' NEVER LOSE...'

this is wonderful ! your style reminds me of naipaul and rushdie, but is so uniquely your own. i wish you the very, very best and i hope that you get published soon .
mala iyer
songs of a seeker
mira and the red monkey

Dear TMN, a read I couldn't stop reading. "It was no more than a Hamlet. Besides Its bucolic splendour the village had elementary facilities." An excerpt from your book, which was a brilliant piece of passionate writing. Your elucidatory depth is very emotional, yet full of the puissant of a seasoned writer; who has experienced the parables that are hard to prise from beneath your story, but when realising that the vision of your clever vernacular is drawn from personal experience, it was easily to become enveloped in you professional piece of creative writing. Titles like Wordsmith have been mentioned in other comments. And while I may be no critic. I am an avid collector and reader of fine literature. And your book would have been just as worthy of the journey that I have been through recently, just to find a writer as passionate and real as you! Good luck and best wishes. Your book is backed with please. Take care, Cicuta, [ Carl, Arcane ].

Wonderful lyrical prose! You are a wordsmith, TMN. An intriguing pitch backed up with an excellant read. this book deserves to be published.
Backed.
Best,
January

You have a very unique voice and a flair for poetic prose. Your descriptions are visual and intricately placed and give a magnificent sense of what it is like to be in that moment, in that place, like looking at a picture. Well done.

mhebler
"Night of the Chupacabra"

I have read several chapters of Never Lose and enjoyed it very much. Although I have never visited India myself, I feel that I am experiencing all the flavours and colours of the country through these stories and the very clever way that you use the English language. I think it is an excellent novel and I wish you good luck with it.
Best wishes and good writing, John Bayliss.

This is very well-written. I loved the part about the sun diving without a snorkel, it brought such wonderful imagary to mind that I could almost see it happening!
Your dialogue seemed a bit stiff to me, but maybe you wrote it like that on purpose?
Best of luck! Can't wait to hear your thoughts on Dark Origins!
Noelle

Read the first two chapters....
I enjoyed reading your take on a spiritual, wise, old Indian woman and her family. I love how Arvin got his name, Highly starred and watchlisted! Blessings to you! Georgia
The Woman From E.A.R.L.

The story of Arvin is enchanting and written in a style entirely suited to the almost magic-realist quality of the book.

The opening scenes of rush hour in Mumbai drew me in immediately as 'the sea of mankind surges into the suburnan electric locomotives...' Then there are the 'fragrant flowers of vibrant colour,' which were particularly poignant, reading them as I am in a cold climate. The humour is wry and delighful. I was particularly taken with: 'Today, even expectant daughters living abroad, expect their mothers to cross oceans risking venous thromboemilism, of course, for domestic help.' I had this image of these women, stoicly sitting on planes for hours and hours off to be nothing more than a glorified home help for their spoilt offspring!

This book deserves to be read by many more readers and I do wonder if a rewrite of both the short premise and the long premise might serve you better. I understand why you might be writing the premises in that style after reading the first few chapters, however I would be wary of exclamation marks in a short premise as not everyone will get the subtle humour.

This is a lovely book and highly starred and is on my watch list. The very best of luck with it.

Lambert Nagle - Revolution Earth

Hi T.M. As a lover of India and all things Indian, I came to your book with high expectations...and was not disappointed. This tale of little Arvin, 'charmed' by a dream snake while still in the womb and 'saved' by the same snake when close to death in infancy is a most charming one. I particularly liked the 'voice' of the narrator - a wise, concerned, instructive and (at times) slightly amused MC with some memorable poetic phrases -"Monday was delivering Tuesday...Kayal delivered a bundle of joy...Happiness was unbundled." I particularly like the clever alliteration of "Tongues started teasing the tongue-tied boy."

