sigh>.....

Robbie sees some degree of sense and JJ 's appalling behaviour is somewhat explained. all in all a great chapter, but not a cliffy...... as you said in an earlier response a true nasty as all get out cliffy would have been to have him just scream at the screen.... And i am glad you didn't do that!

Interesting development around Brad..... Somewhat unexpected. Nana has turned out well, tho' 10mil in diamonds could be called excessive

I understand that style comments are supposedly reserved for the "review" paras and this for other comment, but I'd like to comment how cleverly this last chapter is written. the excitment and tension were great, rounding teh horn, the storm and rogue waves all handled well without ridiculous detail that would make it drag, but with enough that a reader can visiualise and feel the tension of the situation. Then the tension and "relaxation" of the chapter rolls to an ostensibly simple end with Grainger heading ashore after a storm. However in this simple ending, Mark has created a serious undertone of impending activity, serious change-of-underwear activity. This , to me, is far more interesting and clever than a simple cliffhanger where the activity stops mid action. this is why I read you, Mr Arbour and why I come back for more (and whinge when it ain't there!)

the problem I have with Mr Redmayne, is that with slightly redder hair he looks exactly like my son!