Date: July 01, 2008 10:15 am Title: Chapter 1
First of all: really cool premise for this! Second of all: well-executed! Seriously, this was fantastic from start to finish; I love the way you characterized both Karen and Jan here. They're recognizable humans with flaws, as opposed to the stereotypes that sometimes pop up in fiction. I also like it that you articulated Karen's awareness that she was complicit in the whole mess, but that it wasn't so easy to see that (much less do the "sensible" thing) when she was in the middle of it all. I've always sympathized with all three members of that triangle - Jim, Pam, and Karen -- but I've also thought that they were all pretty much equally complicit in why things dragged on the way that they did.
Anyway, just a terrific job here!
Date: June 30, 2008 11:03 am Title: Chapter 1
I can't believe no one has done this before! It seems so logical that Karen would bump into Jan right then. And I really liked how you wrote both women. The detail about Jan's fingers tapping on the box jumped out at me especially.
9 [Report This]Date: June 28, 2008 01:38 am Title: Chapter 1
I love the strong women of this show and am just a little upset they have to change or be demonized. Great job at capturing their downfalls while keeping their grace. :)
8 [Report This]Date: June 27, 2008 08:14 pm Title: Chapter 1
"She’s clutching a napkin in her hand (because she hadn’t come prepared for tears when she’d packed her purse before they left, only for mustard and crumbs) when she glances up and does a double take."
I love how you weave a normal "haven't we all done that" moment into this awesome look into Karen's heart. Very nicely written! (I'll take a Shitzu puppy, please.)
Date: June 27, 2008 03:49 pm Title: Chapter 1
Ooh, Karen & Jan do know something about hardcore self-destruction. Yowsa.
Like his denial and her stern looks would change his heart. Stupid, stupid, stupid. Yup, this is just what the little voice inside Karen's head probably sounded like.
8 [Report This]Date: June 27, 2008 03:01 pm Title: Chapter 1
This is really, really lovely. I love to see the normal side of Jan, and I love when people can make me feel something other than annoyance for Karen! Great job!
10 [Report This]Date: June 27, 2008 10:25 am Title: Chapter 1
Of all the "What happened to Karen?" stories I've read, I think I like this one the best. And I think it's because you don't vilify and demonize Karen as though she "had it coming," and you don't deify her to the point that the rest of her life becomes a crusade to overcome the evil force of Jim Halpert. (I've read both kinds, and dislike both kinds)
Instead, you've chosen a much more realistic route, and it's really ringing true with me. Good job.
Date: June 27, 2008 10:15 am Title: Chapter 1
There were so many parallels in Jan and Karen's situations during the finale, and certainly in their personalities (at that point)...that this makes total sense. One of those rare fics where I read it and think, why has no one (including yours truly) ever thought of this premise before? You really made me feel for both of them - their making tacit agreements with themselves to go with the 'merciful lie' (so well put) is spot on. And I also love this: she supposes there’s a reason why they say that hindsight is 2020. I've always thought Karen would feel that way - and even eventually admit to herself that as much as he was to blame, Jim wasn't the only one in denial. Just a great little scene - clean, crisp writing and lots of truth.
Date: June 27, 2008 10:00 am Title: Chapter 1
Wow I love that last line.