My favourite is ''Bulbs in Pots'', mostly because it was the most affecting for me emotionally. The standard was really high though and many of the other stories impressed me in many different ways which I may also comment on later.
Right now, my top 3.
(Reasons are taken from my comments)
Homeward:
This is the best short story ever written in the annals of TPF history. And I've been here for all of them.
Carefully crafted, each word meaningful - a powerful portrayal of love, hurt and pain. Told with real insight and necessary humour. Fabulous. :fire: :100:
Also puzzling changes of consciousness. My mental glitch explained well by @Vera Mont. https://thephilosophyforum.com/discussion/comment/956624
Most satisfying, in every way. Colourful characters. HG and Fudgy :hearts:
Paper Houses:
A magical mix of the real and unreal. It took me a while to engage but the characters, setting and senses will stay with me. There is more to this than I have been able to comprehend. It is a beautiful, meditative piece.
This story gives more on each re-read. Intriguing language, meaning and poetry amazing. It is a desert island pick. Food for thought, forever. :pray: :sparkle:
Nightscapes:
I enjoyed this nesting of stories within the bigger picture. So well imagined and painted with colours of countries far and wide. The taste of what it is like to be a woman in a man's world. The risks men take to provide for their wives and children, in peace and at war. The piercing wounds of politics and religion.
Substantive and sensitive. Bringing light to the depths of darkness. The best and the worst of humanity. In all times. Connor, a wonderful, cowardly character, acting as conduit to the Twilight Zone. With great use of quotes. :love: :flower:
And it also turns out to be a horror story! How many ways to die...
The final quote:
"Cowards die a thousand times; the valiant taste of death but once.
1,000 experiences of death? This is a horror story!
***
Other stories are also great for different reasons.
For sheer absurdity and fun: The Unrighted Leotard.
Deeply philosophical. Existential, man! :cool:
This is relentless writing of the first order. Unfolding drama and humour. Tragi-comedy of sorts. The circularity of worries and the needs. Without a cat.
Excellent. Captivating. It made me Miaow. A perfect purr. :love:
***
I could go on, and probably will. But right now, I refer each author to my comments. An impressive standard of writing throughout.
Many Congratulations to all! :100: :clap: :flower:
javi2541997December 31, 2024 at 12:39#9569840 likes
My favourite is ''Bulbs in Pots'', mostly because it was the most affecting for me emotionally. The standard was really high
Wow! Thank you so much, Baden. It means a lot to me, amigo. I was a bit shy to write a story in English. When I finished, I thought that I did my best, but it never came to my mind that my story would be the favourite of some of you. It cheers me up. What a lovely way to end the year. :100: :sparkle:
javi2541997December 31, 2024 at 12:46#9569860 likes
Mis FAVORITOS.
The Squeal -- I related to that anxiety of the main character. Congrats, Jack. Very well written.
The Lark -- I knew it was Baden's since the beginning. I enjoyed the story, but what impressed me the most was his talent to write narrative. Amazing.
The Perfect Match -- I have to highlight the florid, original, pure, and artistic use of language by Amity. Apart from that, the chaotic plot impressed me in the best way.
Edit; ADD -- Nude Descending A Staicase is also a great story. :up: Well written and original.
The Perfect Match -- I have to highlight the florid, original, pure, and artistic use of language by Amity. Apart from that, the chaotic plot impressed me in the best way.
Thank you, javi. You have impeccable taste :wink: :flower:
I enjoyed yours too, for all the reasons given. Imaginative, sensitive and touching. Many Congrats to you! :clap: :party:
Jack CumminsDecember 31, 2024 at 14:56#9570290 likes
I am holding off thinking of favourites until I reread them all again during the New Year period. Thanks to @javi2541997 for including mine in his list. What appears good so far is that there is some variety rather than just one, especially as favourites includes subjective tastes.
Of course, it will be interesting to see what happens ultimately and I don't know if @Baden has come up with a deadline. There are probably not more than about 15 to 20 people likely to put in their list of favourites. It would be good if others rather than just the authors had read them and said what they thought. However, there have been a couple of people other than the authors of the stories, which is promising.
Noble DustDecember 31, 2024 at 16:50#9570620 likes
I think Dispatch-028 didn't get enough love this year. Considering that none of us are professional fiction writers (if you are, what the hell are you doing here :P ), I felt this one brought me the closest to the experience of reading an actual, published story by a professional writer, i.e. I got lost in the world and forgot I was reading a short story submission on a philosophy forum. :up: Great work @Jamal.
That said, I do think the quality of submissions this year might have been the highest yet, so congrats to everybody and cheers all around. Everyone gets a gold star. :sparkle:
I think Dispatch-028 didn't get enough love this year.
