Chapter 9, School Daze and other ramblings on the 2 year anniversary

[rthstewart]

So,  Chapter 9 of AW went up today, on the second anniversary of when I started posting TSG.  Yikes.  My notifications through FF.net are completely screwy.  I am not getting them at all or they come 12 to 24 hours later.  This doesn't help my perennial anxiety whenever I post.  So, do let me know, here or via a review if you got it.

A huge thanks

Comments

[autumnia]

You know, I was literally just on AW and did not see the next chapter was out until I came here to look. Have skipped your comments about the chapter here for while I go off to devour it. FF.net notifications are definitely not working for me then.

[autumnia]

Read, adored and reviewed! Really, there were so many good moments in there, I don't know if I could pick a favorite. The ones that definitely stood out for me (now that I read all of it) include Peter and the OTC; Susan writing/receiving from Tebbitt, Gladys and Peter; Mary and Eustace; Edmund and his mother.

What I forgot to mention in my review was that Lucy writing to Aidan showed us more about their relationship than the bits we've seen sprinkled among your stories. It is certainly a more open relationship than Edmund and Morgan's and despite being able to talk to those beyond the Wall, it seems this is also a way for Lucy to talk to Aidan privately.

[rthstewart]

despite being able to talk to those beyond the Wall, it seems this is also a way for Lucy to talk to Aidan privately. This is one of those things that I threw out there back in the Heart and Mind chapter in TQSiT and never thought much about it. It's very vague in that chapter and while I call it "talks with dead people" and that's how Peter and Susan describe it, when she actually does it as a point of view character in that chapter it is much, much more vague. More in terms of feelings and only with those with whom she is very close -- specially Aidan and Briony and Aslan. I had a review comment on why she doesn't do it with, say the dead of Europe now in the War and that if I don't explain it, it could come off as a superpower. So, I'm thinking about this a little more. I certainly did not assume that it was something that it applied to the dead of Spare Oom.

[rthstewart]

Thanks so much. If you spot anything that doesn't seem right in terms of units and enlistment and the OTC and all the rest, do let me know. I've felt very, very insecure about this part of the story so any help is appreciated!

[rthstewart]

Those parts with the diaries are only there because readers wanted to read them and told me. This happens over and over and I'm so grateful.

I was able to push a lot of things forward with the letters, more even than I had thought, and it's a useful way to get loads of exposition accomplished.

Thanks so much for reading. I do wonder if I've just created another OC in Mme. Simon

[anonymous]

What a perfect way to end a birthday, thank you!
I loved this chapter. Very interesting to see small slices of life from so many of the characters you have in this creation - and I don't think I realized how many you have! Yet they are all interesting and distinct. A few things that stuck out: Was this the first time we have heard from Mr. Pevensie? Seems like this could be the cause of some difficulties for Peter(and a neat contrast between Tom/Jack and John/Peter). Very interesting way to introduce Jill, I really enjoyed her mother. We are starting to see clearer paths for Peter, Susan and Lucy. Lucy being confused because Jack seems to have a crush on her (if I read that correctly?). My favourite part was Edmund's journal and letters with Mrs. Pevensie. Was he writing to Morgan?
I think I have rambled long enough, haha. Maybe I'll see more upon the second reading.

Thanks again,
JamieApple

[rthstewart]

Thank you. Yes, Edmund was writing to Morgan. And you did read Lucy's concern correctly. It is the first we've heard from Mr. Pevensie and yes, it's an issue for Peter. His devotion and duty to the path laid out for him by his father and the Professor, which is pretty neatly summarized in the letter, is part of the issue for Peter. And while the reader sees it, Peter does not. Going back to some of the things that Richard observes about Peter makes these exchanges regarding John Pevensie that much clearer (I hope). Richard understood the idea of Peter as the eldest son, surrounded by brilliant people, and laboring under impossibly high expectations that everyone thinks he should meet if he just tries hard enough.

Thank you again

[cofax7]

Oh, I really enjoyed that. I loved the understated way Mrs. Pevensie is reacting to everything, and I loved Lucy's spelling.

[rthstewart]

Thank you!