I was sorry to lose that MC in chap 5, and would have liked some more 'stage-setting' in chap 1 (where are we? I know from Victoria Terminus and Churchgate that we are in Mumbai, but will any of your non-Indian readers?), but this is nevertheless highly readable stuff and I will read on to see how young Arvin, freed from his slavishly-tied tongue, proceeds to "never lose" and fulfil his King of Snakes destiny.

Six stars from me - a wonderful story.

Joe Kovacs
Rupee Millionaires

(a short by-line above your first chapter - Mumbai. 1998 (or whatever year it is) - might 'set the stage' clearer? Just a humble suggest.)

This was a fabulous read. I didn't expect to love it or to want to read on, honestly, and that's because I don't think that your short and long pitch do the story justice. They did nothing to draw me into the story or to make me want to read it. You are doing yourself an injustice by using these pitches because your writing is rich and excellent and that does not come across in the brief glimpse we get in those small pitches.

I enjoyed your characters so much. The imagery. The description. Everything flowed beautifully and kept me interested. I would very much read on if this was a book I picked up in a bookstore. I love learning about different cultures and yet when I read this, even as I learned, your characters felt so real to me - so sympathetic - not unlike people that I already know and when that happens you create empathy and that is what the very best novels do - they enable to reader to relate to the characters even though we me know nothing about the people, the place, the time and the culture in which the novel is set.

I very much enjoyed my read of your work.

Thank you and all the best,

Rena (Bunderful) author of Master of the Miracles

Dear TMN,

The first half of the first chapter had such a unique and refreshing voice that it was a rare pleasure reading it. I was mildly disappointed when it suddenly got lost and was replaced by the standard functional style of storytelling. It was still good and very well written, but I kept missing that voice.

Moving on, the entire episode with the snake was very amusing and you spiced it up adequately with interesting anecdotes of traditional Indian culture. You need not explain the REM aspect; the reader can infer that easily. ‘Reptilian reprisal’, nice one. :-)

The grandson is born. This part is beautifully written. It’s bound to bring a smile to the lips of anyone who reads it. And then the baby falls sick. At this point, I realise that the ‘voice’ is back, for quite some time now and much to my delight. The manner in which you’ve captured emotions and small domestic nuances is wonderful and praiseworthy.

I’ve read till the end of chapter 1. I believe there’s a very big market for this kind of fiction and ‘Never Lose’ is definitely worthy of publication. Awarded 6 stars with pleasure.

Best regards,
AGC

I've read five authonomy chapters without stopping and have been enormously impressed with this book. You write with passion and you write extremely well! This is different from the rest of what I read on authonomy so far. Excellent! I had a great time reading your book and I really hope to return for more. Six star rated your book.

Ivan Amberlake

'NEVER LOSE...'

Your pitches are OK –they promise a biography – though they do not indicate the style which might be helpful. Is this to be a humorous ironic take on life? What characteristic would summarise it for your readers?

Great fun to read metaphors that are from non-western culture and you do it well with the Idols of Ganesh. I see right away that you have the usual problem with lack of direct and indirect articles, that characterises people whose first language lacks them. This is something that you could maybe read up on for your next thorough line edit. For e.g.: ‘Normally such AN outpouring’ would be correct.

In fact your metaphorical, one might say poetic, instincts are pleasing but I felt your actual exposition was too wordy. If you go through and simplify the text, looking for all those additional and, strictly, unnecessary words, it would read better. And there are too many adjectives that clog up even a poetic text. What do I mean? Well, for example your last sentence of Para 2 would benefit from such a simplification. It could be: The blushing sun, however, shy of diving naked into the water, hides behind a skyscraper. And, even there, maybe ‘blushing’ is unnecessary.

An intriguing introduction. The MC a retiring exec. So, we expect flash back. What a cool thing it would be to be called: King of Snakes.

You have established a good even pace here and the story contains sufficient interest and end of section hooks to draw the reader on.

