1 [Report This]Date: October 29, 2020 02:18 pm Title: Please don't cry
I really like the choice to dig into Pam's relationship with Roy's mom, which always felt to me from canon like it would probably be not too pleasant. Her characterization here is really strong in relatively few words, it's good work.
This is a really interesting take on Roy and one we don't usually see - the idea of Roy as upwardly mobile, in contrast with a Pam who feels like she's being pulled away from the things (and people... well, person...) that are important to her. Going to be interested to see how you develop that.
And I loved the idea of Pam's imagined dialogues with Jim, and how they always came out as real ones - seems VERY them.
Author's Response: Thank you! To be honest, I cheated a little there — my grandma lived in a small village and, as a kid, I witnessed a variety of country folks, so here I just described one of granny's neighbors :)
1 [Report This]Date: May 07, 2020 07:11 pm Title: Please don't cry
Oh, Pam. Don't settle. Her spiraling thoughts at the end of this chapter are so heartbreaking.
On another note, I loved the imagery that you've created placing them in another country and culture.
Also, love the backstory on Ma Anderson. It gives us a much better understanding of why Roy is the way he is and how out of place Pam already feels in his family...
Looking forward to some hope for Pam!
Thanks for writing!
Author's Response:
Thank you so much for your wonderful comment, H&C! I'm glad that you enjoyed this story.
I was thinking a lot about Pam and Roy's relationship and I came to conclusion, that one of the things, why they were together for so long, was the involvement of the members of both families (the traditions still have a strong influence here, especially in the countryside). So, maybe, they just didn't have another choice than to stick together... did they?
1 [Report This]Date: May 03, 2020 09:03 pm Title: Please don't cry
I appreciate the teaser. I think this is a great AU and I love it. Thanks for placing JAM in your chosen context! It's glorious.
Author's Response:
Thank you so much, I'm glad you enjoyed it!
I forgot to put a teaser after the first chapter, but I won't repeat that mistake :)
1 [Report This]Date: May 02, 2020 08:16 pm Title: Please don't cry
I love small town Pam so very much. Feeling too changed for her childhood bedroom, but easily falling back into the routines and chores.
Her relationship with Roy’s mother is too real. There’s something about mothers and their sons - especially youngest sons. It’s not hard to believe that Mrs Anderson doesn’t see her as good enough. No one ever measures up when it comes to beloved younger sons!
Oh Pam. It breaks my heart that Roy is making these huge decisions without her, that the biggest sign that he doesn’t value her.
Her thoughts on Jim and falling out of touch are so real. A lot of friendships fade with distance (some make it through though!)
A couple of random things that I love: I think it’s cool how Europeans call birthdays “anniversaries”. My Dutch relatives will often say “congratulations” instead of “Happy Birthday.”
Is it common for young people to move away for work? We met a friend on the train between Lviv and Kyiv and she works in Dubai. She introduced us to another girl living in Moscow who had also worked in Dubai. It surprised me a little, that they had moved so far for work.
I’m kind of curious to see why Jim is called a moron next chapter!
Author's Response:
Oh, thank you so much for your amazing review! I'm glad you like the idea, and I'm glad that these ideas worked out well!
Yes, young people often seek better jobs and a better life elsewhere. The most common countries for work migration are Poland, Italy, Russia, Czech Republic. However, some of my friends work and live in Sweden, Germany, Singapore, Australia (and I still envy my husband, who had a business trip to San Francisco!). It's hard for me to imagine how it could be to uproot the whole life and move out, but for others, the salary (or the received knowledge) pays the discomfort off.
And the chapter is almost ready, so the answer will be soon :)
1 [Report This]Date: May 01, 2020 10:08 am Title: Please don't cry
I really love this story. I like the feeling it gets because they’re in another country. I’m really looking forward to more .
As for Roy, his idea in general isn’t bad. He’s just being an absolute jerk.
I hope Pam gets some courage to speak up. She seems very shy and subdued by Roy .
Author's Response:
Thank you for your lovely review!
I hope you will like the rest of the story as well :)
1 [Report This]Date: April 30, 2020 09:01 pm Title: Please don't cry
It was a lot easier to follow this chapter, well done.
I hope someone can talk some sense into Pam, not having your voice heard in a relationship is not really a foundation for success.
Looking forward to reading more!
Author's Response:
Thank you!
I guess the first step is to admit you have a problem... and Pam is making (or about to make) it. I'm hopeful about it :)
Date: April 30, 2020 05:13 pm Title: Please don't cry
Ya just gotta feel for Pam here. Very much getting the feeling that she's stuck in a rut. She doesn't like the life she's leading, but at every turn it seems she's backed up against a wall of what she should do. Hopefully soon she'll figure out to listen to that small voice telling her to do things she wants to do, regardless of what anyone else says.
Great way to write a very melancholy chapter.
Author's Response:
Thank you!
I'm torn between making the heroes happy right here and right now and keeping the story realistic... and for the sake of realism, I think Pam has to go through some changes. I hope I won't drag it too much!