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Viewing comments for Chapter 7 "Growing the Great Pumpkin"
Short Stories

15 total reviews 
Comment from juliaSjames
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

OMG Estory, I was fascinated, repulsed, horrified by this write. You showed with calm, precision, detachment the life of someone suffering from a personality disorder.

It was also a wake up call for the insidious effects of social isolation. Humans must express the love which is hardwired into our DNA. And such love can be directed into unexpected channels.

Loved the bow to Charlie Brown in the person of Linus.

Amazing story.

Blessings Julia

 Comment Written 12-Jul-2019


reply by the author on 14-Jul-2019
    Thanks again so much for all the sixes and your exciting comments about the story, when you can churn up shock and angst and sympathy all in one pumpkin, I think the work was successful. Thanks again estory
Comment from Cindy Warren
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

I don't know whether to feel sorry for him or be happy for him. He seems perfectly content growing his pumpkins, and it doesn't sound like the people in his life were any great loss. Sure, he's nuts. But he's happy.

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 Comment Written 12-Jul-2019


reply by the author on 14-Jul-2019
    Thanks so much for the excellent review and your interesting perspective on the story. I don't know if he is happy. Wounded, broken, sure; I don't know about happy. How can you be happy with a pumpkin instead of a wife and kids? But when you endure pain, this is what happens, this is how you adjust. Glad it got you thinking. estory
Comment from Gloria ....
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

e, I found this a fascinating story as the protagonist degraded further and further into isolation in the process of growing a pumpkin. The relationship to his parents nebulous and children and wife almost contemptuous.

The repeating patterns of behaviour at accelerated rates only added to the intensity of the read. The conclusion while inevitable was anticlimactic which is I expect exactly the way growing pumpkins for prize weights would be.

I really enjoyed this read and shall be looking up Jessica Anthony's work.

Just a couple of points: I couldn't come up with $5,000 to take care of my sleep apnia, (apnea) Ha, love the introduction of the great pumpkin patch Peanuts character, Linus.

After it passed the size of a beachball, in early July, and than (then) a metal wash tub, I

Nice job and I hope you write of this kind of story.

Gloria






 Comment Written 12-Jul-2019


reply by the author on 14-Jul-2019
    Thanks again so much for the exceptional review and your interesting comments and perspective on the story, which I think validates the work I put in. it was really fun to write, and I am glad it seems to have worked so well. thanks again, Write On! estory
Comment from DonandVicki
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

We have a contest each fall in our town of the biggest pumpkin. I haven't heard of any divorces but some of the people are a bit eccentric. I grew a big pumpkin once but it started to rot well before the contest.

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The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.

 Comment Written 12-Jul-2019


reply by the author on 14-Jul-2019
    Thanks for the excellent review and your interesting comments and perspective on the story. in the documentary I watched that inspired this, there were some close calls with divorce. That's what got me thinking. What is really motivating these people? What are they really trying to achieve? Glad this one got so many people thinking. estory
Comment from Mystic Angel 7777
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

WOW! I had no idea how much I didn't know about growing pumpkins - especially BIG ones. I felt really bad for the other little blossoms that didn't even get a chance, I guess they got some solace in knowing that they gave their lives for Max and he did represent them all well with a 3rd place. This was really a delightful and informative read and I thank you very much for sharing it.

 Comment Written 12-Jul-2019


reply by the author on 14-Jul-2019
    Thanks so much again for the sixes and your wonderful support for my story. I am so glad you enjoyed it and that it got so many people thinking. Everyone should know by now I love to make people thinking. estory