Short Stories
Viewing comments for Chapter 10 "The Public Library"A collection of short stories
9 total reviews
Comment from Paul Manton
Hello again, Michelle. Half way through this review, my screen disappeared and so did the review. Grrrr! Second time: Yes, the guardians need guarding, the healers need healing, so I'm sure that the therapists need therapy - be it retail, digestive or in this case imaginative - to be taken out of themselves, to a private, safe zone where they can recalibrate and refresh their weary minds.
Very little to say on the writing technique: a very successful personification, sustained throughout the piece - and indeed, an anthropomorphism as the inanimate books now become sentient in the mind of the therapist. Is she nuts? Quite the opposite - this is her sanctuary against the needs of the 'traumatized' - and without it, they would not have such a good doctor.
Good piece. Thank you, Michelle.
Paul
reply by the author on 11-Jul-2023
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Hello again, Michelle. Half way through this review, my screen disappeared and so did the review. Grrrr! Second time: Yes, the guardians need guarding, the healers need healing, so I'm sure that the therapists need therapy - be it retail, digestive or in this case imaginative - to be taken out of themselves, to a private, safe zone where they can recalibrate and refresh their weary minds.
Very little to say on the writing technique: a very successful personification, sustained throughout the piece - and indeed, an anthropomorphism as the inanimate books now become sentient in the mind of the therapist. Is she nuts? Quite the opposite - this is her sanctuary against the needs of the 'traumatized' - and without it, they would not have such a good doctor.
Good piece. Thank you, Michelle.
Paul
Comment Written 11-Jul-2023
reply by the author on 11-Jul-2023
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Thank you again. I appreciate your understanding.
Comment from Thesis
My daughter also shares your need to escape through books. Like you, she feels comfortable in allowing her mind to wander into a story for temporary solace when needed. Last year, with a myriad of issues on her plate, she read over 170 books and has grown her personal library to 400.
I'm happy you both find it a safe, soothing place to relax.
reply by the author on 10-Jul-2023
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My daughter also shares your need to escape through books. Like you, she feels comfortable in allowing her mind to wander into a story for temporary solace when needed. Last year, with a myriad of issues on her plate, she read over 170 books and has grown her personal library to 400.
I'm happy you both find it a safe, soothing place to relax.
Comment Written 10-Jul-2023
reply by the author on 10-Jul-2023
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Yes. It seems to be a common refuge for all book lovers. Thank you.
Comment from JSD
Beautifully written and so true! No electronic format can supplant the feeling of turning actual pages and the smell of books is unique and essential. Thank you for writing this lovely piece.
reply by the author on 10-Jul-2023
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Beautifully written and so true! No electronic format can supplant the feeling of turning actual pages and the smell of books is unique and essential. Thank you for writing this lovely piece.
Comment Written 10-Jul-2023
reply by the author on 10-Jul-2023
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Thank you. I'm glad you enjoyed this. Another library lover!
Comment from Sally Law
Welcome to FanStory, Michelle! How wonderful to read your short story today. What a calling on your life to many. I admire what you do. I'm sure you're days are filled and sanctuary time is needed.
Sending you my best today as always, and my very best wishes for the upcoming contest.
Sally Law :))
reply by the author on 09-Jul-2023
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Welcome to FanStory, Michelle! How wonderful to read your short story today. What a calling on your life to many. I admire what you do. I'm sure you're days are filled and sanctuary time is needed.
Sending you my best today as always, and my very best wishes for the upcoming contest.
Sally Law :))
Comment Written 09-Jul-2023
reply by the author on 09-Jul-2023
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Thank you for your kind words. I must read your work.
Comment from Bill Schott
This flash fiction story, Refuge, brings the readers into this secret/well-known sanctuary for readers. Although the buildings may be disappearing, the escape is still available.
reply by the author on 08-Jul-2023
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This flash fiction story, Refuge, brings the readers into this secret/well-known sanctuary for readers. Although the buildings may be disappearing, the escape is still available.
Comment Written 08-Jul-2023
reply by the author on 08-Jul-2023
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Yes. We must create our own refuges.
