Vulture Feast
Sometimes childhood is best when not remembered.2 total reviews
Comment from Tara Maxfield
While I find your story of quality writing, I have to admit it made me defensive and angry at your father and you as the author. I found your opinion of me, as your reader, wholly lacking and misplaced. I was horrified at your experience and there was no joy in reading it other than its literary worth. For what it's worth, I don't have vulture qualities or long to hear tales of child abuse. I will listen and I will be supportive, but I urge you to reconsider your tone and words. The attack on your readers is why I'm having to give it the score I am. The displacement of old anger and hurt conveyed to your reader could be viewed as abuse, too. It's good to get it out, just be careful how you do it. I wish hope and healing for you and there are plenty of resources and kind people who would be willing to help you process this and set yourself free of it lest the cycle should repeat. Best wishes to you. If I've misunderstood anything, please let me know.
reply by the author on 27-Sep-2022
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While I find your story of quality writing, I have to admit it made me defensive and angry at your father and you as the author. I found your opinion of me, as your reader, wholly lacking and misplaced. I was horrified at your experience and there was no joy in reading it other than its literary worth. For what it's worth, I don't have vulture qualities or long to hear tales of child abuse. I will listen and I will be supportive, but I urge you to reconsider your tone and words. The attack on your readers is why I'm having to give it the score I am. The displacement of old anger and hurt conveyed to your reader could be viewed as abuse, too. It's good to get it out, just be careful how you do it. I wish hope and healing for you and there are plenty of resources and kind people who would be willing to help you process this and set yourself free of it lest the cycle should repeat. Best wishes to you. If I've misunderstood anything, please let me know.
Comment Written 27-Sep-2022
reply by the author on 27-Sep-2022
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I make it a rule of thump to not defend myself in a less than encouraging review. You asked for me to respond if you had misunderstood anything. If you read the author's note about this piece, I explained that I do not have this negative view of readers. I was trying to stretch my writing skill by imatating the style of a great writer. Edgar Allan Poe was a great writer of dark suspence. The fact that my entry left you with every feeling Poe could produce in his own writing tells me that I have succeeded in my test. The contest is for memories of parenthood. Not all parents wear halos. I am truly sorry my entry offended you.
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I did not previously see your disclaimer, so I changed my rating. I understand a bit better now what you say you were going for, but I don't think this was the place to play that game. It took away so much from the piece and was just a negative distraction. I doubt that in reality my reaction will be very unique. I read your story, really. And, I cried for you as a child and as an adult. And, it was heartfelt and meaningful and the other stuff took away so much from you sharing this painful memory and was like a slap to the face for someone who was willing to take this ride with you. Just the wrong venue totally (in my opinion).
I wish you would consider editing it out and let the story be the story. No side show. But, I respect you as the author to make your own decisions about content, and I can only offer my opinion.
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P.S. Poe was my first love. I never knew of him to write in this way and I've ready every piece by him as far as I know. Again, maybe I'm overlooking something and I concede that.
Comment from Douglas Goff
Wow. So many of us were raised by guys like this.
My two cents:
my bicycle had been left in easy vision at the foot of
(Left visible is cleaner)
"Shut up." My father yelled
Should be :
"Shut up," my father yelled
The last part is very very very (yes three verys) nice.
Keep up the nice work!
reply by the author on 27-Sep-2022
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Wow. So many of us were raised by guys like this.
My two cents:
my bicycle had been left in easy vision at the foot of
(Left visible is cleaner)
"Shut up." My father yelled
Should be :
"Shut up," my father yelled
The last part is very very very (yes three verys) nice.
Keep up the nice work!
Comment Written 27-Sep-2022
reply by the author on 27-Sep-2022
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Thank you for your helpful review and generous rating. Three verys? I am deeply honored.