BHCG- Never Lose first 3 chaps
First I use this format even when you aren’t part of the group because it helps me focus and do useful reviews. Second I’m not good with literary fiction because I’m more of an escape into a book then learn from it type of person. So I'd take this crit with a grain of salt. These are just some things that jumped out to me.

Plot-You seem to be trying too hard with the mystery part of your pitch. I’m not a literary fiction person and to get a wider audience I feel that a few line changes would help.
I would suggest changing “he crawls and walks into life.” To “he crawled then walked into life.” And ‘temper his life but tamper not his serenity.’ To “It tempers his life, but not his serenity.” It’s a cleaner read and would appeal more. From the start we are seeing old English which is fine, but it’s a very niche market.

Pacing- Your chapters were short and concise moving at good pace. I didn’t feel dragged along instead I felt taken by the hand.

Characters- Need more development. Although you do a good job using internal thoughts to describe the grandmother I can’t see what she looks like. Arvin I have no vision of what he looks like. Is he Indian? White? Black? Tall? Short? Fat? I know he’s older because he’s retiring, but who is he?

POV- The narrator’s voice is consistent through out and was comforting because I didn’t need to learn a new person.

Style- Literary fiction. I warned you I’m not good with it. But the fact that I didn’t need to see you chose Literary Fiction but could tell by the writing is a good sign.

Sentence level- It was harder for me (all non US books I have an issue with this) in the US we use articles. A, The, An, etc. These are not common in other countries so it makes it harder for me to read because although I naturally insert those when I’m reading when I have to insert them multiple times my brain protests.
Structure wise it was good. Didn’t see many tense or punctuation issues.

Overall-The story was good enough that I went to the next chapter and I wasn’t glossing over useless detail. You kept it concise and on task. Star Rated

THANKS for useful, frank comments.
In these days of twitting, texting, gulping, I know, people rarely have time, inclination or apetitite for a literary fiction to read, relish, digest. still, I prefer my work to be more than just a fiction.
By "crawls and walks into life", I donot intend to describe the stages of growth but the nature of his survival.
Similarly, in the sentence "tempers his experience and tampers not his serenity" the words-tempers and tampers- are deliberately used in view of the subtility of difference. Anyway, styles and aims differ
TMN

An amazing narrative! You unravel these lessons of life ever so gracefully. I honestly had a hard time putting this one down. I love Arvin and found myself cheering him on through life. My heart ached for him at "Grand"ma's death, as he remembered how "she nurtured him...molded him...guided him..." This tale touches the heart in a powerful way, reminding us all how deeply the people and events in our lives shape who we become. An inspiring, captivating read. Giving you high stars today and keeping you on my WL to finish all you have posted here.
All the best,
Faith Rose
Now to Him

BHCG- Never Lose first 3 chaps
First I use this format even when you aren’t part of the group because it helps me focus and do useful reviews. Second I’m not good with literary fiction because I’m more of an escape into a book then learn from it type of person. So I'd take this crit with a grain of salt. These are just some things that jumped out to me.

Plot-You seem to be trying too hard with the mystery part of your pitch. I’m not a literary fiction person and to get a wider audience I feel that a few line changes would help.
I would suggest changing “he crawls and walks into life.” To “he crawled then walked into life.” And ‘temper his life but tamper not his serenity.’ To “It tempers his life, but not his serenity.” It’s a cleaner read and would appeal more. From the start we are seeing old English which is fine, but it’s a very niche market.

Pacing- Your chapters were short and concise moving at good pace. I didn’t feel dragged along instead I felt taken by the hand.

Characters- Need more development. Although you do a good job using internal thoughts to describe the grandmother I can’t see what she looks like. Arvin I have no vision of what he looks like. Is he Indian? White? Black? Tall? Short? Fat? I know he’s older because he’s retiring, but who is he?

POV- The narrator’s voice is consistent through out and was comforting because I didn’t need to learn a new person.

Style- Literary fiction. I warned you I’m not good with it. But the fact that I didn’t need to see you chose Literary Fiction but could tell by the writing is a good sign.

