Date: June 23, 2008 05:44 pm Title: Chapter 7
*Big sigh*... Whew! I'm not sure I can write a coherent review. I may be at a loss for words, but not emotions. I literally cried when Jim recalled his sweet memories of Pam. I cried when Jim called Matt and Matt told him that he was on his way to help him. I felt Matt's love for his brother in that short phone call, his words comforting Jim over the phone(calling him "Buddy"). Even tearing up again right now as I recall that part of the story. This was heart-wrenching, poignant, beautiful, and brilliantly descriptive. This chapter is an honest and gripping picture of depression at its worst. I'm glad Jim has made a resolve to look up after reaching his own personal "rock bottom".
Man, I'm SO glad I gave this story a chance. I can't shout loud enough about how gifted you are! Great job!!!
Author's Response: Thank you! This is such a sweet review! I really appreciate all your kind words...they're so encouraging! I hope you'll continue to enjoy the story!
Date: June 23, 2008 01:41 pm Title: Chapter 7
Whoa. Angst for days. Sometimes, when you are really feeling sorry for yourself, if you won't straighten yourself out for your own self, you have to do it because you're hurting someone else too. And you have to be an entirely selfish a-hole to do that to someone else. (OK, that probably makes no sense).
Anyhow the depths of Jim's self-destructive streak ring frighteningly true.
Rock bottom is wherever you stop digging.
Author's Response: It makes total sense! You're exactly right - rock bottom is where you stop digging. I think Jim needed to figure that out, and it took some extreme measures for him to see it! Thanks for taking the time to review! Hope you continue to enjoy the story.
Date: June 23, 2008 11:58 am Title: Chapter 1
So, I just started reading this story a couple of weeks ago. I avoided this for a while, because I'm not a big fan of dark, angsty stories. But, you promised a happy ending....so, I took the plunge. Anyway, I'm glad I did.
This is really heart-wrenchingly good and addictive.
Poor, poor Jim - so self-destructive. The boy seriously needs a break. I love the interaction/relationship between Matt and Jim. I hope this is not the last we'll see or hear of Matt now that Jim is off to California. I especially loved that Matt set Jim straight with regards to Jim's idealization of his life:
“I’m thirty years old and the only person I’ve ever loved dumped me because she wanted marriage and kids and I wanted a cool apartment in the city. Don’t tell me I don’t know anything about this, Jim,” his brother warned him. “I haven’t told you about my life because I didn’t think you could handle it with everything going on.”
Stunned, he could only lay there in silence.
“It sucks, okay?” Matt continued. “It sucks that I don’t feel like I can tell my brother, my best friend, what’s going on in my life, and it sucks that things didn’t work out for me, but you know what? I’m doing what I can to make it better. Do you know what you’re doing? To everyone? Mom and Dad are furious with me for not telling them about anything, Larissa will probably never speak to me again….and do you think I asked for this? You think I wanted to be the one responsible for you? I didn’t ask for any of it, but you’re my brother. God dammit,” he cursed, shaking his head with emotion. “You’re my little brother, and I’ve had to spend every day wondering what I could do to stop you from killing yourself.”
That really killed me and showed just how self-absorbed and removed Jim has become - he doesn't know the first thing about his brother's life or anyone else's. Such a wake up call for him, I think.
Anyway, I am dying to see what Pam has been up to. I really hope she isn't going to be sad or pitiful. I'm also really curious to see how she felt about Jim just signing off on the personnel change papers when she quit without a call or a goodbye to her. That must have really hurt her! I hope she's been able to move onto better things since then.
I'm really looking forward to seeing how you get these two to work past all of the crap they've heaped on to eachother. And of course, for a happy, fluffy ending.
Please update soon!
Date: June 23, 2008 10:09 am Title: Chapter 1
Excellent. I can't wait for the next chapter.
Date: June 23, 2008 09:35 am Title: Chapter 7
Whew! I feel like I just got the monkey off my back. I'm finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. Can't wait for things to start looking up for Jim. Looking forward to the next chapter.
Author's Response: Thanks! Things will be looking up soon, and the chapter is on its way. Thanks for taking the time to review. Hope you'll continue to enjoy the story!
9 [Report This]Date: June 23, 2008 07:39 am Title: Chapter 7
WOW, just WOW. I needed a drink at the end of that one. This chapter is impossible to put down. When you think it can't possibly get any worse, it does. Poor Jim.
Some of my favorite parts:
"But he hit rock bottom a long time ago, and his life wasn’t looking up. Maybe because he just found a shovel and kept digging"
Brilliant!