I agree. I didn't love it enough or give it due credit.
Reading more about it, I have a deeper appreciation.
Great work with lots of background research. Congrats, Jamal ! :up:
It was one of the best for sure. I only didn't mention several stories like this on my list because I'm currently too lazy to give reasons and there are quite a few deserving of mention
Oh, Happy New Year all! :party: I just heard me some fireworks out yonder window. :sparkle:
ChristofferDecember 31, 2024 at 17:00#9570700 likes
There were many good ones this year.
I think my favorite was Homeward. It just immersed me into it and I lost track of time. Emotional and funny and really masterfully written as prose.
Second to that I felt The Woman in the Portrait was really strong. The slow twist of going from some adventure narrative into realizing the sad truth was emotionally heartbreaking and it ended beautifully.
I think those had the holy shit those were good feelings after I read them.
So, powerful and tremendous work! :cheer:
Then I had a hard time putting these in any order of preference. They were really good in different ways.
Dispatch UK-028: A Report on the Case of Ivan Ivanovich Ivanov was such a fun ride. Up there with Terry Pratchett and Douglas Adams in my view. I really enjoyed it. Triggered some laugh out loud moments.
Nightscapes was dense with philosophical thoughts on morality and the apathy of modern people. It was also really effective and interesting when jumping into the subjective experiences of the people dying and their mini-stories were masterfully crafted subjective perspectives. Really enjoyed it.
The Invisible Contorter was a bit hard to get through because it was dense, but what's in there is still such a cool world building and story that triggered a lot of visual imagery while reading. It's hard to get out of my mind, which is a good thing. It stuck with me for some unknown reason. So I think anyone who couldn't get into it because of the dense writing, give it a go again.
The Squeal To tell a lot in such a short story is extremely hard! Triggering interpretations about what was going on, about the nature of therapy and the inability to see past spiraling thoughts and guilt. Like a Emmanuel Carrère or Beckett story, it felt like the obsessive thoughts in The Moustache, without the mystery. Short and to the point without losing substance. Wonderful!
Kingdom Come, Inc. While some may feel it was on the nose, I felt the on the noseness was the thing that made it a real funny ride. Like a dystopian satire of a future church of the market, while still channeling an exact representation of the mentality we see in the modern market cult behavior. I think it's the fact that it's kind of painting an accurate and exact image of what can be seen among market cultists today that's both scary and absolutely hilarious about this story. I enjoyed it!
Nude Descending A Staircase while I thought it was a bit rough and might need an extra round of polish, I still feel it was a surreal and abstract experience that really stuck with me. The idea of the subjective perspective of the character in such a painting was very interesting. I liked it!
The Nexus Crown: the most enjoyable, totally in my wheelhouse
Homeward: great writing, affecting and real
Nightscapes: expertly crafted, intriguing, rich, and satisfying
Dispatch-028: so good I'm lost for words
Including your own in that list hehe :sweat: , though I firmly agree about Homeward, Nightscapes and your own so it's on point.
Nice to see you enjoyed mine to warrant it being on your list! Thanks! :cheer: :fire:
The funny thing is I really don't like those authors and strive not to be like them at all, but I guess it was a compliment so.. thanks :grin:
:sweat: They're not really favorites of mine either, but I like a lot of the humor that can be found in their writing and you expertly channeled that. If I say it had elements of Kafka absurdism, does that make you happier? :up:
Homeward for literary merit. Nude Descending a Staircase for a fresh perspective.
The Unrighted Leotard for sheer unbridled madness. Dispatch UK-028 for most entertaining read. Paper Houses for transporting us to a different world.
Among a very strong field two stood out to me: Nightscapes and Dispatch UK-028. Both carried me along with excellent prose. In Nightscapes I enjoyed the characterization of the nebbish BC, and the impressive and authentic feeling historical dreams. In Dispatch I enjoyed the vivid imagery of the priest skateboarding through Glasgow, the unusual Slavic-fevered vampire, and overall fun.
In Dispatch I enjoyed the vivid imagery of the priest skateboarding through Glasgow,
Flying black cassock, streaming white beard? That's all your own, and you promised to squelch it. In the story, it's an ordinary clean-shaven young man with a conservative short haircut, wearing a clean checked shirt, navy shorts and sneakers with navy socks. Unplug that priest image and substitute this one. Nowhere near as amusing, I grant, but a lot more plausible.
That's all your own, and you promised to squelch it.
Oh? I don't think I did. I think I saw the comment disabusing the notion (someone else had it). However by now the priest had reasserted himself in my head. It's a compelling image (I imagined a younger, more sober trimmed black beard), pity it is my own invention!
