From Darkness So Dark it Sparkles

The narrative voice in this is totally compelling. The scene descriptions are so accurate you feel like you are sitting in a harrumphing room of the Gentlemen's Club (not in the modern sense of the words) and listening to some old colonel telling the tale.

Backed with pleasure!

Florenceofarabia

Wonderful language. I particularly liked ' the reminder of equine mortality' and 'so precipitously as to escape O'Cranberry's offer of egress,'each word exactly placed and perfectly chosen. Henry James look to your laurels.

I was affected in the same way as Dani R, at first I thought that this would be too wordy for me but you hold the attention if the reader is a real reader and perseveres. The descriptions of motion and movement are wonderful and the Dickensian scenes are there when only hinted at. Coming back to continue reading, well done. Patrick Barrett (Cuthbert-how mean is my valley)

I have to admit that when I first started reading this I was inclined to think it overwritten and put it aside to read another day. However now that I've actually sat down and read the first few chapters, I am very impressed with the way you have replicated the style of a Victorian author, and I've found it very enjoyable reading so far. I think you have an almost Dickensian knack for colorful characters (not to mention naming them; Tollus O'Cranberry is a fantastic name.) The pitch is wonderful and from what it reveals of the story, I can only hope that you continue to post the rest of this story so that I can read the whole thing.... Or, you know, find a publisher so I can read it without getting eye-strain. Great job, and I am happy to back this.

Oh, I'm so glad to step clear of that whole 'group hug' thing.

This book warrants comparison with those of Tobias Smollett.
There's wry humour somewhere in every amusing paragraph; the one describing D'Silva's "wealth" is great fun from beginning to end.
And Tollus O'Cranberry is a WONDERFUL name.

I'm afraid it will find a limited readership these days, but I'm glad someone has sculpted at least one more of these delightful marvels for the pleasure of those of us who savour them. And it must bring great satisfaction to be writing it.

There's a sentence in chapter two, beginning "At times he counted coppers...". I think there must have been an editing error in here somewhere.

Thanks for a superior reading experience.

Wendy Bertsch
(Once More...From The Beginning)

It matters not a jot to me that here I am, three chapters in, and with no idea of the plot (if, indeed, there is one). The words, and the vivid images they conjure up, are an unmitigated delight. Backed with the utmost pleasure.

PS: I should like to offer Lord Hardacre complimentary membership of Scribes Club. He sounds just our sort of gent.

Pete,
Have you been reading Henry James lately? If that's what you are going for, then a little bit of this advice may help. Think about introducing the main character at the start. As it stands, the detailed description of the cab is verbose. If hyperbole is what you are going for it is all there, but an editor who loves hyperbole is rare.

Describe step by step the action that is occuring. I can't even decipher what has happened, just that there is a cab in London that seems to also be a sailboat. I'm very confused.
I will come back and check at some point how you are progressing.
Best of luck to you!
You are very knowledgeable about the definitions of words.

Strange and I mean absolutely strange story line.
I have been reading cult fictions stories but I never came across a premise which was as compelling as yours.
Wonderful Mr. Pete. Looking forward for the rest of the chapters. :)

Your writing is lovely, humorous and well-written in a British style, if I'm not mistaken.

Painstakingingly and professionally crafted and amusingly Dickensian. Clever use of language: every word is precisely and professionally placed.

My only negative, and it is a personal one, is that I could have done witha little less relishing of the language up front (as relishable as it is) and a little more recognisable plot/character development. If I could see a little more clearly where I was headed I would probably have been more willing to kick back and enjoy the scenery on the way. Or put it another way, the pitch really worked and hooked me in, but as a result I wanted to see more evidence of pitch content up front (which is my weakness, by the way).

J.S.Watts
A Darker Moon

A distinctive voice and some masterful prose. For the reader, who is prepared to step into the cab and follow D'Silva to Elvira's residence there is the promise that all will be revealed. I wanted to read more and was greatly disappointed not to have found God. Perhaps that joy is to come! Backed with pleasure and a tinge of frustration,

John (Last Things)

I liked the premise--and seeing as you are a competent writer you might execute it very well. It sort of reminds me of "The Aleph"--that Borges story, in broad outline.

I don't know if you're quite hitting the Victorian tone pitch-perfect, if you intend to. Although it's hard to really internalize all those peculiarities--I've seen some freakishly big-brained people do it (William Vollman did like 3 books in 16th century prose--!--what a freak, I say) It reads slightly modern, or at least "off," or you wouldn't mistake it for being pre-20th century, which might be a good thing.

I've completed the first chapter. I found it to be an interesting read. Your use of descriptive language is a bit advanced for the casual reader. However, I found it to be unique and refreshing. Thanks for sharing such an interesting story. I'm backing you with much admiration and wishes for your success on this site. Sincerely. Marie -'Sun Shine and Rain'

Comic gothic - I like it. Bit like Dickens but with a better sense of humour.

With placing almighty in the center point, no work has capture the mind of readers. Pete, I think you can change this concept, because your work is very impressive

A very good pitch, which did it's job of encouraging me to check out the novel itself. It's style reminds me of one of my favorite authors, Susanna Clarke (Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell), and is very much in the style of Mark Gatiss: The Vesuvius Club: A Lucifer Box Novel. The prose is good and the dialogue provides a nice foil to the overall tone.
The problem with the mss as it stands, however, is the plot is lost amongst all the finely crafted prose. I couldn't find it in the opening chapter, and am part way down chapter 3, at the point where the woman is blocking the doorway, before it hooks me in. Make your scenes justify their place in the novel, especially the all important opening one; check the main plot thread is in play and it's not all about the main character, and check the assorted plot devices (characters, props) are doing their job of moving the plot forward.
As it's incomplete, I'll pop it on my watch list for now.
All the best,
NaomiM

You have written a very interesting, humourous and unique storyline, which I do like, and your work is character rich. I do like your development of Elvira. The dialogue is realistic and well written and the pace of your story flows well. All of this along with your descriptive writing makes your work a pleasure to read. Backed.

