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Chiara, I’m back for more fairyland reviewing and omg we are crying again!!
The thought of losing your memory is one of the saddest, most frightening things I can imagine, and that comes through here — the confusion, the longing, the frustration, the ache of it. Amd again, such an amazing take on the solitude theme, and you do such a wonderful job of identifying and describing the tension and irony of that concept, solitude, loneliness — because the person in this drabble is alone and yet not alone — surrounded by people but not connecting with them — unable to make that connection even if they desperately want to. And they’re trying and wanting so much to be able to remember all these people and memories so they can have that life and those relationships back… but then also, there’s a relief to finally be left alone because of how overwhelming and frustrating it is. Just wow, it’s remarkable how you convey all of this in a drabble!
<3 Melanie
Author's Response:Hey, Melanie! <3
I know, this one is painful... I'm so glad I could convey all the longing and the frustration, and the contrast between the will to connect, but the inability to do so (and the loneliness that comes with it), and then the relief of being left physically alone because it's just too much...
Thank you so much for the great review! <3
I love that you included this prompt into your collection! I think we need to acknowledge this piece of our history and stress it placed on so many of us. The way you highlight that society expected us to go on, but it was such a struggle, is so real. I also found it striking how you explore people as being reduced to numbers. It’s such a valid feeling. And how gripped we all were at the start of this with all the news and the updates we were receiving and how it consumed us. And how this mass isolation lends us to kind of grow accustomed to it and not feel safe going out like we once had. Chiara I thank you for this drabble as it has made me realize the multitude of things I’ve felt/experienced and how I am not alone.
<3 Courtney
* team ice otter *
Author's Response:"Q" couldn't really be anything else, considering the time period we are living in... I basically described my own lockdown experience here, I suppose it would be familiar to many of us, sadly... :/ And no, you're definitely not alone in feeling all of this! *hug*
Thank you! <3
Chiara! This is such a poetic drabble! The way you depict the crescendo of sound and the way the pianist’s fingers touch the keys and how it changes. Chiara it was all done so brilliantly and left me in a state of awe. Your word choice feels delicate at he start and then grows into this magnificent force of sounds as they move onto the forte part of the song. And I love how you describe music as a language. I think it is totally a language that transcends what words can’t always convey. This was my favorite line ever though: “A tiptoe of notes, only whispered, afraid to disturb, to break an ancient agreement of peace.”
<3 Courtney
* team ice otter *
Author's Response:I'm so glad this one worked as well, and that you liked the description of the sound and the fingers on the keys. I am particularly proud of this one, I have to say... :P
Thank you so much again for all the wonderful reviews! <3 <3 <3
I love the way you describe the waves of the ocean. I think repeating the way the waves moves draws us into this scene and makes us feel like we are there with the protagonist. You play up all the senses here in such a meaningful way. The visuals of the waves and the sun on the horizon, the smell and taste of salt in the air, and the sounds surrounding him. I think the ocean is a prime example of feeling small among something so vast, but I loved how this wasn't despairing. It was beautiful and soothing to read.
<3 Courtney
* team ice otter *
Author's Response:So glad you enjoyed this one, too, and that I worked with the senses well. Yes, there is that sensation of feeling small before the vastness of nature, but there's also something incredibly soothing about the ocean and the gentle waves... so glad you could feel it!
Thank you! <3
Oh gosh this drabble is so sad! Having several family members with memory disorders, you are totally alone in it! This isn't the happy or contented sort of solitude, but a despairing one. The way you describe trying and failing to recall names of people and objects is heartbreaking here. And the family members who come to visit in an effort to try and return these person's memories to them. Oof. That's rough. And I feel so bad for that person who just wants to be left alone because it's so hard on them too that they cannot remember. This one hit me hard in the feels.
<3 Courtney
* team ice otter *
Author's Response:This is definitely a sad one, yes... I'm sorry it hit hard... I don't really have much experience with amnesia or memory disorders, but I do imagine it would be terribly isolating... and so, so hard both for the person affected and for their loved ones... glad you thought I captured it well, though!
