A new update! Thank you for this! This has been my favorite story for years. Thanks for keeping these characters alive. Looking forward to reading this over the weekend.
Another wonderful chapter. Thank you! After every interval it's always such a pleasure to come back to this story.
I have so many thoughts. Like the narrative structure. This chapter takes place after Joe ostensibly started writing the story in 2008, which he started with "the ending is happier than the beginning". And the cliffhanger ending. Hope you won't keep us waiting too long to meet Jake. Will Joe end up falling in love (again, I guess, but consciously this time) and subverting his whole rejection of conventional romance? What will Joe be like at Chris's wedding? How is Joe coping with Covid lockdown in 2020??
Saw your tweet about all the things you left out of this chapter - when you finish the story one day, if you miss the characters, maybe you'll want to go back and write more subplots. Like the Star Wars universe, but better.
“Nevertheless, he persisted”. Thank you for this chapter JPM! Joe didn’t completely fall apart after college. And, Jake!, please don’t break Joe’s heart.
As any mother of a newborn will tell you, one of the first questions they get is "When are you going to have another child?". So, when are you going to post another chapter?
That was an amazing chapter, albeit a heartwrenching one. I feel like Joe is kind of isolated in a way? And I've just realized what a big loss not having his writing job has been.
JPM770, There are so many great details in the new installment, along with the continuing theme of friendship, it's wonderful. Thank you.
Taking The Power Broker to Fire Island made me laugh.
That Chris, whose favorite adjective was "interesting," once used the antonym "dull" to dismiss the woman he is now engaged to is perfectly horrifying. JPM770, bestow some enlightenment, show some mercy to one of your great characters, Christian Riis. I have been rooting that he would turn out to be happily bi, so this particular twist is truly crushing. Save him! I know this won't happen, but have Joe throw open the church doors at the wedding and yell "Elaine!"
The text exchange with Michelle regarding Chris's engagement was artfully. "You're doing okay?" could be no more than a friendly inquiry, or it could be an invitation to open up about Chris from the other upstairs resident at the Hamilton house. Despite Joe's certainty that no one knew, Michelle must have known, or suspected, the connection between Joe and Chris. They were frequently together, neither had girlfriends. It's Occam's razor again.
Excellent catch! I went back and re-read Chapter 16 -- the chapter from Chris' perspective -- to find that mention Jenna. Like you noted, Jenna was NOT 'interesting'. Chapter 16 is my favorite chapter of this entire amazing piece of literature. It is incredibly well written; so much is conveyed by having Chris talk about himself in second person through most of the chapter.
Holy shit, you magnificent bastard. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteA new update! Thank you for this! This has been my favorite story for years. Thanks for keeping these characters alive. Looking forward to reading this over the weekend.
ReplyDeleteWelcome back Joe! I’m glad to see this post! I’ve missed catching up with him!
ReplyDeleteYour description of Andy T is so very good - and I feel very seen. Another outstanding chapter. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteAnother wonderful chapter. Thank you! After every interval it's always such a pleasure to come back to this story.
ReplyDeleteI have so many thoughts. Like the narrative structure. This chapter takes place after Joe ostensibly started writing the story in 2008, which he started with "the ending is happier than the beginning". And the cliffhanger ending. Hope you won't keep us waiting too long to meet Jake. Will Joe end up falling in love (again, I guess, but consciously this time) and subverting his whole rejection of conventional romance? What will Joe be like at Chris's wedding? How is Joe coping with Covid lockdown in 2020??
Saw your tweet about all the things you left out of this chapter - when you finish the story one day, if you miss the characters, maybe you'll want to go back and write more subplots. Like the Star Wars universe, but better.
“Nevertheless, he persisted”. Thank you for this chapter JPM! Joe didn’t completely fall apart after college. And, Jake!, please don’t break Joe’s heart.
ReplyDeleteWell worth the wait.
ReplyDeleteAs any mother of a newborn will tell you, one of the first questions they get is "When are you going to have another child?". So, when are you going to post another chapter?
An appreciative reader who will wait eagerly.
That was an amazing chapter, albeit a heartwrenching one. I feel like Joe is kind of isolated in a way? And I've just realized what a big loss not having his writing job has been.
ReplyDeleteThank you for writing so beautifully
JPM770, There are so many great details in the new installment, along with the continuing theme of friendship, it's wonderful. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteTaking The Power Broker to Fire Island made me laugh.
That Chris, whose favorite adjective was "interesting," once used the antonym "dull" to dismiss the woman he is now engaged to is perfectly horrifying. JPM770, bestow some enlightenment, show some mercy to one of your great characters, Christian Riis. I have been rooting that he would turn out to be happily bi, so this particular twist is truly crushing. Save him! I know this won't happen, but have Joe throw open the church doors at the wedding and yell "Elaine!"
The text exchange with Michelle regarding Chris's engagement was artfully. "You're doing okay?" could be no more than a friendly inquiry, or it could be an invitation to open up about Chris from the other upstairs resident at the Hamilton house. Despite Joe's certainty that no one knew, Michelle must have known, or suspected, the connection between Joe and Chris. They were frequently together, neither had girlfriends. It's Occam's razor again.
Excellent catch! I went back and re-read Chapter 16 -- the chapter from Chris' perspective -- to find that mention Jenna. Like you noted, Jenna was NOT 'interesting'. Chapter 16 is my favorite chapter of this entire amazing piece of literature. It is incredibly well written; so much is conveyed by having Chris talk about himself in second person through most of the chapter.
ReplyDeleteI was so ready to dismiss the post-college chapters. I am an idiot. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteI miss Joe.
ReplyDeleteMe too. I need closure!
Delete