Reviews from

My Friend Across the Fence

The hardest lesson I've ever learned

33 total reviews 
Comment from Liz O'Neill
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

People are damned if they do and damn if they don't: "At first I defended Frankie, assuring the other boys that he was attracted to girls like the rest of us. But one day two older boys approached me and one said, "The way you keep defending Frankie, we think you might be a homo too." This still the case, not a lot has changed: "I just couldn't risk being seen associating with Frankie." This was a poignant story. You have an excellent message. I would give you six stars but I don't have any left I can give you an A+ though.

 Comment Written 20-Jan-2024

Comment from muffinmama
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

This is a beautifully written story about friendship and love and the agony of rejecting a loved friend because of peer pressure.
You have been brutally honest about your 'mistake', but Frankie was right, the world is not always forgiving. You both lost a part of yourselves when the relationship broke apart, but you found it in time to start the healing process.

Thank you for sharing.

 Comment Written 16-Jul-2021


reply by the author on 16-Jul-2021
    Oh, thanks so much for that great review, Mama. Your words touch on exactly what I was trying to convey here. And thanks for the 6-star rating. That's very encouraging too.
Comment from ShirleyT1
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

What a beautiful, yet sad story. I'm so glad that you reconnected with Frankie. Our world can be so cruel by not being able to see the true person. Great writing and great story of life. Best wishes in the contest.

 Comment Written 16-Jul-2021


reply by the author on 16-Jul-2021
    Thank you for reading this, Shirley, and for your kind words.
Comment from RPSaxena
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

Hello Justin Tyme,
Nice piece of Biographical Non-Fiction having lucid as well as perfectly matching the theme phraseology, captivating flow throughout from the beginning to the end, and beautifully depicting youngsters' sex related complexities.
The last two paragraphs are particularly noteworthy.
BEST OF LUCK in the contest.

 Comment Written 16-Jul-2021


reply by the author on 16-Jul-2021
    Hey there, RP, thanks so much for reading and reviewing this story. Your words cover exactly what I was trying to convey. And thanks for that six star review. That's cool too!
reply by RPSaxena on 17-Jul-2021
    Justin Tyme, Most Welcome!
    With best wishes,
    ~ RP
Comment from Dolly'sPoems
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

This is a sad and heartfelt story and Frankie was right, the world has too much prejudice and we are manipulated and fall into line so that we are not targeted by it. This is an honest and sensitive write, much enjoyed, love Dolly x

 Comment Written 16-Jul-2021


reply by the author on 16-Jul-2021
    Hi Dolly, thanks so much for your review and your kind words on this story. It is appreciated.
Comment from Tpa
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

Bravo to you on your last sentence of your excellent story. It was ashamed during the previous years, homosexuality was a dirty word. Slowly, they are accepted more by society today than in the past. I'm sorry for the passing of your friend and the pain he indulged. GOOD STORY.

 Comment Written 15-Jul-2021


reply by the author on 16-Jul-2021
    Hi TPA, thank you so much for reading and reviewing this story, and for your kind words.
Comment from LJbutterfly
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

This is a well written and captivating true story that is heartwarming and has an unspoken message for today's time. It develops smoothly from beginning to end. There is one line you may want to review:

"I'd only vaguely heard of this concept and it aeemed to throw everything out of whack." Did you mean "Seemed" to throw everything?

Well done. Best wishes in the contest.

 Comment Written 15-Jul-2021


reply by the author on 16-Jul-2021
    Hi LJ
    Thanks so much for reading and reviewing this story. I appreciate it.
Comment from elchupakabra
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

I think this is a really important story to tell. I enjoy that you were accountable for yourself and ultimately re-connected with your friend at the end. Really excellent work sharing your story, thank you. Good luck in the contest. Later daze.

 Comment Written 15-Jul-2021


reply by the author on 16-Jul-2021
    Hi Elchup (awesome screen name by the way), thanks for reading and reviewing this story. And for that 6-star rating. That's also very encouraging.
Comment from L. Kalere
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

I'd like to think that today, society is ready to accept people's differences, and am always surprised to hear otherwise. This is a difficult story to read, but it's impactful and teaches a valuable lesson. Well done, congratulations.
Linda
I do think your friend would be pleased.

 Comment Written 14-Jul-2021


reply by the author on 16-Jul-2021
    Thank you LK for reading this story and for your kind words on it.
Comment from JudyE
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

This was a very moving story and I'm sure it's been, and maybe still is, repeated even today. I can relate to being left in the dark about all things sexual. That's mostly the way it was back then. I'm glad you and Frankie had the chance to reconnect. Good luck in the contest.

 Comment Written 14-Jul-2021


reply by the author on 14-Jul-2021
    Hi Judy, thanks for reading and reviewing this story and for your encouraging words.