Chapter 14 of The Aphanes is up.

[tocryabout]

Chapter 14, Stendhal Syndrome is finished. Piotr and Bobby! James Joyce references! Epilepsy!

The last chapter and the epilogue will appear together, probably fairly soon.

Comments

[youngest-one.livejournal.com]

Damn.

I should probably be able to give a more coherent review than that, but bear in mind that I got barely any sleep last night and that this chapter managed to impact me like few others before it. So I apologize in advance if I get incoherent or nonsensical in the course of this commentary.

First of all, I loved the Bobby and Pitor cameo; both boys are convincing and realistic. Also, the thought of even Joel's inner voices being unable to resist Aunt Carmel made me laugh out loud.

I've been trying to come up with words to describe how, exactly, the revelations and emotions in this chapter affected me, but I always come up dissatisfied with the result. You writing is, as usual, top notch, and the imagery of what Joel feels as he sinks into an epileptic state was fascinating and chilling. What I can't quite describe, however, is the feeling I get upon discovering the very real change in Joel. You've taken a boy who, at the beginning, could barely even manage to remain visible and given him a real chance at having a somewhat normal life. It's ironic, I think, that the Stendhal Syndrome seems to be considered an obstacle, because I think the realizations that he had while suffering from it gave him, if not a new lease on life, at least a new understanding of how to view his life in a more positive manner. His description of the relationship between God and man was, for me, the highlight of this chapter, and reading it, I felt like a door had opened for Joel. That's what reading this chapter gave me - a real, genuine sense of hope for Joel. Earlier, we had hoped he might come out of his shell, but that was by no means certain. He seemed to have little if any inclination to do so, and Charles could only do so much as his therapist. This, however...after reading this, I have new hope for Our Hero. It may be as fragile as a sprig of greenery in the Arctic winter(to brutally butcher your excellent metaphor), but it's there. And now, I think Joel can envision a future he never had before. Which would make this whole novel worth the read, if it weren't already.

Once again, congratulations on an excellent piece of writing.

[to-cry-about.livejournal.com]

It's ironic, I think, that the Stendhal Syndrome seems to be considered an obstacle

Charles is being a little facetious there. But there is a sense in which any real epiphany comes with a cost -- there's a lot to take in, and it can be overwhelming and exhausting (just like a trip to the art galleries of Florence). His advice to go see a movie and relax is probably wise, although Joel may not take it. ;-)

I am giddy with delight that you "got" this chapter, anyway, because I posted it late last night and thought it was weak and disappointing and improbable. It looks a lot better today.

[youngest-one.livejournal.com]

Yeah, that makes sense. The true mark of any prophecy or revelation is how much it takes out of you, I think.

I've had the experience of having abolutely no idea if what I was writing made any sense, and turning it in convinced that it was crap and terrible and no one could like it and GOD why didn't I get it done sooner. Oddly enough, I think I might have done some of my best writing while in such a state.

[talktooloose.livejournal.com]

This chapter was marvelous. It is a great joy to watch Joel emerging as a remarkable young man and doing it in ways that no one expects. He is not being molded by any of his therapists or mentors -- he is materializing from the Aphanes of his own paralysis into vivid, passionate engagement.

Yowza.

[waterstrider.livejournal.com]

I'm really happy to hear this. Writing recovery and redemption is a lot harder than writing destruction and misery, and this is exactly the point where I've been worried about dropping the ball.

I originally had something completely different in mind for Joel, but he's had his own ideas. The sense of engagement, though, is exactly what I wanted.