The Vicious Circle
'Hell is personal, Dorothy'50 total reviews
Comment from sugardog
Wow...wow...wow! Amazing story, characters, and writing. You came up with the most clever, smart piece for a story and a contest that I think I have ever read here. Sooooo good! Love your banter between the two characters-great character choices, BTW. Worked so well. You are a smart writer and the best on this site. I pictured this in scenes as if it were a movie. You're truly amazing. You will win this hands down...I've got a feeling.
Dana
reply by the author on 06-Apr-2012
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Wow...wow...wow! Amazing story, characters, and writing. You came up with the most clever, smart piece for a story and a contest that I think I have ever read here. Sooooo good! Love your banter between the two characters-great character choices, BTW. Worked so well. You are a smart writer and the best on this site. I pictured this in scenes as if it were a movie. You're truly amazing. You will win this hands down...I've got a feeling.
Dana
Comment Written 05-Apr-2012
reply by the author on 06-Apr-2012
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Ah, Sug, thank you so much for this terrific review! I'm truly delighted you liked this story, and you saw it cinematically. I'm going to frame this review. Thanks again, Dana. Peace, Lee
Comment from Debbiecrosslin
This is an exceptional piece. I love the battle of wits within the story of the two Parker and Clemens. It is very humorous, even the mention of The Beverly Hillbillies. Wasn't Hemingway part of the roundtable? Great writing! Debbie
reply by the author on 05-Apr-2012
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This is an exceptional piece. I love the battle of wits within the story of the two Parker and Clemens. It is very humorous, even the mention of The Beverly Hillbillies. Wasn't Hemingway part of the roundtable? Great writing! Debbie
Comment Written 05-Apr-2012
reply by the author on 05-Apr-2012
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Debbie, thank you so much for this special review. You are correct that Hemingway was writing at this time, and associated with some of the members, but he was never a part of the Round Table. I'm so glad you enjoyed this. Peace, Lee
Comment from psalmist
I really enjoyed this, Lee. Marvelous voices for the characters. You haven't been visiting any remote park benches lately, have you? It took me a few paragraphs, but at the mention of Huckleberry, I realized the man was Mark Twain. While I've heard of most of the other writers, I confess, I have not read their works, shame on me. Great use of the line, "The man simply appeared---as if formed from the mist..." as your beginning and ending. Good luck in the contest. Linda
reply by the author on 05-Apr-2012
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I really enjoyed this, Lee. Marvelous voices for the characters. You haven't been visiting any remote park benches lately, have you? It took me a few paragraphs, but at the mention of Huckleberry, I realized the man was Mark Twain. While I've heard of most of the other writers, I confess, I have not read their works, shame on me. Great use of the line, "The man simply appeared---as if formed from the mist..." as your beginning and ending. Good luck in the contest. Linda
Comment Written 05-Apr-2012
reply by the author on 05-Apr-2012
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Linda, thank you so much. The twenties were a great spawning ground for American writers---they were considered celebrities.
I'm so glad you enjoyed. Peace, Lee
Comment from dbmccarter
Very apt dialogue for both of these writers and an interesting vision of hell. A great use of the prompt and the photo.
reply by the author on 05-Apr-2012
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Very apt dialogue for both of these writers and an interesting vision of hell. A great use of the prompt and the photo.
Comment Written 05-Apr-2012
reply by the author on 05-Apr-2012
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thank you, dbmccarter. I'm delighted you enjoyed the story. Peace, Lee
Comment from IndianaIrish
WOO HOO!! (that's for having a sixer for you!!) Absolutely outstanding story, Lee, in every aspect of what makes a reader sit back, swear, sigh and wish they had written such an exceptional piece of workmanship. I honestly don't think you could have picked a better pair to word-box in this personal hell. (what a magnificent idea) I have an idea that your imagination is pairing some more to gather on that bench ... well, I hope so because your imagination takes me places I want to return to time after time. I wanted to tell you the parts I liked and the lines that grabbed me, but I decided to just let you know that it's your talented writing is what made this what it is. Besides, you know the parts I liked.
Astounding, hw. Astounding. Congratulations on the best story I've read in a long time.
Indy
reply by the author on 05-Apr-2012
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WOO HOO!! (that's for having a sixer for you!!) Absolutely outstanding story, Lee, in every aspect of what makes a reader sit back, swear, sigh and wish they had written such an exceptional piece of workmanship. I honestly don't think you could have picked a better pair to word-box in this personal hell. (what a magnificent idea) I have an idea that your imagination is pairing some more to gather on that bench ... well, I hope so because your imagination takes me places I want to return to time after time. I wanted to tell you the parts I liked and the lines that grabbed me, but I decided to just let you know that it's your talented writing is what made this what it is. Besides, you know the parts I liked.
Astounding, hw. Astounding. Congratulations on the best story I've read in a long time.
Indy
Comment Written 04-Apr-2012
reply by the author on 05-Apr-2012
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Indy, thank you so much for this spectacular review. 'Word-box'---I like that a lot. I'm not sure I could pull off other 'bench' stories, but I do think this could be the first act of a 3-act play. Maybe Dorothy and Georgie in the second act, then back to Sam and Dorothy for the third. Thanks again, Indy for your your constant encouragement. Peace, Lee
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You're welcome, humpwhistle. I waited for the sixer it deserves.