Thank you so much again! <3
I love that there is a drabble regarding art here because art is a totally personal experience! Even if you are visiting a museum and taking in the art alongside another person, you are experiencing it independently. I love you calling out specifically art from the Renaissance and the vibrant colors and then the darkness of Caravaggio. I conjured up images of my own, and I thought it was quite brilliant that you were both specific and vague when describing the different pieces the protag was witnessing. I think it allowed us as readers to kind of have our own experience internally with what artwork we were thinking of. This line right here Chiara, this was so lovely! "And when you move away, with a little smile on your face that wasn't there before, it's like taking home a small treasure no one knows about." Brava dear!
<3 Courtney
* team ice otter *
Author's Response:So glad you enjoyed this one! Yes, art is a totally personal experience! I'm glad it was effective, having specific styles mentioned. but not specific operas, and that helped picturing things in your head! :D Thank you for another brilliant review! <3
I love how you showcase childlike emotions in this. Kids are precocious and like to test boundaries and you show that well here. I think being lost in the world is a big wake up call and scare for a lot of kids, and I felt the little boys emotions from start to finish in this. I like how he was certain (as kids tend to be) that the man in the red shirt was his father. And then to be met with the reality that other men could wear the same close was such a frightening prospect. I felt the kids despair before the rest of the family members found him. So well done there!
<3 Courtney
* team ice otter *
Author's Response:I'm so glad you could feel the child's emotions in this one. The poor thing, it was a very scary experience... :/ At least he was found again and all went well, right? So glad this piece worked for you, too! Thank you so much! <3
Ahh Chiara! This was such a sad yet lovely little piece! I just love the passing of recipes or traditions down from generation to generation. I think it is a lovely way of honoring those who came before us while also keeping them close to us. And I totally got those vibes when reading this piece. The way the protag is working in a pristine environment shows me that this ritual of kneading dough is important to them. They've taken the time to ensure a worthy space to work. I also think the choice of music added a nice, soothing element to this piece. They obviously want to focus on the task at hand and not be distracted y the music, but they want to set the right sort of atmosphere. And of course that heart wrenching "I miss you Mum," at the end just got to me. You stir up so many emotions with so few words. That takes real talent!
<3 Courtney
* team ice otter *
Author's Response:This one was definitely bittersweet... I think there is something very soothing in kneading, and yes, the passing of recipes down from generation to generation can have a big meaning, especially when the person who passed them is not there anymore... I'm so glad this piece touched you, even if it's a sad one... thank you so much for another great review! <3
I think you depict the idea of journeying alone quite well here! I think the opening with the fear and uncertainty is pretty much a universal feeling, even those who are wanderlusts at heart. But I love how positive and exciting he feels once he is on the train and the journey is beginning. There is an exciting quality once a trip has started. There's the promise of what you will do when you arrive at your destination. And in the case of our protag here, it feels like his options are limitless. He's leaving behind something comfortable for something new and exciting. I enjoyed this little happy piece and how he was watching the scenary change as he moved forward in his journey!
<3 Courtney
* team ice otter *
Author's Response:So glad you liked this one, too! I personally never had the courage of travelling completely alone (if I've travelled alone, it was always to meet up with someone at the destination, so not quite the same thing) but I can see the appeal of that, of the adventure and discovery... and yes, there's always a bit of fear at leaving what you know behind, but the excitement definitely wins over! I'm so glad you enjoyed this one! <3
I felt this chapter on such a personal level. Parties for introverts are so draining and also can be anxiety inducing. I think the idea of busying yourself in these situations, whether it be with drinking or listening to the music or watching are all very valid things for someone who is introverted to do in this instance. Also the checking of the time to see when it's socially acceptable to leave is something I also do haha. You don't want to come across as ungrateful, but not everyone understands how mass socialization events affect other people. And I think others are quick to judge people on how they behave in these settings. Anyway, I think you depict this realistically and you show what we view "societal norms," to be in the instance of this party. But I love that the protag is like "I'll stay a bit longer," in the end. That sparked some joy for me in this piece.
<3 Courtney
* team ice otter *
Author's Response:Hi again, Courtney! Back to my poor attempt at lowering a little my unanswered review count... :P
I mean, every introvert at any party ever would feel like that, right? ;) I'm so glad this felt realistic and relatable (and yes, there are a lot of social expectations around these events... and not everyone feels at ease in them...) Glad that the protagonist staying a bit longer gave you a bit of joy! <3
Thank you so much for the lovely review!