Sentence level- It was harder for me (all non US books I have an issue with this) in the US we use articles. A, The, An, etc. These are not common in other countries so it makes it harder for me to read because although I naturally insert those when I’m reading when I have to insert them multiple times my brain protests.
Structure wise it was good. Didn’t see many tense or punctuation issues.

Overall-The story was good enough that I went to the next chapter and I wasn’t glossing over useless detail. You kept it concise and on task. Star Rated

Really enjoying this so far. I was quickly pulled in by the initial chapter, and the suspense in the second chapter. Already I'm beginning to feel invested in the characters and wanting to find out more about their stories.
So far culture and religion have added an additional flavour to the work, these aspects are explained clearly, to be understandable for an outsider- without sounding patronising or distracting from the plot- a balance which can be difficult to establish.

Thank you.
TMN

Really enjoying this so far. I was quickly pulled in by the initial chapter, and the suspense in the second chapter. Already I'm beginning to feel invested in the characters and wanting to find out more about their stories.
So far culture and religion have added an additional flavour to the work, these aspects are explained clearly, to be understandable for an outsider- without sounding patronising or distracting from the plot- a balance which can be difficult to establish.

Good morning, T.M. I read a little of NEVER LOSE this morning. I found your premise interesting; however, I got that interest from your profile, not your first chapter.

It is also interesting to me that you're writing in narrative, at least to me. Narrative is very difficult to write for long sequences because there is a tendency to fall into passive voice. This, regretfully, is what is happening in your first couple of chapters. Passive voice tends to do two things; it slows the action down to the point where the reader is in danger of losing interest, and it tends to take the reader out of the story by telling him more of what's going on instead of bringing him into the story by showing him what's going on.

I write a lot of narrative, too, because writing dialogue is difficult for me. One way it has been suggested to make my narrative more interesting is to consciously try to write in the active voice. this has the effect of mitigating the problems I mentioned above. I respectfully suggest you consider a trial re-write of a chapter to see if this works for you. The other thing you might possibly do is seek out places in your manuscript where you could possibly convert some narrative to dialogue, or at least thought and see how that works for you.

I don't believe in swapping reads, but I would like to make you aware of my book, A PLACE IN LIFE. If you have the time, I would appreciate you taking a look at a chapter or two and letting me know what you think.

Many thanks.

Old Bob
A PLACE IN LIFE

TMN. Your omniscient view in the present tense is unusual on this site, a pleasant change. Your conversational tone is attractive, your metaphors imaginative, and you add a modern touch of IT
(Perhaps you have included an over-abundance of commas?).
Nice short chapters. I read on with anticipation.
Ch.2. A complete change of place and dramatic change of mood. We're in the past tense now, and a fatality threatens, then a deathly promise is made.
(Try and avoid exclamation marks - editors call them howlers).
3. It's all a dream after all. A sigh of relief, but the vow hangs over Amma's head. Which decade are we in, I wonder? Her word is not kept, and the child turns sickly.
You know how to tell a story. I'm glad you have won some interest from on-line publishers.
Very good luck with this.
Jane (Breath of Africa).

'Never Lose...'
On the Stage - I liked the idea of the sun searching for Ganesh. I noticed you use 'the' a lot in opening sentences. I think this lessens the impact of of some of your descriptions and have taken the liberty of stripping 'the' out of one of them. 'The sky is entirely exposed, cloud-cover has been blown away my impish westerly winds.'
Not sure why you have bold lettering in some of the prose - a problem uploading or is it intentional? If it is deliberate, I would suggest considering whether it serves any useful purpose. I found it quite distracting and unnecessary.
'Women parading out are facially refreshed, least scared.' I understand what you're trying to put across but this sentence really doesn't read well.
If the office is closing for the day and people are rushing out of the building to go home, say so, rather than trying to inject drama supposed scenarios of something catastrophic into this everyday happening, which is dramatic enough in its own right. Most people work to live, not live to work, so this exodus is very often a kind of great escape.
Your strength appears to be in description as there are some really lovely ones in the opening chapter. However, I would have been pulled deeper into your work if a more straight forward approach had been taken with your MC encountering the hurdles laid out in the pitch.