Andrew Burans
The Reluctant Warrior: The Beginning

The narrative voice in this is totally compelling. The scene descriptions are so accurate you feel like you are sitting in a harrumphing room of the Gentlemen's Club (not in the modern sense of the words) and listening to some old colonel telling the tale.

Backed with pleasure!

Florenceofarabia

Wonderful language. I particularly liked ' the reminder of equine mortality' and 'so precipitously as to escape O'Cranberry's offer of egress,'each word exactly placed and perfectly chosen. Henry James look to your laurels.

so different from the other offerings on here but as effective
an eclectic mix from mr marchetto
praise for your diversity and ability to maintain standards

I was affected in the same way as Dani R, at first I thought that this would be too wordy for me but you hold the attention if the reader is a real reader and perseveres. The descriptions of motion and movement are wonderful and the Dickensian scenes are there when only hinted at. Coming back to continue reading, well done. Patrick Barrett (Cuthbert-how mean is my valley)

I'd read anything Victorian—after all, 19th century is my playground—and I genuinely looked forward to this. I find your style indisputably old-fashioned in its verbal convolutions. Each sentence is a work of art and I can imagine the pleasure you felt during the construction. The trouble is that there are too many exquisite sentences and, as a result, the story does not advance any faster than your exhausted horse. I recommend From Darkness to patient readers. Backed.

Iva P.
Fame and Infamy

I have to admit that when I first started reading this I was inclined to think it overwritten and put it aside to read another day. However now that I've actually sat down and read the first few chapters, I am very impressed with the way you have replicated the style of a Victorian author, and I've found it very enjoyable reading so far. I think you have an almost Dickensian knack for colorful characters (not to mention naming them; Tollus O'Cranberry is a fantastic name.) The pitch is wonderful and from what it reveals of the story, I can only hope that you continue to post the rest of this story so that I can read the whole thing.... Or, you know, find a publisher so I can read it without getting eye-strain. Great job, and I am happy to back this.

I've read the first three chapters of "Darkness" and it is different. You do set a tone with your language and your narrator has some humor or personality - like when he's talking about O'Cranberry's name. And some introspection - like when he's talking about the invisibility between the upper and lower classes as he explains O'Cranberry and D'Silva's relationship. I also really like your blurb.

I'm not sure what you want to do with this so I'm not sure what to say. It's unconventional so if I say why it's unconventional you might view my thoughts as trying to make yours more mainstream or a sell out. I'm not sure if you want or even need that kind of explanation.

Elegantly written and a very interesting premise. I especially liked the rather-too-true observation on the perceived wit of remarks depending on the one who delivers them. I wish you luck with your writing. You have a considerable talent. Marj.

Pete I would not be able to pass your book cover int he stores so i did not here. Amazing cover and the pitch lives up to the cover both short and long. Well crafted book, and I did not expect it to be humorous but it was. Have not completed it but will continue. BACKED by me...BEST of luck with this book.......My book is of a different genre but that is the beauty of this site, I am not asking you to agree with my book, but if you could 'REVIEW' and 'COMMENT, and if you feel BACK it. I would be so happy. Again BEST OF LUCK with your book

Denise
The Letter

Hi Pete. I was reading your book earlier and I have to say, I have enjoyed what I have read so far. This deserves to be backed.

BACKED

Brendan

Prose that could have been written by a Victorian but doesn't 'jewelled' have two l's? Never mind anyone can spell (except you) but very few can write so amusingly and beautifully. Backed. Lynn

O MY GOD! This is excellent. Starting with the cover, it is very striking the pretty colours against a dark background, simple but effective and genius. The title is perfect and I love the pitch, funny and set in Victorian England, brilliant. I was stunned at how incredible your writing is. The first paragraph is so brilliant. Nothing is left out, the descriptionb of the carriage, the horses, everything is brilliant, this will be on my shelf for quite a while. Backed without hesitation.

Sandie
The Crown of Crysaldor

The most beautiful book cover I've ever seen - wonderful colors - yes, it sparkles. :)
backed :)
Love, Susie :)

Oh, I'm so glad to step clear of that whole 'group hug' thing.

This book warrants comparison with those of Tobias Smollett.
There's wry humour somewhere in every amusing paragraph; the one describing D'Silva's "wealth" is great fun from beginning to end.
And Tollus O'Cranberry is a WONDERFUL name.

I'm afraid it will find a limited readership these days, but I'm glad someone has sculpted at least one more of these delightful marvels for the pleasure of those of us who savour them. And it must bring great satisfaction to be writing it.

There's a sentence in chapter two, beginning "At times he counted coppers...". I think there must have been an editing error in here somewhere.

Thanks for a superior reading experience.

Wendy Bertsch
(Once More...From The Beginning)

I find the vocabulary a little over the top at times and this tends to nullify some of the humour and take away the edge from your writing. Many paragraphs are extremely dense and could be broken up to make the text more 'accessible'...I understand why you have chosen the arch tone but it has to be applied sparingly if the reader is to be drawn in. It's very like my own style in places so it's a bit like criticizing myself! I love the characters and your talent is enviable...how's China by the way?
Best wishes
Stewart