So good! Every chapter feels like a new adventure, a clear glimpse into these two endearing characters lives and their growing friendship. I laughed at a few lines, and I grew teary at other parts. I enjoyed the reference to the soul-sucking nature of trying to put a price on a person’s dreams; Tommy’s rejection of the Faustian pact to sell his soul for arbitrary dollar signs feels honest to me. The pool scene is wonderful; the excellent dialogue had me thinking of The Graduate pool scene. (As the Dustin Hoffman character floats, just drifting, on the pool’s surface, the older man pesters the student to find a career by recommending a more lucrative pursuit: “Plastics, son. Plastics,” he tells the graduate. I say that as a huge compliment, because it’s one of my favorite movies. The memories of these two friends’ fictional past is vivid and feels tangible; reading is almost like opening up a memory box stacked full of handwritten, heartfelt, honest postcards that tell the story of best friends. I can’t wait to read more! Absolutely I am awestruck by level of devotion, thought, care and belief in creative writing that you’ve poured into this beautiful novel. Thank you for sharing your magnificent book with our good community of fellow book kids.
Jessica! You’re too kind. I did try and make each chapter somewhat insular, but still leading into the next. I worked really hard on it, so comments like this are the reward.
Wow! This is so beautifully written, Clancy. Perfectly edited. I am so impressed with the care with which you write. You are really capturing these boys; I have a feeling that much of it is auto-biographical. I loved this hint: "... so I wouldn’t say it’s stealing. I just took it without paying.” This easy rationalization does not bode well...
Excellent chapter, I so enjoyed it. I was surprised that Tommy stole, but suspicious when he suddenly changed his mind; I couldn’t imagine him not helping Jude out in some way.
Interesting that the boy who could probably afford all the drinks he wants rationalizes stealing this way. I read a while ago that kleptomaniacs steal so randomly to purposely commit some sort of small sin as a response to feeling guilty about something much larger in their lives.
Really enjoying this, Clanc. Having grown up with no brothers or such yards to wander through, it’s been a treat to go along on this boyhood ride.
So good! Every chapter feels like a new adventure, a clear glimpse into these two endearing characters lives and their growing friendship. I laughed at a few lines, and I grew teary at other parts. I enjoyed the reference to the soul-sucking nature of trying to put a price on a person’s dreams; Tommy’s rejection of the Faustian pact to sell his soul for arbitrary dollar signs feels honest to me. The pool scene is wonderful; the excellent dialogue had me thinking of The Graduate pool scene. (As the Dustin Hoffman character floats, just drifting, on the pool’s surface, the older man pesters the student to find a career by recommending a more lucrative pursuit: “Plastics, son. Plastics,” he tells the graduate. I say that as a huge compliment, because it’s one of my favorite movies. The memories of these two friends’ fictional past is vivid and feels tangible; reading is almost like opening up a memory box stacked full of handwritten, heartfelt, honest postcards that tell the story of best friends. I can’t wait to read more! Absolutely I am awestruck by level of devotion, thought, care and belief in creative writing that you’ve poured into this beautiful novel. Thank you for sharing your magnificent book with our good community of fellow book kids.
Jessica! You’re too kind. I did try and make each chapter somewhat insular, but still leading into the next. I worked really hard on it, so comments like this are the reward.
Wow! This is so beautifully written, Clancy. Perfectly edited. I am so impressed with the care with which you write. You are really capturing these boys; I have a feeling that much of it is auto-biographical. I loved this hint: "... so I wouldn’t say it’s stealing. I just took it without paying.” This easy rationalization does not bode well...
Thank you for reading Sharron and for your comment on the editing. I really tried to be so careful.
You're right about that easy rationalization...it becomes a theme....
Excellent chapter, I so enjoyed it. I was surprised that Tommy stole, but suspicious when he suddenly changed his mind; I couldn’t imagine him not helping Jude out in some way.
Thank you Jenn, one of my favorite chapters to write :)
Interesting that the boy who could probably afford all the drinks he wants rationalizes stealing this way. I read a while ago that kleptomaniacs steal so randomly to purposely commit some sort of small sin as a response to feeling guilty about something much larger in their lives.
Really enjoying this, Clanc. Having grown up with no brothers or such yards to wander through, it’s been a treat to go along on this boyhood ride.
Thanks Sudana! that’s so interesting, it definitely has to do with guilt overall, as I think you’ll see.
the story kind of graduates into a young adult thing with drugs and sex so i hope you like that too!!