Comment from Dolly'sPoems
How wonderful this write is Michelle and I am with you all the way here. When I worked in the city many years ago I would spend my lunch hour in the library and would eat my lunch whilst I read. There was a serious of 13 books, and I read them all, I can't even remember the author's name now but they were a set of books about a nurse who decided to kill those patients who she decided did not deserve to live! Ha ha ha, she killed them all in different ways. She thought she was a good person and in the end someone knocked her door and when she answered they shot her! That was the end of that series of books. I soon moved on, but it was a moment in time that I shall never forget. I loved your fine words here Michelle, love Dolly x x x
reply by the author on 08-Jul-2023
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How wonderful this write is Michelle and I am with you all the way here. When I worked in the city many years ago I would spend my lunch hour in the library and would eat my lunch whilst I read. There was a serious of 13 books, and I read them all, I can't even remember the author's name now but they were a set of books about a nurse who decided to kill those patients who she decided did not deserve to live! Ha ha ha, she killed them all in different ways. She thought she was a good person and in the end someone knocked her door and when she answered they shot her! That was the end of that series of books. I soon moved on, but it was a moment in time that I shall never forget. I loved your fine words here Michelle, love Dolly x x x
Comment Written 08-Jul-2023
reply by the author on 08-Jul-2023
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Thank you, Dolly. I just wrote the truth and knew us book lovers would feel the same. A sad thing is happening here in the states. Many small libraries are closing due to dwindling interest in hardcopy books. So we just have to create our own!
Comment from kiwisteveh
Hi, Michelle. Welcome to FanStory. I hope you like it here.
I believe you have misunderstood the meaning of 'requiem.' It refers to a farewell to someone (or something) that has died. I approached your post thinking it would be about a library being torn down or simply closed. the word 'refuge' which you use in your last sentence may have been more appropriate in the title, but I'm not sure you can change the title at this stage.
Nevertheless, I enjoyed your reflection about the library as a place of refuge, a place filled with 'friends', some older and tattier than others. Your ending is particularly poignant as you reveal your true reason for needing a refuge from the real and traumatised world.
Steve
reply by the author on 08-Jul-2023
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Hi, Michelle. Welcome to FanStory. I hope you like it here.
I believe you have misunderstood the meaning of 'requiem.' It refers to a farewell to someone (or something) that has died. I approached your post thinking it would be about a library being torn down or simply closed. the word 'refuge' which you use in your last sentence may have been more appropriate in the title, but I'm not sure you can change the title at this stage.
Nevertheless, I enjoyed your reflection about the library as a place of refuge, a place filled with 'friends', some older and tattier than others. Your ending is particularly poignant as you reveal your true reason for needing a refuge from the real and traumatised world.
Steve
Comment Written 07-Jul-2023
reply by the author on 08-Jul-2023
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Yes you are absolutely right. I appreciate this feedback. Thank you.
Comment from Niki Marie
This piece is Outstanding. I completely agree. With every line.. I love a good escape.. we have the same friends.. Very clever also I might add. Nicely done .
reply by the author on 07-Jul-2023
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This piece is Outstanding. I completely agree. With every line.. I love a good escape.. we have the same friends.. Very clever also I might add. Nicely done .
Comment Written 03-Jul-2023
reply by the author on 07-Jul-2023
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I'm so glad you could feel it also. We book lovers are never alone!
Comment from Rachelle Allen
Niiiiiiice one, Newbie!! I felt all kinds of ensconced and safe within the walls you created with your words. You were keen on including lots of my senses: seeing the tiny people below, smelling the leather coats (I imagined touching them, as well...), closing eyes and hearing the silence of the refuge.
Very visceral and SOO well done. Good luck to you in the contest!!!
You have fine writing skills. I'm going to keep my eye on your talent!
reply by the author on 07-Jul-2023
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Niiiiiiice one, Newbie!! I felt all kinds of ensconced and safe within the walls you created with your words. You were keen on including lots of my senses: seeing the tiny people below, smelling the leather coats (I imagined touching them, as well...), closing eyes and hearing the silence of the refuge.
Very visceral and SOO well done. Good luck to you in the contest!!!
You have fine writing skills. I'm going to keep my eye on your talent!
Comment Written 03-Jul-2023
reply by the author on 07-Jul-2023
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Thank you so much for the encouragement, Rachelle. I am glad that my words could be giving a good sensation . I think that is why I like poetry.
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You write poetry like you like it. It flows easily for you.