21 Comments

Extraordinary how you introduce music and "performance" in this way. The layers here of melody, sound, touching, desire reverberate deeply in your story. You don't see that in mainstream music reviews! Your writing is unique.

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“They eat their past.” This line! I keep hearing it alongside everything else here. The narrator’s past is so deeply entangled with his recent past and presence. As always, your work is full of nuance and complexity. ♥️🔥

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Such a key analysis of what is happening in Robert's life and the obstacles he faces.

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As others note -- the psychological complexity deepens, along with the desire to see where it leads.

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That, Jay, is exactly why I posted the full chapter here and in the next, despite length that for Substack, if the listener also wants alslo to read to prose, the reader must go to the website to for the full prose. The novel's conflict deepens in these two chapters, a key turning point for Robert's deepening search. See if you agree by reading the next chapter.

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And I will, of course!

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"I took my hands from the keys, placed them in my lap and listened because the music vibrates in your ears when the sound is gone if you will only listen, not move on to something else, but listen." The interplay in this chapter between piano playing and sexual touching is wonderful, and your writing is still vibrating in my mind!

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Jeffrey, That means so much to me, considering what a deep reader of literature you are. I am truly grateful for your words here and in your superb writing.

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Right back at you, Mary!

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Such a multilayered study of memory and nuanced marital jealousy and envy! It's so compelling, it completely makes my brain crackle with curiosity. xo

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Love this, you, the grand reader and writer who keeps me coming. xo

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Once again, I read, reread, and reread one more time to try and absorb all the layers, the nuances, the meanings. I love the bits that I relate to, and ponder the ones that I don't. Your work is not quick reading which is a welcome respite from all the sounds bites, memes, reels, shorts and tik toks so popular in modern society. Thank you, Mary. Your words are a gift.

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You, Susan, are the gift. I'm so touched by your reading here and on every chapter or prose section. This chapter is short so I was able to post all of it with the audio. You're a wonder!

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My god, so psychologically profound and sophisticated! I feel like this chapter alone could be dissected and analyzed over an entire university term. The Oedipal layer is especially intriguing, the narrator’s precision and gift, certainly adored by the mother, yet not what the wife/lover wants. As if his clear hearing is exactly what makes him deaf to love. I’m baffled by your brain Mary!

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Oh, the depth of your comment, your reading amazes. Anyone who has you has a reader has brilliance at hand. Heart to heart, dear Kimberly.

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Truth!

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And like Julie, I too am so far behind. Shit happens when you put your Substack life on hold and just try to write -- like you're supposed to when you call yourself a writer. But I love this. The intimacy that comes with the familiarity of time. You get into their heads so easily, and really bring it out. Loved it!

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Oh, so glad, dear Ben, to have you back. You great reader/writer. xx

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Ah, Mary, like bad sex, I'm in and out. I'm so locked up with my story right now, I can't get away from it--and don't want to. I'm loving it!

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I’m so behind in reading but this title caught my eye. Our dear friends from grad school were married there over 30 years ago! I also was tickled to see that the Tabard Inn features in Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales. 😊 Happy to be back in the flow of your engaging words.

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That beautiful old hotel on N Street--a grand place for a wedding. And where the pilgrims start their journey in the Canterbury Tales.

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