Reviews for A Question Without Answer

Reviews For: A Question Without Answer - Reviews: Page 1 of 2

the ignorance of it all. 2008-08-11 ch 1,	abuseMost authors who use a certain object or phenomenon in a text overdo it, making the reader feel like that's all the story is about, and they lose interest. However, you've portrayed the stars in a way that makes people think about them again, take a mental not to look closer at them on the next clear night. I thought that maybe it would be a bit more enticing to have a few sentences at the begining of the piece from Cameron's elderly point of view, then finish with a powerful one-liner, such as "I will say this, though: It’s been a lonely fifty years," and maybe Cameron's vague hypothesis of what happened to Mordecai, instead of an entire paragraph, as I felt that the rest of the last paragraph was a bit too conclusive, and didn't leave enough space for the reader's imagination. These are just my own personal opinions, though. I still found the piece beautifully crafted, and poetic. Definitely a favourite.
Trish J 2007-12-29 ch 1,	abuseOne word... BRILLIANT. This is honestly a story to be read and re-read and re-re-read all over again. And gosh, that sounded so stalkerish, but okay... Please tell me that you're a published author. Because it would be a crying shame if you weren't. Trish xx
Seventh Chords 2007-06-19 ch 1,	abuseI really liked how this started out. I felt the characters were very real and believable, and I can relate very well to Mordecai's contemplation of life as well. I liked the story on a whole. Good work!
Ginger Mae 2007-05-26 ch 1,	abuseI really liked this, it was extremely well written, and your characterization of Mordecai was very well done. Maybe I connected with it so well because I love stars, I don't know, but you really captured how just looking at the night sky can make you think about things you don't normally think about. It was very powerful, nice job.
sin olvido 2007-04-26 ch 1,	abuseOh my god... I can't get over how amazing this is... especially the ending, from which I'll probably never recover. Words fail. This was moving, eloquent, well-written, with great characters... on my favourites list.
Irony's.Last.Words.Were 2007-04-07 ch 1,	abuse"I will say this, though: It’s been a lonely fifty years." That was the best line, I have to say, and Mordecai questioning whether he was insane or not. Even though it was serious, I had to laugh at him. Mordecai strikes me as someone who wanted something more to do with his life, like he said that the person who trained him forgot to train him to be content. Perhaps we're not meant to be content with what we have in our lives? I mean, that's how we come to know the Lord, right? Of something we feel that's missing in our lives, that we believe He can fill. Discontentedness or fear? One of the two, and I think Mordecai displayed both before he disappeared. When the narrator was saying that he "regretted" not saying anything to Mordecai, I think that that would have been something perfect to have said to him. Drawing from the story how obviously deep Mordecai's thoughts went, he would have understood it, the fact that his underlying fear and discontentedness was probably God calling to him. But who knows? He obviously never thought of it, so why try to change it? :D That's just my take on this story. It was very good, by the way. I enjoyed reading it. It made me think, and I think [hardy har har] that most people wouldn't like this because our nation/generation has turned to almost mindless entertainment, which is sad. That's why "The Prestige" didn't do well in the box office. It made people think. Oh the Irony, wouldn't you say? -Irony
Ironic Presence 2007-03-20 ch 1,	abuseWhoa. That's a deep way to end it. I'm still trying to figure out what exactly he means in the last two lines. I've been and am a Mordecai of sorts. Man, laughing at Mordecai was not the thing to do. Let me say this: I think this is one of the best things I've ever read on both sites. One day, I'll figure it out (one day!). Until then, I look forward to reading your other work. Presence.
Cum grano saltis. 2007-01-30 ch 1,	abusewow, this peace of work is awesome. i rarely read a fiction as good, touching and beautifuly written as this one. mordecai seems is a really interessting character, to whom i suppose everybody can realte in a way, being as you used in your story our inner advocatus diaboli, questioning us, life and everything that crosses our way. I suppose the thing that keeps us sane are the stars, in a way. something as beautiful as that can`t exist if life is meaningless. thanks, for writing this, I´ll add it to my favorites!
EnemyWithin 2007-01-03 ch 1,	abuseWow, very well written, I honestly think that this could be published. The only real problem I saw is that you sort of contradict Mordecai's character by describing him as shy and quiet, yet you also go into how he would debate with teachers. Most of the shy, quiet kids (myself included) that I know do not debate with teachers and in general do not speak much to anyone. Perhaps if you described him as very closed and private rather than shy and quiet, it might work better. Other than that, though, very well done.
