Comments on Ladder to the Moon by Charlie Fish
- I have asked before, Charlie Fish, more please. I see the moon as all we reach for but that which always remains just out of our reach, no matter what we use to get there... goals, schooling at any level, failures and achievements of all who have come before, deifintions of success and so much more. Comes down to choosing to simplify one's life, choose a route, stick to it and become successful on your own terms and by your own definitions. Hsve read your note, its just what I see anyway and guess that is what made me enjoy the read even more. Thank you once more for an original and refreshing read.
- I find your style very refreshing I disagree with most of the comments asking for back story front story and more- because this work contains more than enough detail for any reader with imagination to fill in the gaps. Rather like a jigsaw where you must root around in a huge box of spare pieces for the bits that will complete it to ones own satisfaction. This is how my mind read it. he is in prison (could be a cell) or prison of his mind, created by his misdeeds. I love work that pushes boundries and asks something of the reader well done you.
- Excellent, Charlie. You drew the picture so well all I kept thinking and feeling through my climbing fatigue was grabbing the sides of the ladder and sliding back down! But, boy would that smart! Gary Alexander
- Wow, that was interesting. I can't really see where this story could go... but that could also be my own shortsightedness. The story is definitely origional, but a little too, out there, for my tastes... It was interesting in that it kept me wondering where you were going to take the story, but other than that, I kinda found myself getting lost in the mental excersises that this poor man is going through.
- i think there are too many vaguaries with the character - not only in the backstory - but in his present reaction to his backstory - it doesnt seem to be logically or philosophically coherent - im not getting the 'meaning' of the story - which could be my fault entirely - of course - but what works is the fanciful situation - the counting - the tidbits of his climb - i would actually like more details of the ladder - the sights - if you do that - the philosophy can take a flying leap - ted chiangs story ended on a cheap and well worn note - and it won awards -
- You write well; I thought the prose was clean and polished, and the balance of past and present works. I liked the hook (it was unusual and different enough that and the way you have the counting interspersed throughout the story. The voice of the narrator is interesting to listen too and though he sounds like he's lost it at points, lol, I was intrigued to read all the way through. There is mystery sprinkled through out, like the question of the character's name, what he's doing on this ladder (and why), and you built up the suspense in the story well. The first person narrative works for this kind of story. However... To be honest with you, I totally do not get this at all. I didn't mind being confused in the beginning, because I hoped it would all be clear once we get to the last line. It wasn't. Is the name real, or is it supposed to have some significance? If so, I missed it (and that may be why I missed the entire point of the story). I was expecting some big twist that would make me go 'oh, cool!', based on the way you built up the questions and mild suspense. Unfortunately, I was disappointed because nothing made any sense and I was left going, "huh?" It left me rather cold and annoyed.
- I do like the idea of the story and there is a good balance between the current time and past
- This story feels like an accumulation of five or six ideas, none of which have much to do with one another, strung together with very little to connect them. I guess what I am saying is that I suggest you try to move this towards being a story with a beginning, middle, and end; in which one thing leads thematically and narratively to the next; and with a character who has clear motivations, who has personality that makes sense for his choices and actions, and who evolves along with the story. Good luck with these intriguing and original ideas.
- I rather found the use of number counting very interesting—kept my attention. The story itself was a bit weak. Needed more beefing up. More why? The piece seemed to me—maybe a bit stretched. Not fantasy wise but word wise. Meaning the language was almost predictable. Again — except for the use of the counting.
- Hmmm. I wasn't really sure what to make of this story. I thought at first that it was a farce, but now I'm pretty sure that's not how it was intended.
- Story was a bit of an oddity; thought I was reading either someone's inner reflection (spiritual) or Native-American-type folktale or oral history. It took on a twist with introducing the space shuttle, the description of the ladder--making it a real object and not symbolic. I did appreciate the writing style of the story but was disappointed in the end with the content.