Chiara
Ok, so I felt like you built tension in this piece so well! At first, I thought, oh no this person is hiding from something sinister. But I enjoyed the lighthearted ending of the boy just playing a game of hide and seek with friends. I think your ability to switch up the mood of the piece so quickly was done very well! I also think that the ending also fits your all encompassing theme of solitude. The boy doesn't meet up with his friends at the end, he's merely just yelling "Safe!" whenever no one is at home base.
<3 Courtney
* team ice otter *
Author's Response:I had a lot of fun with this piece, I wanted readers to think he was hiding from something sinister, so I'm glad the twist worked! :P
And yes, I wanted to give a more light-hearted version of solitude, and I thought a game of hide and seek was a fun way to do so. So glad you enjoyed this one! :D
Solitude as a result of death is a tough one. The beginning of this piece is so vivid with your description of the flowers and the different colors. It was lovely. And the care and time the protag took in arranging them implies this is for someone special. And then of course, as she recounts daily events that this person is not here for, we understand it was her partner in life. And I think grief hits us in different ways and so this speaking to a grave thing, I can be therapeutic for some people. And I love the last line here of her feeling a breeze by her cheek and her thinking maybe it's his hand and I'm not truly alone. Absolutely heartbreaking but beautiful!
<3 Courtney
* team ice otter *
Author's Response:Grief is hard, and it doesn't really ever leave, does it? I'm glad you liked the description of the flowers and the care she put in arranging them... I meant this to be more sweet than bitter, to be honest, but yes, it is a bit heartbreaking, too... and yes, the talking to the grave thing can be very therapeutic... so glad you liked the closing with the breeze caressing her as well! <3
Thank you so much!!!
Ahh the setting of this one and the description of this speaker being "a thief in the night" was absolutely brilliant! At a carnival or a fair like this one,
you tend to focus on those you are enjoying the experience with. You don't focus on those who are enjoying themselves independently. And the fact that he's taking in the setting and people, but they aren't noticing him...gosh it felt so lonely. But also it felt kind of empowering too? Kind of like he can do anything if he wanted too and no one would notice? Of course, he just enjoys the ride, and then observes everyone around him before disappearing. Another job well done, my dear!
<3 Courtney
* team ice otter *
Author's Response:I'm so glad you liked the descriptions in this one, and the "thief in the night" metaphore... Like you say, these events are meant to be shared with friends and family, and it is very lonely to experience them on your own... but I guess that, yes, there is something empowering about it... so glad you enjoyed this one, too!
Love,
Chiara
Chiara the emotions in this are so palpable and I think in certain ways universal. I think we've all felt excluded at one point or another and as a result, envious. It's such a powerful emotion that can estrange someone (as you suggest here in the opening), so I think your depiction of the emotion as it relates being excluded by a group of people you so obviously want to be included with, is so powerful! The idea of whether or not your envy morphs into realistic thoughts or its your mind just conjuring up things to kind of feed it...I mean it's brilliantly done! This one resonated with me and I wanted to be like "oh my gawsh was this written for me?" because I've felt the way you describe here before a lot myself.
<3 Courtney
* team ice otter *
Author's Response:Hey, Courtney, my love! <3
Yes, I think we all have felt like that at some point... I'm glad this felt relatable (well, not glad that you've felt like this, because it's a terrible feeling, but that my writing resonated with you...)
Thank you so much for another great review! <3 <3 <3
Ok, so my former dancer self was PUMPED to see there was a chapter titled Dancer. :) And I love that you included a solo depiction from The Rite of Spring. Everything about that ballet is powerful (Stravinsky's music is just WILD to try and dance to). And I loved the internal motivation you showed of her telling herself that she just had to do one more thing. And the music propelling her forward. Chiara, were you a dancer because this is all very realistic? And then collapsing at the end...yes, fatigue in ballet is no joke. And you're supposed to make it look easy. And she obviously does an excellent job due to the crowd applauding. Anyway, LOVED this piece and how you represented dancing in it.
<3 Courtney
* team ice otter *
Author's Response:I'm so glad this one felt authentic! Coming from someone who has a direct experience with ballet dancing it's a big compliment! :P
No, I'm not a dancer... (well, I am, but not ballet and not at agonistic/professional level, so a complete different experience...)