On Eagle's Wings 2006-11-07 ch 2,	abuseOh... there's a second part. I don't like the second part as much as the first, and I don't think it was necessary. Sometimes it's better to leave it open. I don't feel like it added anything.
On Eagle's Wings 2006-11-07 ch 1,	abuseHm. I like it. Very interesting. And I understand exactly how Mordecai feels. I like how the ending is set 50 years later with Cameron looking back; it concludes the story nicely. Well done.
Radio Saturday 2006-09-27 ch 2,	abuseLike Sterling there, I saw your post in Young writer's 101. I also saw in your profile that you enjoy Russian literature. I'm assuming you mean Dostoyevsky, because that's what this reminds me of the most, especially the question of the title and the tone of the writing. However, by the end of the story I felt that it was a little more Alain-Fournier than Big D. I thought that Mordecai's treatment of Cameron -- telling him that life has no point and then, when he finally reaches a realization takes his own sweet time about it -- was shoddy at best. He comes off as the kind of person who's a hero in his own head, spreading the word of existential truth or whatever and thereby ruining the potential happiness of others. On the other hand, I thought that the characterization was very good, and your writing is very finely wrought. You did have a few small typoes, but nothing very serious. I'm with some of the others, though, on the second chapter. While I'm fine with you finishing it up for yourself, and I like what you've got to say in the second part, I think as a story that the first part stands perfectly well on its own. And furthermore, if Cameron was smart enough for Mordecai to consider him a friend, then I suspect that he was also smart enough to figure out for himself that there must be come point to life. I'm sorry this criticism is so rambling, but I hope that it's helpful.
juxtapositionmay 2006-09-26 ch 2,	abuseI am not sure what type of criticism to give for this chapter. It was well strung together and effectively told the life story of an aging man and his long lost best friend. There was a lot of dialogue, which was a change from your last chapter, but it still kept the deep characterization of the previous chapter. It also leaves readers with a chance to finish the ending for themselves. This chapter, because I was happy with the ending in the last was a little off beat, but good in its own merits. Cameron has become more cynical with age and you showed that more fully with a few sentences of dialogue, than some authors do with paragraphs of exposition. Congrats on the completion of your story. Remember, no matter what anyone says, write for you first, and for others second. Sterling Douglas P.S. This chapter changes the feel given by the title. The title alludes to the question "what does it all mean" or something along those lines, where the end of chp. 1 points to Mordecai's whereabouts being the unanswered question. Maybe its only that way to me...
juxtapositionmay 2006-09-26 ch 1,	abuseConstructive Criticism is something that I do not enjoy doing, but do when asked. I am a member of youngwriters101 and read your post, so here it goes. The beginning of the chapter flows nicely, characterizing the character through his word usage and description of his feelings of solace.“He would often the lattice on the side of my house and join me, just sitting, thinking. He didn’t talk much, and I didn’t talk much, but I came to consider him my best friend.” I think that there is an error there. I think the word climb is missing there. Perhaps you thought ahead of your fingers, I often do that.The following quote catches my attention and calls me to question forgive him for what?In any case, I am reminded that ‘‘people, even the most vicious, are more naïve and simple minded then we assume them to be.” And indeed, they are. Forgive me, Mordecai.And then it is slowly revealed to the reader. By using small little details, such as “I think I must have known that “Go home, Cameron” was not the end of our discussion” and other such allusion to his feelings. Mordecai is further described through our narrator and it allows you to feel Cameron’s attachment through a sense of detachment. I enjoyed that. The tale could have ended after the first chapter, allowing the readers to conclude what had happened on their own. As an artist that is your choice. All in all I enjoyed, although it is something I would probably not have found had it not been for your post. You kept me interested enough to review, so a job most excellently done! Sterling Douglas
itse 2006-09-26 ch 2,	abuseu are right about people reading the first part of the story not really liking the second. i thought it didnt seem to resolve the issues from the first part. Mordecai unexpectedly shows up but his conversation with Cameron still left me confused.

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