Comment from Larrypic11
This is just outstanding. Lee. You asked and answered some awfully deep questions using historical references with great affect and effect. You certainly picked a group of wits to play with, or nit-wits, or nit-picks as some might feel. Just wonderful stuff. Be well. Larry
reply by the author on 04-Apr-2012
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This is just outstanding. Lee. You asked and answered some awfully deep questions using historical references with great affect and effect. You certainly picked a group of wits to play with, or nit-wits, or nit-picks as some might feel. Just wonderful stuff. Be well. Larry
Comment Written 04-Apr-2012
reply by the author on 04-Apr-2012
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Thank you, Larry. This review could not have come at a better time. Having a bad day. I thank you so much for the galaxy, and your understanding. Stay well, Larry. Peace, Lee
Comment from Cumbrianlass
Brilliant writing, Lee. What a concept! The dialogue is spot on - I could see every movement, nuance. I'm quite proud that I got who it was after the first paragraph - Clemens. Your description was perfect. I'm not familiar with all the writers, but this is, of course, Americana. I'm sure you can forgive this Brit for not being entirely versed in American literature.
They made us study English lit in school, for some strange reason! LOL!
Even so, it was a great read - somehow a little sad, forlorn. But you set a mood so well.
Loved it, my friend.
Av
x
reply by the author on 04-Apr-2012
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Brilliant writing, Lee. What a concept! The dialogue is spot on - I could see every movement, nuance. I'm quite proud that I got who it was after the first paragraph - Clemens. Your description was perfect. I'm not familiar with all the writers, but this is, of course, Americana. I'm sure you can forgive this Brit for not being entirely versed in American literature.
They made us study English lit in school, for some strange reason! LOL!
Even so, it was a great read - somehow a little sad, forlorn. But you set a mood so well.
Loved it, my friend.
Av
x
Comment Written 04-Apr-2012
reply by the author on 04-Apr-2012
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Thank you, Av, and I apologize for the American-centricity of this story. But don't feel bad, plenty of Americans have never heard of The Algonquin Round Table, either. The 1920's was a great time to be a writer here. I'm delighted you enjoyed, friend. Peace, Lee
Comment from Sissy
Hey Lee,
Ooh, so enjoyed this! Dorothy Parker vs. Mark Twain. Totally interesting idea - and you really pull it off here! The idea of Samuel Clemens never being able to read the books/stories of the authors he meets as is own personal hell is a pretty awesome idea, Lee.
Great description here. We can really see Clemens clearly, and your dialogue really enhances the description you give us of both.
Wasn't there a documentary done on the Algonquin Round Table done in the late eighties/early nineties or something like that? I had a playwright as a creative writing teacher and I remember him talking about it.
Love the dialogue here, Lee.
Vicious circle/Dante's nine circles of hell - really cool tie-in.
A few comments:
"But if you want me to riff off on the topic of 'premature', darling, I've been saving some doozies that will probably be right up your wife's diary."
(ahhahaaa!)
a more culturally-enlightened crowd
(kick the hyphen. If you have an adverb as first part of a compound adjective, no hyphen.)
So loved this, Lee!
Sis
reply by the author on 04-Apr-2012
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Hey Lee,
Ooh, so enjoyed this! Dorothy Parker vs. Mark Twain. Totally interesting idea - and you really pull it off here! The idea of Samuel Clemens never being able to read the books/stories of the authors he meets as is own personal hell is a pretty awesome idea, Lee.
Great description here. We can really see Clemens clearly, and your dialogue really enhances the description you give us of both.
Wasn't there a documentary done on the Algonquin Round Table done in the late eighties/early nineties or something like that? I had a playwright as a creative writing teacher and I remember him talking about it.
Love the dialogue here, Lee.
Vicious circle/Dante's nine circles of hell - really cool tie-in.
A few comments:
"But if you want me to riff off on the topic of 'premature', darling, I've been saving some doozies that will probably be right up your wife's diary."
(ahhahaaa!)
a more culturally-enlightened crowd
(kick the hyphen. If you have an adverb as first part of a compound adjective, no hyphen.)
So loved this, Lee!
Sis
Comment Written 03-Apr-2012
reply by the author on 04-Apr-2012
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Thank you so much, Sissy! I'm delighted you enjoyed this little adventure. I had a lot of fun with this, but it was rather humbling, trying to speak for these two. Thank you for your fine comments and the galaxy of stars---I suspect you are quite careful with them. Peace, Lee
Comment from purrfect tale
Brilliant as usual. How am I suppose to surpass you in the rankings if you keep writing like this? If the Twain that still lives in my head is close to the personality of the real man, then you did an excellent job of conveying his wit and temperament. What a perfect hell for an author.
reply by the author on 04-Apr-2012
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Brilliant as usual. How am I suppose to surpass you in the rankings if you keep writing like this? If the Twain that still lives in my head is close to the personality of the real man, then you did an excellent job of conveying his wit and temperament. What a perfect hell for an author.
Comment Written 03-Apr-2012
reply by the author on 04-Apr-2012
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Hey, purr, thank you for the galaxy. I suppose I channelled more of Hal Holbrook than Sam Clemens, but his is the image I see, and the voice I hear. I'm really glad you enjoyed. Thanks again. Peace, Lee
Comment from MumEsGirl
Spooky stuff. I had to say it was both modern and old at the same time. Very original approach to this one.
Must definately have a look at some of these guys.
hugs
kate
reply by the author on 04-Apr-2012
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Spooky stuff. I had to say it was both modern and old at the same time. Very original approach to this one.
Must definately have a look at some of these guys.
hugs
kate
Comment Written 03-Apr-2012
reply by the author on 04-Apr-2012
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Thank you, kate. I'm delighted you enjoyed. Peace, Lee
