Comments for Freedom Fiction Journal

Comment on A Hotel of This Caliber by Robert Duffy by billy h tope

billy h tope — Tue, 18 Feb 2025 14:26:52 +0000

A really amusing defenestrative adventure led by two miscreant Soviet/Russian era thugs Roxtov and Korzov (I’m not certain I got their names right even now). The only criticism I have of the whole wonderful piece is the use of names which are so similar that I lost track of who did what; but, that’s minor. I thought the blunt descriptives were terrific, like when the author likened the cranium of an unfortunate victim to a coconut husk. Cynical observation bled into slapstick to wonderful effect. The thugs were the gang that couldn’t shoot straight and their haphazard thuggery could be likened to Monty Python on SNL. I loved this.

Comment on The Mat by Paul Goodwin by billy h tope

billy h tope — Mon, 17 Feb 2025 14:37:25 +0000

Good, tongue-in-cheek narrative of a seemingly-innocent mat that takes on a life of its own in the mind of the protagonist. Reveals normal folks’ kinks, superstitious and attitudes to the fore as they respond to the inanimate object.. Like all top fiction, it leaves the conclusion indeterminate and the reader speculating on what is in the offing. Nice one.

Comment on Tat by Donna Gum by Donna Gum

Donna Gum — Fri, 14 Feb 2025 15:43:44 +0000

In reply to Kat Mulvihill. Thank you, Kat, for that wonderful comment.

Comment on Tat by Donna Gum by Kat Mulvihill

Kat Mulvihill — Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:44:42 +0000

What an intriguing story, one that sticks in the mind. Wonderfully written with step by step wonder.

Comment on Tat by Donna Gum by Donna Gum

Donna Gum — Wed, 12 Feb 2025 09:40:31 +0000

In reply to billy h tope. Thank you for reading. I hadn't thought about a book of these stories.

Comment on Tat by Donna Gum by billy h tope

billy h tope — Tue, 11 Feb 2025 21:31:36 +0000

Very impactful story, Donna. It was short and sweet but, had you the mind to, you could turn it into a series of short stories, with the ultimate ambiition of a book-length project. I wish you’d consider this idea; I’ll read it!

Comment on Saturday Knight Fever by Bud Pharo by Bud Pharo

Bud Pharo — Tue, 11 Feb 2025 17:14:39 +0000

In reply to billy h tope.

Bill,

Thanks for the kind words and the shout out for one of my other stories. Also, your comment, “Monty Python-like delight,” is high praise.

Thanks!
Bud

Comment on Glengarry Glen Cookie by Jon Wesick by billy h tope

billy h tope — Mon, 10 Feb 2025 13:21:35 +0000

Wow, Jon, this was positively surreal. It was aptly named, as it referenced the hard scrabble world of peddling Girl Scout cookies to a fickle hoi polloi. I laughed out loud as everthing seemed to hinge on the next sale of cookies. With respect to the daughter/mother relationship, it appears that the apple didn’t fall from the tree. Like your previous FFJ story, this one was excellent. Can’t wait for the next one!

Comment on Saturday Knight Fever by Bud Pharo by billy h tope

billy h tope — Sat, 08 Feb 2025 01:43:40 +0000

When I read this story, I recognized the distinctive wise-cracking, delightful sense of humor and journied to Fiction on the Web Short Stories and turned up “Come Hell or High Cholesterol: A Vegan Boot Camp Tale” by the inimitable Bud Pharo. The present story was narrated, like the MC, half in- and half out-of chracter and it was a Monty Python-like delight. Looking forward to your next story, Bud!

Comment on Planet B5-2 by Paul Cesarini by billy h tope

billy h tope — Thu, 06 Feb 2025 15:23:36 +0000

This story was a hoot! While dealing with the absurdity of a music-induced Awakening, the fiction dealt likewise with gender roles, patriarchy and the insignificance of a life. The tale was very long, but I read it without stopping, I was so swept up. Accordingly, I put on Bowie’s “Young Americans,” Adele’s “Hello” and Van Morrison’s “Into the Mystic” to cap the morning off. Thanks for sharing your terrific story, Paul!