restraint

[roxy]

, and it felt just the way I knew it would--like I was losing a very dear friend. It was a long read, mostly because I drew it out as long as I could. It's not often that you want to immerse yourself in a book like that, but this story was special. It was everything I love about a very good story--a journey to some place else, meeting wonderful people and watching their lives unfold. I'm sure some folks probably thought it didn't end the way it should have but that's looking at it through our eye and our ideas of what makes an ending happy, but I think for John and Tris, that was probably the happiest ending possible.

When I have my magic brick back, I'd love to talk to folks who've read the story, if anyone would still be interested. :)

Comments

[tabaqui]

Oh, bb. I felt exactly the same way. I sat here at my desk and sobbed.

I'll talk about it any time.
*hugs*

[roxymissrose.livejournal.com]

It was the kind of thing I felt kind of privileged to have read, you know? DarkEm really pays attention to the details, like you do, of time and place and atmosphere, and while I don't need to have that to enjoy a story, I *love* to have it. It satisfies the part of me that loves beautiful pictures. You know I can be transported by beautiful words, hear the music that we're told is playing or smell the smoke in the air or feel the breeze the characters do...there were moments in that story that I just had to stop and think about what I'd read. I highlighted the *shit* out of that thing, lol!!

[tabaqui]

Man, yes. I loved all the little details of that life, from clothing to name cards to food. The ending broke my heart in a lot of ways, because yes - i wanted them to have more time, more togetherness, more of just *them*, but I know they had what they could, and in the end they loved as much as they could, and were content.

Every time i would read a chapter, i'd have to make myself not talk or write like that, heh. It just seeped into me and transformed me for a bit. So amazing and beautiful, so rich and just *lush* with little treats and visuals.
*happy sigh*

[rednihilist.livejournal.com]

I've heard kind of how it ends, and that plays a big part in why I haven't got to it yet. :/ I know I'll be the better for having read it, as I always am after the really good ones that just squeeze the hell out of my emotions, but it's. . .

I really like my happy endings. I'd much rather have an open one, where I can at least pretend they lived happily ever after (together) to the end of their days, than one that follows them to their (respective) ends. Does that make sense?

I think this outlook reflects a great deal in what I write, and how I write. I mean, I've got it in my head (and have had ever since '08 when I started), and I know someday I'm going to have to make the decision on whether or not to write a Colin Luthor who's outlived his family. That's the painful truth for any Clex or Clois, in my mind. Maybe not sooner, but later. . . they're all going to die, and Clark is. . . not. :/

Sorry to ramble, but a bittersweet ending? Honey, you're the only one who can get me to read those right away (well, you and your damned niece, and that apple didn't far fall from the adjacent tree), so consider yourself warned. I hate bittersweet, but only because it makes it hurt so good. I've developed into a real crier these days, too, and so that's part of it also. I actually cried at a commercial the other day, and The Simpsons makes me cry every once in awhile. So. If it's even remotely sad or emotional, I'm gonna be a wreck by the time it's finished.

Ahem. What was I saying? *hugs*

[roxymissrose.livejournal.com]

Oh well, old age has turned me into a horrible crier, and god knows I cried at the end of this--for just the reason you have about Colin. Some day, we're all going to be in that position, of either losing the one we love, or having to learn how to live without them.

I certainly see the appeal of having an open ending that we can put our imagination to, but I'm more partial to an actual end. I want to know what the writer is thinking, and how they feel it's ended.

I hope you do read it because you especially will enjoy how completely she has control over the craft of writing. Her style is different than yours but you both have this--grasp of writing, this sureness that comes through whatever you're doing.

Try it, really--it's not the kind of sadness that hits you out of left field, she warns you way ahead of time that this is probably where it's headed. I won;t lie to yo, though--it's hard. :)

[maraceles.livejournal.com]

The ending made me cry and cry--not because it wasn't a happy ending, because it was, but because I hate the thought of John being alone at the end of his life. But that's what happens with age, I guess.

[roxymissrose.livejournal.com]

omg, the older I get, the more I think about that. I don't know if I could survive without Mr R, and while I know he'd be able to survive just fine without me, it makes me flail inside to think of him being alone.

I think of John and Tristan the same way--the one who could handle it the best was the one who survived.

Didn't you like the way she wove their personalities--or what we imagine them to be--into the story? What a lot of caring attention to details!

[twinsarein.livejournal.com]

I read the ending, and knew I couldn't read the story. I'm way too much of a wuss. I remember thinking of you, though, and hoped that you weren't too devastated. I'm glad you enjoyed it so much, and I hope you get your magic brick back soon so you can talk to people about it as much as you want. *hugs and comfort*

[rednihilist.livejournal.com]

I read the ending, and knew I couldn't read the story.

Oh, God, is it totally heartbreaking? *wibbles* But, I know, right? I'm such a sucker these days. I can't read anything if I know ahead of time it's not gonna be puppies and picnics and running through fields of wildflowers by the end. Oy.

*fist bump*

Okay, butting in: over. :)

[roxymissrose.livejournal.com]

I actually skimmed the very end, and it kept me from reading for a few days, but when I read the entire closing chapters, I saw how well it worked for them in their own way. Not everyone could be as lucky or as brave as his uncles, who lived together. But they didn't have the weight of the peerage or family expectations like John and Tristan did. And now you have to read it to find out what I'm talking about! :)

[coneyislandbaby]

Would I possibly be able to have a link to the story? :)

[roxymissrose.livejournal.com]

Here you go! You have to tell me what you think! Restraint (http://archiveofourown.org/works/61002/chapters/80646)

[la-sigh.livejournal.com]

I so loved that fic. Beautifully written, amazing characters.

[roxymissrose.livejournal.com]

Wasn't it? She really built an amazing world. I fell in love with those people--from the supporting cast, to the main actors, they were all incredible!