So glad you liked this piece! <3
Chiara I love how you show individualism in this chapter. Individualism in the sense that we're focused and centered on ourselves as opposed to being focused on a community or others around us. I think in our modern world it is something we have become so heavily preoccupied with. I love your images you convey of the "sea of people," and the "turbulent waters of life." Life is hard. It's a universal fact. And this individual is swimming alone, in spite of being surrounded by people. I love the hopeful interjection of "I could just smile or wave or say hello," to someone around me, "but I'm already late." Yet again, showing that we prioritizes ourselves over basic human connections. I know this review might seem full of harsh ideas, but I think you were trying to convey something similar with this piece. Maybe?
<3 Courtney
* team ice otter *
Author's Response:Hi again! <3
Yes, that's pretty much what I was trying to do. We live such frenetic lives, we always have something that we need to do, some place that we need to go, and we don't have the time to just stop and look around and reach out to other people, and that's so very sad, but it's just how our society works...
Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts! <3
Ahh again Chiara you bring universal themes into this fantasy drabble. The idea of class boundaries I think can be understood by everyone. Some of us relate to one system more than the other, and we make assumptions about the class system we are not apart of. I also love how you show that some people who are born with privilege aren't naturally blessed with all the happiness in the world, in spite of the material objects. I know that likely sounds privileged in itself, but my point is, at the end of the day all of our problems are human. And the princess feeling trapped makes her seem more human than this figure that the masses should "look up to," and admire. Anyway, your social commentary is so on point here!
<3 Courtney
* team ice otter *
Author's Response:Hi again, Courtney! <3
I'm so glad you liked this one, too! I wanted to play a bit with different genres/styles, so I'm happy you liked this more fairytalesque one :P
And yes, being rich and privileged doesn't equal happiness, and while the princess has everything, she's still a prisoner and she doesn't know the true joys of life... and yes, big or small as they might be, we all have our struggles (and we could all use a bit more compassion... but that's another matter... :P)
Thank you so much for the lovely review! <3
Wow Chiara! I love the emotions you convey in this. I think you show so much that society expects people to end up in these little family units or pods and that anyone who doesn't feel comfortable or ok with that arrangement is left out. You really show how that lifestyle is fed to us by society as a "fairytale," but for this speaker in question, it is the opposite (or at least that is what is implied. I think this is sad because you show this person as going through the motions of pretending that they will one day meet these societal expectations, but we see the nature of their heart and it rejoices in the idea of solitude. I am so excited to read more of your drabbles here!
<3 Courtney
* team ice otter *
Author's Response:Courtney!!! <3
Sorry if I'm a bit late in replying to these (I'm slowly making my way through my, too many, unanswered reviews... :P)
I'm so glad you liked this first drabble, it's one that's very personal so it's nice to get the sympathy... Yes, we are so used to the idea that everyone will fall in love and marry and build a family at some point, that feeling any different is seen as weird and just not normal, and that can be so hard... and it's much easier to pretend that you want the same things and that you'll get them one day...
Thank you so much for the lovely review, my dear! <3
Hi Chiara!
This was a fun piece! I love the idea of solitude in hide and seek, although I'm now wondering if different countries play hide and seek differently? I've never played it where you could be safe at home, you just had to wait and find everyone. It would make sense though. This was a really nice idea, and very lighthearted too. It does make me think that solitude can literally be found anywhere though, including a children's game, which I love the idea of. That even though most people aren't alone all the time, there's still little moments of solitude scattered throughout the day.
Another great piece!
Shaza
Written for the winter in fairyland review event.
Author's Response:Glad you found this one funny, I wanted to show a more lighthearted side of solitude, and also I liked the idea of putting there a little, unexpected twist :P
And yes, sometimes solitude is in little everyday moments, and I'm glad you liked that aspect! :D
Hi Chiara!
Aww, this one was so touching, but also felt a bit more hopeful than the other ones. This one felt like their solitude wasn't their fault, someone had died and left them behind which is so sad. It must be heartbreaking to be left behind when your other half dies. I think this one was more hopeful because they still talk to them, I know they don't respond but they must feel like they're still there, listening to what they've got to say. And they have a Son, who may hopefully visit at some point, so it felt less dark than the others and I really liked it.