Nanty - Chrys!

Dear TMN,

NEVER LOSE is on my shelf, I will get back to you when I've had the opportunity to read your work, and by looking at all your comments, it looks like I'm in for a great read. "Can't wait!"

Thank you TMN.

Dana P.

M.A.McRay wrote :

... In the chapters I read, I did not note any errors of grammar or spelling, so, within its style, it appears to be a polished manuscript.
Chapter 3: Facts wise, you have your biology wrong. All characteristics from a female ancestor are not passed along only on the X chromosone. In fact, each grandparent, male or female, has an identical chance of passing on their particular characteristics.
I wish you luck with your story. Marj.

Thanks.
As for 'Biology', I may mention that according to a recent research report by Mr. Leslie Knapp, a biological anthropologist, a PATERNAL grandma passes one of her "X" chromosomes to her son, who in turn passes grandma's "X" to his daughter ....
In the story, paternal grandma is more attached to her grandson, her son's son.
TMN

I did not find this a particularly readable story. For myself, I prefer a more straightforward narrative, but that is only my preference. You might find it does well in literary competitions, especially when the judges look for a somewhat modernist style. In the chapters I read, I did not note any errors of grammar or spelling, so, within its style, it appears to be a polished manuscript.
Chapter 3: Facts wise, you have your biology wrong. All characteristics from a female ancestor are not passed along only on the X chromosone. In fact, each grandparent, male or female, has an identical chance of passing on their particular characteristics.
I wish you luck with your story. Marj.

this is wonderful ! your style reminds me of naipaul and rushdie, but is so uniquely your own. i wish you the very, very best and i hope that you get published soon .
mala iyer
songs of a seeker
mira and the red monkey

"NEVER LOSE..." has received a publishing enquiry from an American Publisher, thanks to this wonderful website.

That's great to hear. Your style combines a deep appreciation of English vocabulary with a distinctive Indian lilt in the syntax, which fits the setting well, and creates a feeling of poetry in your prose. I hope you find an editor who is able to polish the story without compromising the lyricism. I know someone else has said it but the line about the sky being nonchalant in its nudity is just beautiful.

Dear TMN, a read I couldn't stop reading. "It was no more than a Hamlet. Besides Its bucolic splendour the village had elementary facilities." An excerpt from your book, which was a brilliant piece of passionate writing. Your elucidatory depth is very emotional, yet full of the puissant of a seasoned writer; who has experienced the parables that are hard to prise from beneath your story, but when realising that the vision of your clever vernacular is drawn from personal experience, it was easily to become enveloped in you professional piece of creative writing. Titles like Wordsmith have been mentioned in other comments. And while I may be no critic. I am an avid collector and reader of fine literature. And your book would have been just as worthy of the journey that I have been through recently, just to find a writer as passionate and real as you! Good luck and best wishes. Your book is backed with please. Take care, Cicuta, [ Carl, Arcane ].

Thanks for your intoxicating comments. I do appreciate your professional remarks. Merry christmas and Happy New Year.
TMN

Dear TMN, a read I couldn't stop reading. "It was no more than a Hamlet. Besides Its bucolic splendour the village had elementary facilities." An excerpt from your book, which was a brilliant piece of passionate writing. Your elucidatory depth is very emotional, yet full of the puissant of a seasoned writer; who has experienced the parables that are hard to prise from beneath your story, but when realising that the vision of your clever vernacular is drawn from personal experience, it was easily to become enveloped in you professional piece of creative writing. Titles like Wordsmith have been mentioned in other comments. And while I may be no critic. I am an avid collector and reader of fine literature. And your book would have been just as worthy of the journey that I have been through recently, just to find a writer as passionate and real as you! Good luck and best wishes. Your book is backed with please. Take care, Cicuta, [ Carl, Arcane ].

