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peter rietbergen

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Everything posted by peter rietbergen

  1. Great Expectations indeed. But whose, in this present-day tale...?
  2. peter rietbergen

    Chapter 18

    I feel that, perhaps, we should have been told more about the intimacy that, apparently, has developed between L and M. Or have I missed something? N For me, now, it is a rather sudden "given". I would assume that over time - how much is not clear - it (also) must have influenced Matteo's perceptions of himself and his choices, actions.
  3. peter rietbergen

    Chapter 17

    Maybe acknowledging the limitations and, indeed, limits of their choices will bring the two together again - at least as friends, sadder and wiser?
  4. peter rietbergen

    Chapter 15

    Excellent. The quiet despair of the waiting room scène was moving. So was/is the end of this tale, sentimental though it is. But the short paragraph that defines love is a gem Do we need a sequel? As for me, now: I think not. Some things should be left as they are : the memory of s remarkable story.
  5. peter rietbergen

    Chapter 14

    A cliffhanger? Yes. Do we need a happy end? Yes. Is it inevitable, given the story and its author? Yes, or... no. Would a death create new life? Yes.
  6. peter rietbergen

    Chapter 16

    I think all of us will gladly let you cogitate. Whatever you come up with, the story - especially its many ethical conundrums - is thought-provoking, and moreover: it is very well-told.
  7. peter rietbergen

    Chapter 13

    The main question, I think, is not whether the end of this tale satisfies the protagonists but whether we, the readers, are satisfied with their respective changes, conversions, et cetera. The author has set himself quite a task....
  8. peter rietbergen

    Chapter 16

    The young boy but did what M and G did, too. I must confess I cannot see how G could sit in silent judgment and square his own actions with his conscience. Actually, I doubt that, if denounced/betrayed, even M and G would escape the friars' decision to judge and punish - few people (especially of the upper class) were powerful enough to be allowed to practice buggery, however secretive. If only therefore I do not think M and G would have spent the night together. If one of them were a patrician and the other a low-born page, it might be different...
  9. That IS a pity. Why not a short solo cantata: Iphigeneia (for a deep female voice, like A's friend...) and cimbalon/zyther....
  10. Get Neil into the crowd....and, far more interestingly: let us hear a cimbalon piece by the "real" Hugill.
  11. peter rietbergen

    Chapter 12

    An ongoing experiment - open source. How very apt. The Cheetham scène was pure fun.
  12. peter rietbergen

    Chapter 15

    One can but hope that those of us who choose, or are, by our conscience, compelled to serve a system - because we always need a system - yet will know when the system has lost its first purpose: to serve the people. Then we'll have to decide whether or not to continue serving it, or start to change it, demolish it, even. And yes, then the ones who have chosen to serve as the system's symbols of power without ever asking if its moral foundations are still solid may have to go, too.
  13. peter rietbergen

    Chapter 14

    Fascinating. As well as unsettling, ethically, morally. Rereading this chapter I realise that It'll always try to be the useful one, because it forces me to make choices, be human. The pious seldom make choices, seldom show mercy...they are, indeed, seldom human.
  14. peter rietbergen

    Chapter 11

    Oh, this was absolutely hilarious. I simply loved the turning of the table, though the process still is partial and, perhaps temporary. But to a sentimental sucker - yes: I am he - this is delightful.
  15. peter rietbergen

    Chapter 13

    If you add strawberries to the limoncello I'm your man.
  16. peter rietbergen

    Chapter 13

    Sixtus iv certainly wasn't a saint. But let's not idolise Lorenzo de'Medici and his family...Power and greed dictated policy on both sides.
  17. peter rietbergen

    Chapter 13

    Shouldn't Lauretta have been at the unveiling - for a number of reasons, for further enlightenment?
  18. After lovely stories with quite a variety of "artistic types" finally one bang on in the "real" Hugillverse. So let's all enjoy the music of the spheres...
  19. peter rietbergen

    Chapter 10

    The second lesson was both hilarious and moving. Meanwhile: who is exactly Higgins and who Eliza in this Shaw play remains to be seen.
  20. peter rietbergen

    Chapter 8

    Even so: can a profound change bring redemption, an absolution for a past of violence, cruelty. Ben's....
  21. peter rietbergen

    Chapter 11

    A Dominican Friar... But not Girolamo Savonarola... Anyway, Dominicaans came in varieties of spiritual calling. As staunch traditionalists or as preachers of a form of Christianity that was at variance with both papal power and ideology and the oppression of secular rulers. Inspiring as well as dangerous to follow. Another great chapter, especially in analysing Lauretta's (slowly changing?) feelings .
  22. peter rietbergen

    Chapter 7

    Belonging to Ben. A terrifying prospect, unless Ben changes...But can the image of Keith's punishment ever be unseen?
  23. peter rietbergen

    Chapter 10

    Actually, believing in the power of Rome had nothing to do with being religious or pious. The popes had an army. And yes, they commandes men's souls through the threat of Hell and Damnation. If Gianluca really were religious, he would not indulge in sodomy/buggery, for that was considered a mortal sin.
  24. How come Sofia and Aiden are always coming in when Robert is in a private conversation with Julian?
  25. peter rietbergen

    Chapter 10

    I did not have the impression either M or Gianluca are spupposed to be particularly religious, let alone pious.
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