This was another lovely piece.
Shaza
Written for the winter in fairyland review event.
Author's Response:Hi again, Shaza! <3
This one is also sad (grief and loss always are) but it is a bit more hopeful. And yes, in some ways, it's almost like her husband is still there, still listening, and that is conforting. <3
Thank you so much for the review! <3
Hi Chiara!
Aww, this one made me realise just how much I've missed going on rides and funfairs in the past year. I think you did a great job of showcasing the rides and the atmosphere of the fair in general, it's so alive and bright and normally filled with people having fun. I've never thought about how it's normally people in a group before, families or friends, but I suppose it makes sense. It's sad that they didn't feel like they deserved that joy though, that they were stealing it away. I think everyone deserves to have fun at the funfair, regardless if their alone or not.
Another amazing piece!
Shaza
Written for the winter in fairyland review event.
Author's Response:Hello again! <3
We've had to miss a lot because of covid, haven't we? I do miss funfairs, too...
It's hard to enjoy things like funfairs if you don't have company... especially as an adult... you'd feel out of place, like you don't belong and don't really deserve that happiness... but yes, it is sad... :/
Glad you liked this one, too! <3
Hi Chiara!
Wow, these pieces have been so dark and I'm not sure why I'm so surprised every time, I don't think solitude is easy for anyone, or not most people anyway. Envy must also be another terrible thing to live with, especially your own. I feel like it would just eat you away until you couldn't be around others. I loved the descriptors you used in this one, I think they showcase the overall idea of Envy beautifully. It also felt like that envy, in this piece, caused other issues and problems which would have made things even harder for them, especially now they're so alone.
Another amazing piece!
Shaza
Written for the winter in fairyland review event.
Author's Response:Hello again, Shaza, my dear! <3
This is another pretty dark one, yes... solitude can be very hard, and envy in particular is such a horrible emotion and it does alienate people. :(
I'm glad you liked my descriptions in this, and that the idea of envy came across well!
Thank you so much for the great review, as always! <3
Hi Chiara!
Oh no, this was such a haunting piece. I could feel the pain of the dancer's ashes just keep on dancing. Feeling like she could never stop as the music played. It seemed like she knew it would not end well but she just couldn't bring herself to stop, didn't feel like she had anyone who wanted her to stop. I feel like this could be a metaphor for so many things, and it was so touching. It felt like I just wanted to get her to stop, to help her, hbtu obviously there was nothing I could do. It felt almost inevitable.
Another amazing piece!
Shaza
Written for the winter in fairyland review event.
Author's Response:Hi, Shaza! <3
I'm so glad you liked this one, too! Yes, it is very haunting and sad... I'm glad you could empathize with the protagonist!
Thank you so much for another lovely review! <3
Hi Chiara!
Now this one, I feel like I understood. That feeling of being alone when you're actually surrounded by so many people is horrible and I think you described it so well. I imagine the first question is rhetorical but I definitely think you can be, as you so perfectly described. It's so easy, in theory, to stop it as you described, but in practice, it's never that easy. This is such a vague piece which makes it feel like it could fit into a thousand different places which I'm sure is what makes it so relatable as well.
This is another great piece!
Shaza
Written for the winter in fairyland review event.
Author's Response:Hi, Shaza!
I'm "glad" you found this one relatable. I think it is a pretty common feeling, feeling alone while surrounded by people, especially with the frenetic lives we carry. And yes, it is much harder in practice to just stop and interact than it is in theory.
Glad you liked this one, too!
Hi Chiara!
Wow, the descriptions in this were beautiful! Especially the tower and then the hardship the town is going through. The poor princess though, I'm not sure whether I feel more sorry for her or the village people. She has everything she ever asks for while they have such struggles but at least there experiencing life, both the hardships but also the joys as well. The joys of company, and knowing other people. The princess can't ever understand that and that does seem so lonely. Maybe I do feel more sorry for her.
This was a beautiful piece!
Shaza
Written for the winter in fairyland review event.
Author's Response:Hi again, Shaza! <3
I'm so glad you liked the descriptions in this! And yes, I think you are meant to feel more sorry for the princess here, because despite the village's struggles and her having all the riches, her life lacks what truly matters and it is very lonely...
Thank you so much for another lovely review! <3
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