" Too bad he didn’t have the guts to suddenly cut production. Besides, a shocking finale didn’t really fit the style of the Jim Halpert Show. Much more appropriate for a midseason drop no one even noticed"
Great analogy!
And then the entire phonecall to his brother. Heartbreaking.
I cannot wait to read the next chapter.
Author's Response: Thanks, Pisa! I'm glad you enjoyed the chapter! Thanks for taking the time to point out parts you liked...it really helps me! I'll hope you'll continue to enjoy the story.
10 [Report This]Date: June 23, 2008 06:49 am Title: Chapter 7
Man when you said this was dark...wow! But I love it and I love the writing and I can't wait for more. This is such a compelling story!
Author's Response: Thank you! I really appreciate you taking the time to review!
10 [Report This]Date: June 23, 2008 12:09 am Title: Chapter 7
Well I'm basically sobbing like a baby right now.
I wish I had something of substance to say other than "so well written"- but that's kinda all I got.
Anxiously awaiting the next chapter. :-)
Author's Response: Next chapter is coming soon! Thanks for taking the time to review!
Date: June 22, 2008 09:52 pm Title: Chapter 7
Holy shit. I'm basically sitting here with tears in my eyes from fearing for a fictional character's life... this entire chapter was painful. It hurt to read. The writing was so real and honest but I must say, I've never been more eager for an uphill climb.
Author's Response: Thanks, flonkerton! I know this was a rough chapter! I hope you'll enjoy the rest of the story!
Date: June 22, 2008 09:12 pm Title: Chapter 7
Please, please, please update soon! This chapter made me so sad...but I guess that's what makes it so good! It evokes emotion! Please update soon...like NOW!! :)
Author's Response: Update coming soon! Things are looking up, so hopefully it'll evoke some happier emotions soon! Thanks for reviewing!
9 [Report This]Date: June 22, 2008 08:09 pm Title: Chapter 7
Bravo! Another great chapter. I love all the great dynamics you have running through the piece. Yes, it's dark, but I'm glad to see that you pushed the limits and took it there. It's a wrenching downward spiral, but you've kept it sincere.
Author's Response: Thank you! I'm glad you've enjoyed it even though it's dark! I hope you'll continue to enjoy the story.
9 [Report This]Date: June 22, 2008 07:56 pm Title: Chapter 7
Wow. That is truly rock bottom. Very well written.
I hope the trip to California will have a positive outcome!
Author's Response: Thank you! I was nervous about this chapter, so it's good to hear you enjoyed it!
Date: June 16, 2008 07:12 pm Title: Chapter 6
"These aren't the characters you know and love..." After that tag line, I didn't want to read this story. As much as I love angst, I thought to myself... this is not the kind of angst I'm going to like. I finally printed the first six chapters, however, after passing it over day after day and I've got to tell you... man, what an amazing job you've done with this. You've not left any detail uncovered as you've written each chapter and scene, and you are progressing the storyline along in a realistic way. I can't say enough good things about how much I'm enjoying your work. You've described Jim's downward spiral just brilliantly.
I have to say that I'm hoping for a happy ending, because I'd hate to think of Jim totally giving up all hope on Pam not to mention life itself, and punishing himself into oblivion, but I totally understand that coming back from all the "junk" he's gone through and put others through will not be a fluffy journey. I look forward to going the distance with you on this one as you see fit. You are a truly gifted writer.
Author's Response: Thank you! I'm glad you gave this story a chance! I know it was probably a bad tag to put on there, but I just wanted to warn everyone this would be a darker story. Thanks so much for such a thoughtful review. I'm glad you braved the angst and I hope you'll continue to enjoy the story! Let me know what you think!
9 [Report This]Date: June 15, 2008 01:10 pm Title: Chapter 6
Good Chapter. Update!
Author's Response: Thanks for reviewing!
10 [Report This]Date: June 14, 2008 06:17 pm Title: Chapter 6
I just signed up so I could review this chapter. After lurking I felt compelled to review!
Your story is brilliant! I can't believe how well you write. Your chapters are so fleshed out and realistic. I think that sometimes in fanfic a resolution is rushed, so that a happy ending occurs on an artificial time line. I appreciate how thought out each chapter has been in your story, and how every character is flawed (Karen has done lots of hurtful things but you can see why, and Jim isn't just the "good guy" who's been wronged either, he's made tons of mistakes).
I hope you give Jim a happy ending, even though I'm finding it hard to see Pam taking his sudden change of heart well (at least in her eyes it's a sudden change, she doesn't know he didn't get the note).