You're right; that was Tobias who obliged. I also misremembered his footwear.
ChristofferJanuary 03, 2025 at 16:02#9578810 likes
I'm a bit surprised that The Woman in the Portrait didn't get a bit more love. I think it's a bit underrated. Maybe people saved it for another read as it's not very straight forward?
Sorry for waiting so long, but I just want to say thanks for the compliments. I wrote what I wanted to; I had a definite artistic vision for the story, and I didn't want to compromise that vision to make it easier to understand. I do like that at least a few people have appreciated or understood what I was trying to do, though.
I wrote what I wanted to; I had a definite artistic vision for the story, and I didn't want to compromise that vision to make it easier to understand. I do like that at least a few people have appreciated or understood what I was trying to do, though.
Great to hear from you! If you have time or the inclination, I would be interested to hear a little more about this in your story discussion. It held/holds a fascination... :sparkle:
Comments (36)
Feel free to make multiple posts.
My favourite is ''Bulbs in Pots'', mostly because it was the most affecting for me emotionally. The standard was really high though and many of the other stories impressed me in many different ways which I may also comment on later.
(Reasons are taken from my comments)
Homeward:
This is the best short story ever written in the annals of TPF history. And I've been here for all of them.
Carefully crafted, each word meaningful - a powerful portrayal of love, hurt and pain. Told with real insight and necessary humour. Fabulous. :fire: :100:
Also puzzling changes of consciousness. My mental glitch explained well by @Vera Mont. https://thephilosophyforum.com/discussion/comment/956624
Most satisfying, in every way. Colourful characters. HG and Fudgy :hearts:
Paper Houses:
A magical mix of the real and unreal. It took me a while to engage but the characters, setting and senses will stay with me. There is more to this than I have been able to comprehend. It is a beautiful, meditative piece.
This story gives more on each re-read. Intriguing language, meaning and poetry amazing. It is a desert island pick. Food for thought, forever. :pray: :sparkle:
Nightscapes:
I enjoyed this nesting of stories within the bigger picture. So well imagined and painted with colours of countries far and wide. The taste of what it is like to be a woman in a man's world. The risks men take to provide for their wives and children, in peace and at war. The piercing wounds of politics and religion.
Substantive and sensitive. Bringing light to the depths of darkness. The best and the worst of humanity. In all times. Connor, a wonderful, cowardly character, acting as conduit to the Twilight Zone. With great use of quotes. :love: :flower:
And it also turns out to be a horror story! How many ways to die...
The final quote:
***
Other stories are also great for different reasons.
For sheer absurdity and fun: The Unrighted Leotard.
Deeply philosophical. Existential, man! :cool:
This is relentless writing of the first order. Unfolding drama and humour. Tragi-comedy of sorts. The circularity of worries and the needs. Without a cat.
Excellent. Captivating. It made me Miaow. A perfect purr. :love:
***
I could go on, and probably will. But right now, I refer each author to my comments. An impressive standard of writing throughout.
Many Congratulations to all! :100: :clap: :flower:
Wow! Thank you so much, Baden. It means a lot to me, amigo. I was a bit shy to write a story in English. When I finished, I thought that I did my best, but it never came to my mind that my story would be the favourite of some of you. It cheers me up. What a lovely way to end the year. :100: :sparkle:
The Squeal -- I related to that anxiety of the main character. Congrats, Jack. Very well written.
The Lark -- I knew it was Baden's since the beginning. I enjoyed the story, but what impressed me the most was his talent to write narrative. Amazing.
The Perfect Match -- I have to highlight the florid, original, pure, and artistic use of language by Amity. Apart from that, the chaotic plot impressed me in the best way.
Edit; ADD -- Nude Descending A Staicase is also a great story. :up: Well written and original.
Thank you, javi. You have impeccable taste :wink: :flower:
I enjoyed yours too, for all the reasons given. Imaginative, sensitive and touching. Many Congrats to you! :clap: :party:
Of course, it will be interesting to see what happens ultimately and I don't know if @Baden has come up with a deadline. There are probably not more than about 15 to 20 people likely to put in their list of favourites. It would be good if others rather than just the authors had read them and said what they thought. However, there have been a couple of people other than the authors of the stories, which is promising.
That said, I do think the quality of submissions this year might have been the highest yet, so congrats to everybody and cheers all around. Everyone gets a gold star. :sparkle:
Not unless @Amity makes me.
Quoting javi2541997
Thanks, mate. It's great to get on anyone's list anywhere considering how good the stories were this time round.
I agree. I didn't love it enough or give it due credit.
Reading more about it, I have a deeper appreciation.
