peter rietbergen

The letter Alex left for John is, compact as it is, a monumental text of love - and of help. Kudos to the author. Yet, in this chapter, a few things seem strange. Why would John ask Nancy to read this most intimate of texts? She may have been a strong support, but yet... And then, a few sentences later, he tells her there is a letter... And as he leaves the hospital room after having watched Alex, and spoken to, with him, she tells him it was a lovely good-bye. But she wasn't there - she had remained outside.

Again: a very satisfying - yes - chapter. As to "going commando", and the kilt-story... [And yes, a decent kilt, i.e. one not made in China or by children in Pakistan is hideously expensive!] I recently spent three weeks hiking in the Highlands, and had occasion to ask about the "no underwear under a kilt". Each time I was told it is a "myth". Any connoiseurs in that field reading this who care to comment/elucidate?

A nice-enough story, with a nice-enough mixture of swimming lore and sex. But... I cannot really accept that at 18 these three boys (rather: young men...) do not know/acknowledge (at least to themselves) they are gay, or, to put it otherwie: that at that age they're still pretending not to be...

Funny and clever - and, moreover, not unconvincing...

Normally, in any comments I make I never "engage" with the characters in a story (that I like...), asking, speculating about the "how's" and the "why's" and the "what if's..." of their thoughts and actions. It is, after all, a job for the author to decide what he's going to write and, thus, share with us. Yet in this case I cannot understand why Vince doesn't immediately ask Gray - or, indeed, why Gray in his wool-gathering hasn't asked himself... - what HE feels, in this relationship with Matt.. Surely it cannot be a matter of/depending on dick-shallowness, only? But then again: maybe this essential information/emotion is saved for the grand finale that surely is coming.

This is, I feel, the most convincing chapter as yet. Whether or not I'm "taken" by the incest triangle and its emotions, I am convinced and, idneed, moved by the scene(s) that show us the father/lover trying to accept himself: his growing decrepitude, his growing awareness of what being physically powerless means for one's self-image, one's self-realization. Therefore: bravo, and thanks.

As always, this chapter tries - mostly succesfully - to use words, form phrases to evoke an atmosphere that is laden with compelx emotions. I sometimes feel, however, that some moderation in the use of descriptive adjectives would tie the story more tightly together. And, if I'm being honest: to tell us that Bobby put his cock, all seven inches of it, in N's mouth, is a stylistic anomaly, precisely in a story crafted with such care.

Two consecutive moments/sessions (into) the/a campus cafe?

An excellent chapter. The dilemma it poses has shaped/blighted the careers of so many movie stars - and musicians, both popular and classical. And whilst most victims have been female, we know that male young hopefulss have had to deal with it, too - James Dean being an early example.

Excellent indeed. And please: do NOT make this the beginning of a long-drawn-out story. Its strength is - amongst its other qualities - that it leaves us to imagine what may happen next.

It's a strong story-teller who knows that the ending many of his readers desire is not necessarily the best one...

So many "dirty minds" on this site - or: following this story😉. Why cannot the 'moment' of G and M be a simple kiss - that leaves us, the readers, with the certainty that, beyond these pages, in RH's capable hands all will continue and be well?

you can sign your work, like Lippi: Iste perfecit opus! S0, all smile...

Looking forward to the way(s...) you'll manage the video chats...

Of course I did sense a "wrapping-up" coming up in this chapter. But a trip to Ireland? A complete surprise.

Eeven with the incest, I find myself slowly "succumbing" to the story - at least: to the characters and their emotions. In that sense, it is absolutely powerful. But... I find myself disliking the sex scenes, especially the first one between A and N. That specific one is - trite, full of the tropes that too much writing about gay sex adheres to; clichés that, in the end, do not convince. In this story, precisely because it is so convincing otherwise, they simply jar. Which is - a pity.

actually, I simply sit down the moment my prompt tells me there's anothe Hugill in the box - and leave everything till I've finished reading...

dear Robert, if I may. I'm not at all surprised by your position on the list, for you deserve it.

an interesting start. And yet... Now having read chapter One and Two, I would have loved the opposision to be more psychologically complex/interesting. I.e.: the younger man would have been the physically less 'outstanding' one, but yet ultimately the dominant of the two. The older one would be the very handsome, on the surface more successful et cetera person, who would yet turn out to be the submissive one. In chapter Two, I do not understand how/why Blake, who is a senior associate, working in a different depratment of the firm, as well as, according to his own saying, being in a position wherein "our roles barely overlap", would yet constantly meet a junior associate like S and, moreover, accept all these menial tasks. It simply does not ring true - if only because their colleagues would have noted - and remarked on - this very strange constellation.

Friendship? Romance?. While the sex is steaming, I see no friendship, and even less romance. It does not make the story itself less convincing, but the content characteristics in the heading do not describe it at all.

Kryptonite? No. Surrender and Possession. And, obviously, not an inkling of what real life will entail....

given that he really understood E's words, and the real meaning of them, he'll make a great bard: spinning endless tales that will uplift his audience simply because they need to believe them.

Deceptively cozy - that is, I think, one way to describe this story as it unfolds. For, obviously - as in all RH's stories - there are undercurrents of social and psychologcial problems, addressed in seemingly simple words and sentences, but revealing fo those readers who hope, who want to see specifically these issues dealt with - while, on that other level of the story, being allowed yet to indulge in the ups and downs, the small joys and mishaps of daily life. Thanks, Robert.

a good chapter, really fleshing out JV's enthusiasm and professionalism. Ominous, too, though, for of course W wants to destroy JV - and his own brother in the process?

Genius, or whiskey-drinker, or both: I do not care, as long as you continue writing like this...i