Short Stories
Viewing comments for Chapter 3 "Books and Tea Parties"A collection of short stories
2 total reviews
Comment from Cass Carlton
I used to have a "friend" called Jessica. She looked very like me, was married to a nice man and had a darling son the image of mine.Sometimes when the money wasn't enough or the gas bottles ran out before I could pay for them, the world became something to escape from. So, I would "take myself off to Jessica"s house" and have coffee and a chat with her and return feeling encouraged and able to put the pieces back together.
Jessica was an imaginary person, but she became real to me and an actual member of my family.No one ever knew about her, but without her calm, reasssuring presence my attitude to life would have been far more erratic and stormy than it was. She's retired now ( like me) and spends her days writing with an on-line Writers' group (like me) cheers Cass
reply by the author on 24-Jul-2023
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I used to have a "friend" called Jessica. She looked very like me, was married to a nice man and had a darling son the image of mine.Sometimes when the money wasn't enough or the gas bottles ran out before I could pay for them, the world became something to escape from. So, I would "take myself off to Jessica"s house" and have coffee and a chat with her and return feeling encouraged and able to put the pieces back together.
Jessica was an imaginary person, but she became real to me and an actual member of my family.No one ever knew about her, but without her calm, reasssuring presence my attitude to life would have been far more erratic and stormy than it was. She's retired now ( like me) and spends her days writing with an on-line Writers' group (like me) cheers Cass
Comment Written 24-Jul-2023
reply by the author on 24-Jul-2023
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Thank you for this sharing and the stars!
Comment from kiwisteveh
A sweet autobiographical tale explaining your love of books and your coming to understand the true identity of your 'imaginary' friend.
In the interests of not including anything in a story not strictly necessary to the plot or the characterisation, I am wondering why you chose to include the extra detail about your mother renting out the basement. I kept waiting for the basement-dweller to become part of the story, but no, he is never seen or heard from again.
Perhaps you mention him to emphasise the crowded house, a factor in your decision to frequent the haven of the attic, but if so that point slid past me as I read.
As I said, a sweet tale, but I do think something is missing. maybe it's the ambiguity of what is the real heart of the story. Is it your love of books and reading, or is it the 'friend', who seems to be a precursor to religious faith? Neither one seems to dominate to the extent where I can say, "Ah, that's what it's really about!"
I hope that makes sense. Still a well-told story and I wish you luck in the contest.
Steve
reply by the author on 24-Jul-2023
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A sweet autobiographical tale explaining your love of books and your coming to understand the true identity of your 'imaginary' friend.
In the interests of not including anything in a story not strictly necessary to the plot or the characterisation, I am wondering why you chose to include the extra detail about your mother renting out the basement. I kept waiting for the basement-dweller to become part of the story, but no, he is never seen or heard from again.
Perhaps you mention him to emphasise the crowded house, a factor in your decision to frequent the haven of the attic, but if so that point slid past me as I read.
As I said, a sweet tale, but I do think something is missing. maybe it's the ambiguity of what is the real heart of the story. Is it your love of books and reading, or is it the 'friend', who seems to be a precursor to religious faith? Neither one seems to dominate to the extent where I can say, "Ah, that's what it's really about!"
I hope that makes sense. Still a well-told story and I wish you luck in the contest.
Steve
Comment Written 24-Jul-2023
reply by the author on 24-Jul-2023
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Thank you. I was keeping the bit about the basement being rented out to emphasize the need for privacy since the seven of us lived in a limited space. I agree that I could connect the thoughts better. Thanks again.