How will Pam realize she's not a consolation prize after Karen broke his heart? (Which is how she'd see it)
Hopefully you have this ending well with Jim getting a chance to explain. I can't wait to see how you have them reunite. Will he bump in to her in Philly? Or look her up? I'm assuming (hoping) you DO have them reunite.
I was faked out a ton in the past couple of chapters...I kept thinking Jim would bump into her at the bar, or that the whole point of him going back to Scranton for that one night after staying with his brother was so that he could accidentally see her. Luckily, your brilliant mind doesn't think in such contrivances (mine does!) and you've made it all the more realistic. There's no far-fetched coincidences for you!
Anyway, sorry for the uber-long review, I obviously had a lot of time to think about this one (you can also see that I'm not a writer!)
Please update soon, I'm totally hooked!
Author's Response: No, thank you for writing a long review! It was so great to read! Thanks so much for putting so much thought into your response! It's really a joy to read and see what other people are thinking about the direction I've taken the story. I hope I will address all of your concerns in a realistic and enjoyable way, and I hope you'll enjoy the rest of this story. (I'm also honoured you signed up to review! Glad you de-lurked!)
Date: June 14, 2008 08:30 am Title: Chapter 6
The only way is up, right? I hope so. Poor miserable, depressed alcoholic Jim : (
Author's Response: You're right! And it's all about to get better. :)
Date: June 09, 2008 07:29 pm Title: Chapter 5
ahhh... the depths of despair for poor Mr. Halpert... it can only go up from here! Great update!
Author's Response: Thank you! Jim still has a little ways to go before life will start looking up again, but I hope you'll enjoy the Jim angst to come!
Date: June 07, 2008 07:10 pm Title: Chapter 5
I have to finally comment because this is some great writing. The Jim and Karen stuff was very well written, to the point where I was like, "I hate this story" but I really love it actually.
Author's Response: Thanks so much! I'll take it as a compliment that you feel that strongly over the Jim and Karen stuff! Karen is (mostly) out of the way, but she may be making an appearance again in the near future...I hope you'll continue to enjoy the story, and let me know what you think!
Date: June 05, 2008 08:18 pm Title: Chapter 5
Please, please update soon! This is a great story!
Author's Response: I'm working on it! I'm afraid I've hit a bit of a block so this week's update might be a little late, but I'm trying to keep the updates pretty regular! Thanks for taking the time to comment...I really appreciate it! I hope you'll continue to enjoy the story.
10 [Report This]Date: June 05, 2008 02:02 pm Title: Chapter 1
I am so so so so sooo loving this story (well, all of your stories, but that's beside the point). You write beautifully, and everything is so detailed, and this chapter is no exception. I can't wait to read more!
Date: June 05, 2008 10:18 am Title: Chapter 1
I really love this story...it feels real and emotional, and I really the like the concept you've been playing with. Looking forward to more.
10 [Report This]Date: June 05, 2008 12:30 am Title: Chapter 5
WOW.
This is absolutely heartbreaking, but its somehow beautiful.. even if this last chapter absolutely KILLED me. There's such a quiet sadness weaved in. I really love it, and I can't wait to see where you take it.
Author's Response: I think it's a beautiful journey to see two people so far apart and finding their way back to one another. I'm glad you're enjoying the story, and thanks so much for your kind comments. It means so much to me!
10 [Report This]Date: June 04, 2008 11:39 pm Title: Chapter 5
I kind of hate you right now. I'm tearing up, and I'm not sure I've ever done that from reading fic. Seriously, this just hurts. I hope it gets better, but almost anything will be a relief. Wonderful job.
Author's Response: Thank you so much for taking the time to comment! I know the angst is a lot to handle, and I really appreciate you sticking with the story even though it hurts! I promise the reward will be a happy ending, even if it takes us a while to get there! I hope you'll enjoy the rest of the story.
Date: June 04, 2008 10:20 pm Title: Chapter 5
ah angsty indeed. As awful as that was, I actually quite enjoyed seeing Jim so messed over Pam being gone. At least Karen is gone. What a crazy twist though, hiding Pam's note. I could totally see her doing that.
Author's Response: Karen did get quite sneaky, didn't she?! I don't think the "real" Karen would have been so underhanded, but it's been fun letting her go a little wild! Thanks for commenting, and I hope you enjoy the rest of the story!
10 [Report This]Date: June 04, 2008 09:55 pm Title: Chapter 5
:( please! give me something good! make it better! :'(. (I am a bit of a sucker for angst though)
great chapter. update soon!
Author's Response: I'm a sucker for angst as well, although I have to admit, it's much easier to stomach when you're the writer as opposed to the reader! Thanks for commenting! I will make it better, but Jim has a few more things to figure out. I hope you enjoy the rest of the story! Let me know!