What is your opinion?
Such a hearty sandwich, is Elegy.
"You are undeniably skilled at creating glimpses of sci-fi worlds, and the way you injected bits of how life on the moon came to be within your narrative is spot on. Just enough groundwork for the reader to stand on. Just enough for a short story. The nomenclature just begs to be absorbed, like water to a dry sponge. Diana, Dian, ganja, accha, sahi, shiner, Glowbank, frame. I wish I knew more of this world and more of how the cultures came to meld! You packed a whole lotta delicious innards into three chapters. I mean, shit, you paint words into sweeping dioramas. Colors (here, orange; there, grey; still, red and black, black and red) abound, sounds (whirs and hums, and that freakin' piano--that was unexpected) control the tempo, smells (curry and formaldehyde indeed; gag me please) surprise. All squished between two buns of haunting scenes that left me feeling decidedly unhinged. <<WARNING: SPOILERS BELOW>> Elegy is a story about a psychopath named Edwin who (maybe?) dated Lia in the past. However, she was only with him for his money ("eyes like coins" and Edwin Coin, nice.) and after she finished with him, she moved onto Monty. Cue Win befriending Monty, luring them both to the Darkin house, and . . . bad things happen. Course, you don't know Win's crazy until the House, and I like it that way. Elements of sci-fi, a whisper of politics in the background, the sudden appearance of a classic Gothic ghost story (god, why does every haunted mansion have long, dark corridors??), and overarching social critique. <<I'M SERIOUS, SPOILERS BELOW! GO READ IT FIRST!>> It seems to me that Lia deserved to die for more than just "taking advantage of men who fawned over her." Her use of eye-bulbs is a sin likened to a fault of many people today. Our lives so saturated with pictures and videos, that the substance and meaning behind them are lost. People take selfies just to take selfies, not to truly preserve and acknowledge them as memories should be. They smile, and smile, and smile, and then they die, like Edwin's mom. Like Edwin's memory of his age. Whoo. Like I said, hearty sandwich. And I'm sure many literary references still went straight over my head."
Love it!
"You have a great writing style and a lovely way of describing the characters and the scene. You sucked me in immediately, and I'm intrigued to learn more about this world. Some of your imagery is really haunting and stays with me! Hope you update more soon:)"
Layered, personal, and downright creepy
"Elegy is jam-packed with literary goodies. The author really knows his stuff. From classical references to Charon ("coins," Rao = oar, Cherona = Acheron, a river in Greek mythology) and a plot that essentially mimics Edgar Allen Poe's "The Cask of Amontillado," Elegy is a very literate piece. But all that pretentious stuff aside, it's a great story even if you don't get most of its allusions. The themes include meditations on death, the afterlife, and loneliness. The fact that the author left the history of the haunted house obscure is kind of a shame, but in the end leaves it all up for interpretation. Excellent read."
THRILLING
"<<<SPOILERS>>> I don't even know where to begin! This story was excellent from start to finish. I only have two problems, really: 1. I wish the trio's time in Darkin House had been longer. This would have given time for more dialogue (which you're so fucking great at) and a little more character development (for Lia especially!) 2. I'm not completely sure I understand . . . anything. I'd like to know what other readers think of it, but the ending is really ambiguous (intentionally so?), and I guess what I'm trying to say is that it's a little incoherent. But, at the same time, it sort of works! Speaking of the ending: holy crap was that last line GENIUS. Chill-inducing, really. I love the wordplay there, and the one between Darkin/darken. O&E Transportation Services = Orpheus and Eurydice? I only thought of this because of the chapter name. Anyway, great story! Time to go read your other stuff!"
