Bondwriter

Another emotionally loaded situation and a family that has to undergo a terrible ordeal. It's like Bob has to face reality in the harshest way. As usual, the storytelling is clear, simple and gets the narrator's personality well-portrayed.

Yes, it seems it's Ra if you refer to the text describing creation. Plus he says "I have many names." But I'm drifting into speculation here. I didn't feel Bes willfully surrendered to the "stranger", but that he was mind-controlled and hence was deprived of his will, and led into giving himself away. The storyline is linear, but the atmosphere is well rendered, and this makes for a fascinating read. Good job again, Shadowgod! (Now I don't really feel like crossing him, if you see what I mean!)

OK, make this I can't help feeling sorry for Aaron. Yes, he behaved like a jerk, and acted cowardly, but in the end, he's the loner and the loser, and the one who drifts away alone in the rain. The way it's laid out, it's not seen from Joey's point of view, who could be laughing at the stupid mock-jock who turned his back on him and lost his friendship, and certainly more. So, whereas I hated Aaron's reaction when he leaves the room after Joey came out to him, and not agreeing with him on his behavior, the author makes me feel a bit of pity (not a very nice feeling anyway) for him in the final scene. So it's not all black and white, and I'm grateful to the author for this take on things in his 3rd person narrative.

This story explores the world of "mental disorder", "insanity", or whatever word you deem acceptable to describe a mental state that doesn't allow an individual to interact "normally" with the world by shaking the storyline and traditional narration. After twenty lines, I gave up trying to understand what was going on and let myself go with the flow of the events happening. Artaud came to my mind. Hearing and sounds, writing, time, frequency: they're explored in a dream-like manner, which makes you doubt your senses. Daring and cleverly obsessional.

This was hilarious. Darren's parents are completely insensitive, especially since he doesn't get paid. Who would think a teenager would enjoy babysitting a four-year old? It's my niece's age, and I'll tell you she wouldn't have it this pleasant. But in my babysitting career (a while back), I did have to take care of such capricious kids. And get cash.

Placebo - Sleeping with Ghosts

Yeah, I agree with CJ about the deletion. I actually asked about it, that's how manipulative I am. So, now, you've had full 'behind the scenes' revelations. As for Laurent Romejko (who turned 42, but totally doesn't look his age), I agree he's cute. And it's funny you mention him, because he also does the weather forecast on the morning news. What about Beno

I was afraid CJames would once again alienate the locals living where his stories take place. I don't know if he got an official stamp of approval from the Hawaii Board of Tourism, for his efforts at making it appealing, but I'm not surprised he got his facts right. I had not seen this from this angle, but it makes me want to watch more Bollywood. I thought that at last I had found a method to find a soul mate. Sadly enough, we have a few storms every once in a while over here, no hurricanes, no volcanoes. Moving a few hundreds of miles south, there are forest fires, which would be my best bet. So guys, this is not only a nicely written story (read Graeme's review above, he manages to say all the clever literary things), this is a set of instructions on how to pick up guys. Down with the nightclubs, college campuses or even the occasional church youth group. Here is the best method to find yourself a cute, blond, shirtless boy friend. 1/ Find a dangerous activity. Surfing is OK, but of course kite-surfing, wind-surfing, rock climbing, parachuting, free-falling and all similar activities are OK. Cross-country biking or Formula 1 racing work too, but require greater skill and are more costly. 2/ Hang out for a while once you've become a master at this sport. You're getting to the tricky part. 3/ If you've been doing everything well, Fate will reward you. It always does. You should now spot a good-looking guy. DON'T COME OUT RIGHT AWAY. This would spoil the fun. Act shy, he will too. Get to know him, but don't be too blunt. 4/ The cute, lonely, weird-acting guy should be doing something reckless. Of course, as you haven't told him you liked him, and haven't been able to pick up the pieces of the jigsaw puzzle telling you he's gay too, and has trouble dealing with it, you haven't identified his suicidal tendencies. BUT, you feel love deep in your heart for him, which will help tremendously. So, he goes for his reckless suicide attempt. NOW HAS COME THE TIME TO MAKE YOUR MOVE. This is also a trial, or as they said in the Middle Age, an ordeal. 5/ Gather all your skills and experience, and just GO FOR IT. This is the hour of truth. If you've trained enough, and you have enough true feelings for him, the adrenalin rush and whatever magic power drives you will manage to have you save the guy. Then, having come close to death, he should collapse in your arms and reveal that he has had the hots for you too; your saving his life makes it all the more powerful than if you hadn't followed the advice in #3. Of course, if you fail the ordeal, you'll rest six feet under a few days later. But this method is 100% efficient and guarantees a life-long happiness and bliss if you go through the whole process unhurt. So, to sum it up: *a great story *great guys *great advice *great surfing *great sightseeing *poor kids jeopardized by a goat (authors shouldn't threaten their characters with violent death, a law should be passed against this)

Yes, Ieshwar, why didn't you have a lengthy piece of dialog letting us know explicitly that this was love at first sight AND forever? Actually, I think your plea is answered by this, NJ:

It seems Altimexis is becoming the master of the happy get-to-know-each-other, come-out-to-the-acceptant family genre. In my opinion, much more realistic than inl Love In A Chair, (which was pretty good already). Entertaining, well-paced, feel good all the way! And another mother who wants her kid to know the facts of life,

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.