- Thanks for the read
- Especially now with all the talk of a space elevator and whatnot in the works... I think that no more information is needed about background for the character, it needs to seem somewhat mysterious. The ladder though maybe could use some embellishment. It would allow for some commentary from the main character on why it was built and what purpose it serves. He perceives the shuttles as mundane and somewhat ho-hum, what does he think about the moon though? His quest is what is important, does he consider what he will do when he gets there? With respect to earthly plot vs heavenly plot I agree that the police protection detail isn't really neccesary. It could also lead the reader to believe that a motivation for the character is fear, if that wasn't the intent you may want to downplay that aspect. Hope those help, Good job!
- Your story is still a joy to read. It didn't suffer from its extra length and the background for the character didn't detract from the story, at least in my opinion. Gives him more reason to be climbing that ladder.
- I enjoyed reading your story. It held my attention throughout and to me had an original voice. I was a little disappointed at the end. Not by the ending though. Just that the end came. As it has to. I wouldn't have read this if I'd noticed it was Sci-Fi. I think that puts off quite a few readers. Is it necessary for him to have been under police protection? I just felt it was a bit down to earth in a heavenly story.
- I liked this. His struggle up the ladder along with his attempts to grasp his name. Well done. Held me tight all the way through. Great job.
- Cool story. Very original. Although I got a little bored with the name thing it played out well. It might need a little more... maybe a twist when he reaches the moon? It isn't a moon? There's surprise party? Someone assasinates him before he makes the last steps etc. One thing: If the shuttle comes by each time to give him food, why doesn't he ask them what his name is? Or is that time so long that he keeps forgetting his name? Good story!
- Well, I saw this story was longer than the time I had to read it in, so I decided to read the first few paragraphs. Here I am at the end writing a crit. Shame on you! Very nice story. Loved the counting problem. I do that all the time. I almost ignored the physics problems for the metaphor of the story. (Maybe he could see the flash of the shuttle's rockets rather than its vibration since there's nothing in space to carry sound---or vibrations.) I also liked the name change from the great Kon-Tiki to the ordinary Kentucky Jones (although Tennessee Williams wasn't so bad). Be glad Murphy didn't interfere with your story. I found no errors... but maybe he interfered with my reading. Now, where's my space suit...
- A good read and very original, I have never read anything quite like it. The uncertainty of his name is both funny and serious, in a way. From something great to something menial (the names he has in his mind sound like god names to me). And the counting problem reminds me a lot of everyday life, too much or too little to do, still you are able to forget the smallest of things.
- Pros: As everyone else has noted, this is a very original little story. Thematically I think it's very strong, there's lots here to think about. The idea of climbing a ladder to the moon - something which is both simultaneously pointless and, depending on your value system, the most meaningful thing you can do. I think what you bring here is the idea that value is something we ascribe to things, not what is inherent in them. Same with the name - 'What's in a name?' so they say. It's because of these strong ideas that I was pretty much riveted from start to finish - something that doesn't happen too often these days. I read and crit a lot of short stories, and its often hard to not let your eyes gloss over towards the end. Not with this one - the ending was satisfying too - when he remembers his name his cry of: "How utterly absurd! How mundane! What on Earth am I supposed to do when my identity is summed up by a thing like that?" is almost existential. Use of language was also very good - really liked some of the descriptions esp: "Not that the concepts of up and down have much meaning here; in fact, one day the Moon's gravity will pull me, and down will have the opposite meaning that it used to." - It's all a matter of perspective, right!
- Cons: You said in your message that you wanted to expand this but you didn't know how. To me it's obvious - the character lacks depth. Too many things are hinted at - his career, some great betrayal - but there's no substance to back it up. I guess you think it would detract from the impact of the 'meaninglessness' of such things, but in fact it just left me asking too many questions. However meaningless they are, we are still the sum of all our things - and it's these character's things that I think you need to expand on! The concept is great, but if you're going to hint at a plot, then you might as well write one :) I hope that makes sense. Overall though, this is an excellent piece.
- Very original. Man, this is a pretty trippy idea. I really wish you would've went a little further into how he got into making this journey. Why would they send a writer to do this?
- Author's comment: I had this idea in my head for ages - to write a story that was about a man endlessly climbing a ladder to the moon. It ended up being about slightly more than that: I enjoyed writing it too much to keep it simple (for better or worse). I wrote it - and re-wrote it a couple of times - when I had just moved down to London from Birmingham in 2006.
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