Hi, this is on my watch list.

Before I read and comment, I'd advise you to get an original cover to make your book stand out from the crowd. Lots of books on here have generic covers and you may be missing out on reads because some new readers think they have already read and commented on your book.

Joanna

good that kind exactly that, kind balla wishes sir...

Million gnadhis

I like the personifications of the sun and the sky- 'nonchalant about its nudity' is a great line! It creates great ambience. An interesting beginning. I wasn't sure about the pitch as it seemed too long-winded and wordy for me. If I am the first to say that then ignore me, but if others pick up on it too then it could be worth considering! Karen

There's no arguing your originality and sheer nerve, your mastery of vocabulary and your bravery in forging off the beaten path in form. There were parts of this that I found engaging--certainly there are images and word strings that linger and parts of the story that engage. In the first chapter, I had a bit of trouble with getting a feel for your narrator. The voice was inconsistent--just in the phrasing, the perspective--hard for me to pinpoint exactly why, only that I couldn't get a feel for the narrator, which seemed to be in the case of this work, very important. The second and third chapters I had no distinct idea what was going on. The fourth seemed to go into a traditional narrative, building a bit on past parts but finally moving forward. I feel that maybe my comments are as fragmented as parts of your story. In general, I had difficulty with it but feel that maybe it's just over my head. Some word choices were strange to me too, but could be due to my American-ness. Definitely original and written with great feeling.

---Mary
The Qualities of Wood

Read chapters four and five. As I suspected, the boy gets stronger. For any editing, you wrote 'with in'; should be 'within'. As I said before, an interesting read - I like the issue around the tongue. I'm intrigued to learn how he starts to build a reputation.

Thanks for backing Stand. I warn you- I tend to give comments back in an attempt to help others (and myself!) improve. These are just my thoughts! You can ignore me as you see fit.

I doubt anyone will say you follow the rules- the narrative is brokenly-conversational and where most would shun the use of exclamation points, you sneak them in. The story itself is engaging. The dream of the cobra gives foreshadowing (I presume! I haven't read it all...) of danger ahead and establishes the faithfulness of the grandmother well. But why did you split it into two chapters? I realize one would be long, but it didn't seem to flow well from chapter 2 to 3, probably because you're still int he dream for the first paragraph of the new chapter, then break to reality. The narrative also changed completely from chapter 1 to 2, without any explanation.

I guess I'm just not sure how much is deliberate. From a publishing point of view, I think you'll have trouble because of the punctuation 'errors', which may be deliberate, but if they are,then they are brave. It does make the story more poetic, but that's going into an area I have no experience in so I'll stop there. It'll be hard to get a publisher to take that on. If the errors are not deliberate, then it's time for an edit.

I wish you luck. If you want details about the 'errors' let me know and I'll explain. I get the impression it's more just the style of your writing and my style is so different, I can't help much if that's the case.

Shakat
Stand

I've just read the first three chapters. The first chapter didn't blow me away, although it's obviously eventful. When I opened chapter two, I thought I was reading a different book! Chapters two and three are gripping - I enjoyed them. Interesting character, the grandmother, and I like her determination and faith. The snake's involvement is very powerful. Makes for a good read. At this point, I am guessing that the child survives and shows signs of fulfilling the grandmother's expectations.

NEVER LOSE
[Thanks for returning my backing. T. ☼☼☼☼☼]
I liked this. The story is evocative from chapter two of village life in India and told with great sympathy. The evolving story of Aravendan’s life makes great reading. I was a bit perplexed by the pitch and opening, however. I can’t relate the opening to the rest. Would I be right in thinking the speaker in chapter one is Aravendan? If so it would work better, for me, if this were made clear. Otherwise, I’m backing this, and would be grateful if you could find the time to take a look at Bokassa’s Last Apostle in return. Thanks.

