by stlgoddessfreya
As an Irishman with more than a few drops of the southern Cherokee, that story runs true.
This is so far above the normal Lit fare. It is a different animal entirely, glorious, fully furred, as bloody and luxurious as a red wolf's hide.
Gorgeous writing. Beyond gorgeous. Succulent and authentic, savory and strong, legs like a country stew and as potent as bonded whiskey.
This is marvelous. One of my favorite stories I've ever read here. Part poetry, part mythology, all with roots dug deep in southern soil. An accomplishment, Freya. This is something to be proud of. You shine here, bright as a porch light in the deep holler.
Brilliant. Real. True. Superior.
You truly are a goddess.
Give me more.
Sweet Jesus, this is a fantastic story. Lyrical, making art of words, tearing you out of the everyday, and dropping you into a time of myths and magic, a past close enough to feel, and strange enough to raise the hair on your arms. The people are real, authentic, and achingly familiar. The story told fascinating, haunting, and leaving you desperate to know more. Thank God there are more chapters coming.
Read this.
As intoxicating as the subject matter, and so beautifully written you've kept me up well past my planned bedtime. I'm really looking forward to reading more of this one and all of your others. Thank you!
This carries with it not only the taste of the oak of the barrel, but the wood that charred it to bring the vanilla tannins forward, and the purity of the mountain water. But the most "telling" part is that dark taste, that tells of the terrible heat of Summer...that takes away the angel's share.
This story is all of that, and it carries with it the sweetness of honeysuckle summer winds in the blackberry valleys and the fear of sudden storms on a hot night. Very, very good work, Goddess.
Critique: the dialog and characters in the bar are spot on and wonderfully brought to life, the songs and the imagery all just jump out in vivid clarity. When the "story" begins it's hard to follow for a bit because of that. Only at the very beginning, by the middle part it's much easier to follow and wonderfully enjoyable.
Excellent work, will certainly be looking forwards to a lot more of this.
MST
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If Manly Wade Wellman was your inspiration, you did a lovely job emulating him while still allowing your own literary voice to shine through.
And kudos for the shout out to Kentucky. It truly is a fine place to live.
Very well written, and unexpected for this website.
You could write elsewhere as well.
...to the stories of Manly Wade Wellman. Thanks for this Freya.