Reviewer: Migraine Worker Signed
Date: August 24, 2008 Title: Chapter 1: Chapter 1

(I just read chapter 22, but felt like I should go back and review from the beginning).

This is the story that made me finally delurk: I just had to write a review.

I ended up reading this chapter three times. The first time I only made it through Jim's first encounter with Emily, the second time I made it to the end but couldn't go on. It is so wonderfully written, Jim's loss of self-confidence is so realistic, and Emily is so likable ... but the idea of post-Pam Jim and the flashback at the end made it so heartbreaking I had to stop there.

Luckily, there's a bit of buzz around this story. I kept hearing about it, so I was eventually convinced to press on. I read this chapter for a third time, kept going, and never looked back!

Things I liked about this chapter:

• In just the first dozen or so paragraphs, Jim's weariness of being in the public eye is set up so well that I felt his tension myself when he hears "Excuse me?" for what must be the umpteenth time.

• Emily! I'll say more in a review of a later chapter, but my favorite part here was this image of her:

“Yeah,” she deadpans. “I thought: Magnificent Mile. Rodeo Drive. Madison Avenue,” she holds up one hand, palm up. “Or Scranton’s Steamtown Mall.” She holds up the other hand, same way, but lifts it high, while the other drops, like weights on a scale.

• The realism of Jim unintentionally letting Pam begin to slip away while trying to do the right thing for her (but missing the bigger picture). Okay, I didn't "like" that part, but it really rings true to what can happen if you're not careful.

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I hope you do write a companion piece for Pam too (I identify with being "the shy half"), but I want more Jimily as well. Brave Jim and brave Emily rock!