Thank you. * * * * *
TMN

Wow!! some book this is, written with great style keeping the reader involved.
I would buy this book and rate it high. - RATED and best of luck.

regards,

Neville THE SECRETS OF THE FOREST - THE TIME ZONE.

Well, you have a very unusual style and a remarkable way with words. Very poetic. Your book needs some editing but sometimes it is difficult to know if the way someting is written is deliberate on your part or a grammatical error, as the style is so unique. I have read the first ten chapters, something I rarely do, but the pace carried me along, like a flowing river. You have some beautiful imagery and interesting characters. It is also, at times, very funny. I do hope you have success with it and thank you for a glimpe into another way of life. Best wishes, Fontaine (Legacy).

Very beautifully written! Your writing shows extraordinary talent. Very best wishes, Jedward (Knut)

You've captured the internal ramblings of an office clerk in a very boring job attempting to amuse himself and stay sane at the same time very well. Your voice is unique along with your style. Original imagery. Backed and 5 starred with pleasure. All the best, Katherine - The Quizzical Wizards of Id

Thanks, Colin.

Enjoyable narrative, with well crafted sentences. Colin

Thank you, Mc Cracken.

Your prose is beautifully written. I have enjoyed myself in reading up to chapter 4, thus far. I will try to get back and read more, but for now, I am backing with pleasure. Best of luck to you and your future endeavors.
~K. McCracken
What the Heart Wants

Judging by the amount of comments here (and having looked through some) I can say that there is nothing fresh I can add.

BACKED

Enjoyable narrative, with well crafted sentences. Maybe lacking a little punch early on, but well delivered overall and backed. Colin

Your prose is beautifully written. I have enjoyed myself in reading up to chapter 4, thus far. I will try to get back and read more, but for now, I am backing with pleasure. Best of luck to you and your future endeavors.
~K. McCracken
What the Heart Wants

This is the first book I have seen completely written in a way where it is told to you. I have heard of such books that have been published like this, such as Steven Burst's stories, but I have never seen one until now. Your story is further enhanced by your effort to make it unique through it's format and well-written plot. Backed with pleasure.

I appreciate the comments. Thanks, David.
TMN

Cicuta wrote 13 hours ago [reply] [delete]
"Hello TMNAGARAJAN, I read the first fifteen chapters, although I am no great critic, I am however an avid reader. I was lost in you book of impending struggle. Almost like a song, I couldn't stop myself listening to your words. cicuta. [Carl, Arcane]"

Thanks a lot.
TMN

A really good well thought out and crafted enthralling read. So many things happening in this book,some of them harrowing but always packed with human emotion ranging from joy to despair. Well paced and page turning.

Clive Radford
Unexpected Encounter

Thanks. I do appreciate your heartening comments.
TMN

A really good well thought out and crafted enthralling read. So many things happening in this book,some of them harrowing but always packed with human emotion ranging from joy to despair. Well paced and page turning.

Clive Radford
Unexpected Encounter

Some excellent combinations here.

The way everything is described is interesting and keeps you wondering where it will take you

Good luck

Matt

This is the first book I have seen completely written in a way where it is told to you. I have heard of such books that have been published like this, such as Steven Burst's stories, but I have never seen one until now. Your story is further enhanced by your effort to make it unique through it's format and well-written plot. Backed with pleasure.

Thank you, jactar.
TMN

jactar wrote 2 hours ago
"I love your book. Haven't had the time to read very far, but the style is absolutely gorgeous and original--though I fear it will prove too difficult for the slipshod reader of fiction wanting a fast fix. Somehow reminds me of Zadie Smith, and Vikran Seth combined (don't ask; very bizarre). I do love it and hope sometime to have time to really read the whole thing. Good luck with it.Also found it delightfully tongue-in-cheek. Backed it, o course. Bravo."