Great work with lots of background research. Congrats, Jamal ! :up:
It was one of the best for sure. I only didn't mention several stories like this on my list because I'm currently too lazy to give reasons and there are quite a few deserving of mention
I think my favorite was Homeward. It just immersed me into it and I lost track of time. Emotional and funny and really masterfully written as prose.
Second to that I felt The Woman in the Portrait was really strong. The slow twist of going from some adventure narrative into realizing the sad truth was emotionally heartbreaking and it ended beautifully.
I think those had the holy shit those were good feelings after I read them.
So, powerful and tremendous work! :cheer:
Then I had a hard time putting these in any order of preference. They were really good in different ways.
Dispatch UK-028: A Report on the Case of Ivan Ivanovich Ivanov was such a fun ride. Up there with Terry Pratchett and Douglas Adams in my view. I really enjoyed it. Triggered some laugh out loud moments.
Nightscapes was dense with philosophical thoughts on morality and the apathy of modern people. It was also really effective and interesting when jumping into the subjective experiences of the people dying and their mini-stories were masterfully crafted subjective perspectives. Really enjoyed it.
The Invisible Contorter was a bit hard to get through because it was dense, but what's in there is still such a cool world building and story that triggered a lot of visual imagery while reading. It's hard to get out of my mind, which is a good thing. It stuck with me for some unknown reason. So I think anyone who couldn't get into it because of the dense writing, give it a go again.
The Squeal To tell a lot in such a short story is extremely hard! Triggering interpretations about what was going on, about the nature of therapy and the inability to see past spiraling thoughts and guilt. Like a Emmanuel Carrère or Beckett story, it felt like the obsessive thoughts in The Moustache, without the mystery. Short and to the point without losing substance. Wonderful!
Kingdom Come, Inc. While some may feel it was on the nose, I felt the on the noseness was the thing that made it a real funny ride. Like a dystopian satire of a future church of the market, while still channeling an exact representation of the mentality we see in the modern market cult behavior. I think it's the fact that it's kind of painting an accurate and exact image of what can be seen among market cultists today that's both scary and absolutely hilarious about this story. I enjoyed it!
Nude Descending A Staircase while I thought it was a bit rough and might need an extra round of polish, I still feel it was a surreal and abstract experience that really stuck with me. The idea of the subjective perspective of the character in such a painting was very interesting. I liked it!
Who, me? Stop larkin' about, mate. :wink:
I loved your story, Baden. It was weird and funny and definitely Shakespearean.
It is on my favourite list, for sure! There are so many. I don't know if I like this listing with reasons...too damned hard.
Thank you ND. You're my target reader on TPF so I'm really glad you liked it.
Where the hell are ya' ?
HAPPY NEW YEAR !!!! :party:
Thanks :smile:
The funny thing is I really don't like those authors and strive not to be like them at all, but I guess it was a compliment so.. thanks :grin:
Including your own in that list hehe :sweat: , though I firmly agree about Homeward, Nightscapes and your own so it's on point.
Nice to see you enjoyed mine to warrant it being on your list! Thanks! :cheer: :fire:
Not even sure myself. It's hot here though. :fire:
:sweat: They're not really favorites of mine either, but I like a lot of the humor that can be found in their writing and you expertly channeled that. If I say it had elements of Kafka absurdism, does that make you happier? :up:
That's more like it!
In fact, Kafka can be pretty funny too.
:yikes:
Nude Descending a Staircase for a fresh perspective.
The Unrighted Leotard for sheer unbridled madness.
Dispatch UK-028 for most entertaining read.
Paper Houses for transporting us to a different world.
I have to shut down this apparently infectious idea that Ivanov is a priest!
On the other hand, thanks :grin:
Flying black cassock, streaming white beard? That's all your own, and you promised to squelch it. In the story, it's an ordinary clean-shaven young man with a conservative short haircut, wearing a clean checked shirt, navy shorts and sneakers with navy socks. Unplug that priest image and substitute this one. Nowhere near as amusing, I grant, but a lot more plausible.
Rats!
Quoting Vera Mont
Oh? I don't think I did. I think I saw the comment disabusing the notion (someone else had it). However by now the priest had reasserted himself in my head. It's a compelling image (I imagined a younger, more sober trimmed black beard), pity it is my own invention!
You're right; that was Tobias who obliged. I also misremembered his footwear.
Sorry for waiting so long, but I just want to say thanks for the compliments. I wrote what I wanted to; I had a definite artistic vision for the story, and I didn't want to compromise that vision to make it easier to understand. I do like that at least a few people have appreciated or understood what I was trying to do, though.
Great to hear from you! If you have time or the inclination, I would be interested to hear a little more about this in your story discussion. It held/holds a fascination... :sparkle: