peter rietbergen

Powerful and moving. As well as tragic.

I can see you have plans for all your characters. And such fun they are, too. Onwards, yes!!!

This chapter, too, lives up to the great expectations this author has created!

a very strong part of the tale: it exposes the various sides/perspectives of what was - and, often, still is - seen as "a problem". I trust the author: he'll (let his characters) deal sensitivel;y with the many issues involved.

I'm so glad you suppressed that thought.

which, I shoudl add, means there now ill be a "the Cannon", too....😃

“Wait!” he blurted, springing to his feet. “Before you go – what are your thoughts on the ethical implications of mating a genetically modified capybara with a feral raccoon to create a sentient custodian species capable of mopping gym floors and analyzing Shakespearean sonnets?” Miss Charice stopped, turned slowly, and raised an eyebrow. “Mm-hm. Sounds like somebody out here projectin’ their need for emotional validation onto imaginary marsupials. You tried journaling, baby? Or maybe needlepoint?” The room exploded. Jonah staggered backward like he’d taken a bullet to the chest, then flung himself face-down onto the rug, pounding the floor with both fists. “She destroyed me!” he wailed. “Her power is absolute! She could take down Snape and Voldemort in the same duel!” He rolled onto his back, staring at the ceiling. “I am but ashes in the wind.” This is absolutely epic.

I thought Kenny was wearing his church suit to the dance. But it doesn't matter. What matters is: after entering the auditorium, under cheering and applause, and holding hands, and dancing together with the eyes of the entire school on them - how can K feel he cannot, in the public eye, be gay? Moreover, why does the 'group of (three) fiends/friends' need other pictures than of these scenes to set the school on fire?

It would be "out of character" indeed.

In the case of this story, it is difficult not to heap superlative on superlative. I'm an avid reader of GA-stories, and have been over the past three/four years. Yet I simply must confess that among the many dozens this one is one of three I don't hesitate to praise most. Not only because it is - as a historical tale - superbly researched, though yes: it is, far more so than most in this genre. Not only because it is structured in such a way that after each chapter you simply want to read on - though yes: it does do that to you. Not only because it is wonderfully well-written, with a secure sense of style absolutely rare for GA - as, alas I have to say. And not, last but not least, because it leaves you feeling deeply for the men involved - both the two protagonists and the minor characters among who they live - though it does precisely do that. It is because all these factors come together to make this a tale that deserves to be put between two paper covers. Standing in a bookshop, I'd buy it immediately after having read only one page. And I'd ask the shop assistant if there are other novels by this author.

You left me - indeed, obviously, many of us - between a tear and a laugh. Being able to do so is a rare gift. I'll revisit its fruit as I do the Seneca, the Shelley, and the Austen.

I'll hug Kenny/Topher - too.

well, there's nice (?) plaid - but I'm too old for it, now.... and then there always was/is, awfull plaid, too. So if you ever show us a pic, please: a plain rather than a plaid tie....Otherwise I can't hug you with thanks for your stories...

Good heavens? Is there no sense of fashion in this tale's world? A white dinner jacket - well, accepted. Though at that age? But with a PLAID tie? Surely that was not what the shop's clerk approved! But then it seems it wasn't bought after all. It was borrowed. And Steve's Mum said it bought out his eyes. A PLAID tie? Is she besotted, or colour-blind? Surely you're kidding us. As with the Volvo, that now is rumbling low, too. And Kenny? Well, he also rumbles. It must be this town's not-so secret disease. But please go on. I won't stop laughing.

If it is: "The End", it is as passionate as it should be.

well, they may learn a lot, but at least according to the author they're not supposed to learn the business secret of L and S, since neither set of parents knows about it.

Funny as always, and more than that. But it seems that now every older man in that town "rumbles'....

What a splendid description of the Church of the Apostles - as you imply: one of the town's wonders we sorely miss. And you use the book of ceremonies to great effect. A great chapter. Thanks.

Not quite just another Sunday... But I think the remarks about the binoculars repeat themselves...

Please let none of these two suggested couplings ever happen...!

Scrubber is right, of course. The main protagonists in this tale are going to discover that the Twelfth Night assignment is, really, their tale, too.

A fascinating plot device. But the info on Kenny's "no computer", "not Amish" cannot have surprised Steve since K told the entire auditorium.

Maybe B and A have become more complicated. The improbable thing is that L has remained a rather emotionally-stunted man.

Oh well, I'll gladly accept that stream of i, i, i and yet more i-words if they keep you going.