Review Death and Life on my Futon by Kenny N Gamera Note: Kenny used the 'd' word when he posted this story. Yes, he dared me to review it. I wish I could pass up on a dare, but somethings in life are a constant. Storyline <Brief outline only> Summarising this story is a challenge as it is a little (?) metaphysical. It's about (my interpretation) unrequited love, loss, yearning and passing. It's about life, love, loss and just maybe - cats. Confused? Read it and weep :-) Merits <What was worthy of comment> The imagery is superb, almost cinematographic in detail. When our hero enters the crowded club and observes the object of his desire standing at the bar, the surroundings fade and 'Kenny the cameraman' brings a soft but defined focus onto the dark one. His sorrow at the rebuff he get resounds in him and in us. The ending is consummation in its fullest sense, disturbingly bleak and yet attractive. This story gives me the feeling that I am staring into an artwork by Edvard Munch. Complex, but more than a sum of its parts. Demerits <What detracted from the story> A mild sense of aphasia. Atmosphere <How well evolved was the environment> Marks out of 20 <20> Brilliant, masterful, wonderful. <Sorry to gush - but I like it.> Workflow <How well did the story progress and develop> Marks out of 20 <17> The story progresses in ways you would not expect, nor initially predict. I think this story is anonymous enough (and in this unusual story type this works) and generic enough for many interpretations. Each reader is likely (will need?) to interpret the story from their own experience and perspective. Eroticism <Just how erotic a read is this (erotic, not sexy!)> Marks out of 20 <17> This story encompasses much in such a small amount of text it is difficult to mark here. I could score it less than 10, or virtual perfection. I err to the second, as the emotional gamut the hero experiences is so wide. This in my opinion makes it a highly charged story, and so highly erotic. I take the unusual step of explaining my thought processes here, due to the fact that others may well argue this one from the opposite perspective. You could see this story in a negative, sour way. I chose not to do that. Mechanics <The boring bit, grammar, typo's etc.> Marks out of 20 <17> Although this is written in prose form, there is something almost poetic about this piece. It is very difficult to find any area's of criticism, partly due to good writing (and editing no doubt), and partly due to the nature of the beast. This is not only not your average sex story, it is not your average story at all. Impression <What did I feel having read the story, did I want to read more?> Marks out of 20 <18> Do I understand it? No. Yes. Well, sort of maybe. But to be honest, I understand more than I want to, and the rest I don't want explained to me. I want it to retain its mystique. Read it, everyone, please read it. This is the first story I have reviewed where I find myself desperate for other's comments. I consider this to be one of the best stories I have ever read, as it asks so many universal questions. This could however just be me. I'm a quirky soul you know. I feel, feel - rather than think, that this is a great story. Total score 89 Yotties out of 100. <An average score would therefore be 50> Readability guide 00-20 must try harder. 20-40 needs development 40-60 readable 60-80 good read 80-99 should read 100 reserved for my stories :-)