Yes, and I cannot encourage people enough to go find a story that suits them.

Neil Young - Rust (good to read stories at the same time)

This is a cute story. I really thought it would end up badly, with Geoff the failure. Lots were said in such a short text, and it remained light in spite of the harrowing beginning. If Yaalc has another story in which a character dies or isn't saved by magic, I think I'll hate him, because I expect him to get his characters out of trouble!

Everytime I hear about voodoo, I can't help having these great lines from Labyrinth come to my mind(I think it actually comes from another movie, but I couldn't find out which one). Though they're not 100% relevant to this story, there is something about the Power of Love in The Cleansing too.. All the ingredients of a horror film: the sophisticated urban people stranded in the boons, where a weird community has settled. The bokor. Goat skulls. Zombies. Pleasant read, well done; I thought it would end up with drama, and my soft little heart was reassured by the happy ending.

A big cast of characters, but we do get to know them nevertheless in this short story. The atmospheres of the beginning scenes is realistically rendered. Because of the theme, the course the different characters follow is either going up or down. The simple problem of getting cut by glass casts a threat on Parrish and Patrick. Same as Sharon, if this belongs to a larger ensemble, it would be interesting to read it all.

The world created by Carl Holiday unravels slowly, as we find out that not only did we move in space but in time also. Tons of twists and turns in the plot, but eventually, the couple that I feared was doomed ends up being reunited. Not being a sci-fi specialist, I cannot think of precise comparisons, but I enjoyed how what at first seems to be a parallel dimension ends up being our Western civilization gone wrong. The characters seem to be predestined, and they end up being saved by those intriguing creatures. One-Five-Seven and Eleven. I enjoyed both the whole universe being created under my reader's eyes and the individual fates of the boys, who end up having the names of 17th and 18th century scientists and philosophers. Which makes perfect sense knowing how this world came to life. There are also anti-goat cutting remarks, which weren't censored.

I know how modest you are, hence my avoiding giving too much praise, so you don't end up having to remodel your house.

Maybe in the fall, we'll find out about a mysterious duo of caped crusaders playing humiliating pranks on the school's bullies and jocks. A dynamic duo that know what's 'Worth Fighting For'. Pulllease? (I have a few ideas about possible ordeals, which involve pink underwear and webcams; though I bet you'll be creative enough!)

A finely crafted story. Reading it a second time around, and not having my eyes hunting the possible typo, I got a lot more of the atmosphere and the mystery. I couldn't help thinking about Stefan Zweig's short stories, maybe because of the themes and characters. The characters remain enigmas though we get to know lots about them. The language is finely chiseled, Menzo using the whole range of vocabulary available to him. I cannot say I ended up smiling once I was done reading, but this is nevertheless a beautiful story.

OK, I didn't read Graeme's review, otherwise I'll have all the clever things already said. The little episodes selected to illustrate Joey and Aaron's growing up are to the point to get to the conclusion for this coming of age story. You can't help but feel sorry for Aaron in the end, a victim of cultural prejudice. The childhood parts are really good, especially when they're little. The "discovery of sex" part is funny, and not handled in too clich

Yes, it is a sweet romance in an exotic setting. It's laid out simply, with descriptions of equally pleasant characters. It's good to be reminded that somewhere out there, there's someone waiting for you. They don't have to go through the discomfort of not knowing whether the other guy is gay, but they still have to find out whether they can attract him. The dialogs are realistic, and the scenery superb. And any story letting people believe French guys are hot is a nice one!

This is a great story, and the ending leaves us very unsatisfied; with the mirrored thoughts at the beginning, my optimistic side makes me feel like Tyler will manage to find Justin before anything happens. The whole time reading, I felt like telling Tyler to do the right thing, but in real life, lots of us do not behave like heroes. Congrats to WoM over this great short story, without living-deads or superheroes, but that grabs the reader through a roller-coaster of emotions nonetheless.

Yes, you guys/ gals rock. I'll get back to reading, and start commenting on these great stories.