10 [Report This]Date: November 26, 2008 08:17 am Title: mike and me
Wow. Wow. I thought I'd read all of your stories, and I don't know how I'd missed this one. This is amazing. Like someone else said, you made me feel for a character I don't even know.
And Michael... oh. What a character exploration you have here. I've always loved those glimpses of the real him that we see once in a while of his vulnerability and honesty, and this is such a wonderful, sad and kind of bittersweet exploration of that. Michael's so obnoxious and oblivious a lot of the time that the people in the office (and us) sometimes feel like he can't get honestly upset about not being included, when in reality, he's deeply hurt by it. He seems to exaggerate too much, so no one believes he really feels the way he does. So it's surprising how honest he can be with someone he doesn't know, and someone he'd just met. But it makes sense because she doesn't know the other side of Michael- the part that tries too hard to make everyone love him. Also, the sex scene here is surprising in a way, but also makes total sense. Of course Michael would be sweet and attentive. He finds a like soul in Susan, in her lonliness, so he grabs onto that, and of course he'd try to please her, it's one of his less obvious traits- his need to please everyone, which comes out of his need to be liked and his need to be close to someone. That scene killed me and brought tears to my eyes. Also, it was kind of hot because it brings to mind the fact that Michael is probably really great in bed despite the way he is portrayed as unlucky with the ladies, having only dated four women in the past 10 years, losing his virginity at 28... stuff like that.
Thank you for taking on this exploration of Michael's character, for expanding on the depth that we know is underneath his in-your-face exterior.
Date: August 09, 2007 02:33 pm Title: mike and me
You've somehow made me feel not only heartbroken for Michael, but for this woman I don't know at all as well - you created quite a vivid character in such a small amount of time. Michael being honest about his feeling of rejection instead of just joking around and protecting himself with false bravado feels so real and sad. And the sex scene was damn near devastating.
Author's Response: sorry for the angst ;-) Everything I write always seems to carry a sadness for the human condition, maybe I feel that way and don't realize it. Anyway, thank you so much for the review and for reading. I'm glad it was able to evoke emotion in you.
10 [Report This]Date: August 08, 2007 12:11 pm Title: mike and me
Pretty impressive. Sad, but impressive.
Author's Response: yeah, sad I know
Date: August 08, 2007 09:02 am Title: mike and me
Wow. That was really powerful. The first person made it so much more immediate. I've never read any other Michael fic like it (and I seek them out). It was completely believable and the other side of Michael that we know exists but rarely see more than glimpses of. I'm glad that he was able to help her.
Author's Response: wow thanks! Glad it stands out as unique.
Date: August 08, 2007 08:40 am Title: mike and me
I really like that is was honest and sad, but a bit hopeful, too. I really like Michael and his understated moments... which I think are too few, and not explored often. So, thanks for this. Nice work.
Author's Response: Yeah I really like Michael's understated moments too. Thanks for reading!
Date: August 08, 2007 07:58 am Title: mike and me
Well, I'm glad you decided to share this! Poor Michael...and poor Susan. Peeling the labels off of beer bottles, isn't that a sign of sexual frustration? Reading this really makes me want to see Michael get his wife and kids someday. Great job!
Author's Response: sure is a sign of sexual frustration ;-) that's what they say, anyway. glad you enjoyed
Date: August 08, 2007 06:56 am Title: mike and me
Word to everything brokenloon said. It's sad that there are so many people like Susan out there. I don't know if her encounter with Michael will have any lasting effect or help her in any way, but I hope so.
I'm glad you posted this. I really enjoy all your writing.
Author's Response: thanks. I'm glad you posted a review ;-)
10 [Report This]Date: August 08, 2007 06:26 am Title: mike and me
Wow...no one can possibly say you're a one trick pony after this. A lot of pathos here, and I think you captured exactly how Michael would react at every step. The whole thing was vivid and strangely moving.
Author's Response: thanks brokenloon! I'm glad you read it!!