Still Life with Three Boys by Frederic

[Chris James]

Insightful is the word that comes to mind after reading this story. Three moments in time give us the means to look back in a middle-aged man's life and see when he developed the understanding many of us have to face at some point.

I would be remiss if I did not say that Frederic has been writing such wonderful stories for quite some time. I first came across his American Cupcake story some years ago and then found myself devouring his epic Fifteen. Both of those stories were more aggressive treatments of the gay characters, but I found them to be marvels of construction in the English language.

With Still Life, Frederic has climbed into the head of his main character and given us an empathetic, and as I said, insightful look at the coming of age story. Thank you, Frederic, and bravo for a delightful read.

Look for it here: http://www.awesomedude.com/tsf/still_life_with_three_boys.htm

[Merkin]

An astonishing, thoughtful, well-constructed piece of writing. Grabbed me at the start and held me tight all the way through.
Kudos, Frederic.

[Nigel Gordon]

This is the first time I have come across this writer, I must find more of his work to read. This is powerful writing done well.

[dude]

Frederic has been with us since the early days of AwesomeDude. If you want to read more of his stories try http://awesomedude.com/tsf/.

[Lugnutz]

This is the first time I have come across this writer, I must find more of his work to read. This is powerful writing done well.

He said it well. Same for me. This was the first time reading his work.

[Camy]

'Still Life With Three Boys' is powerfully written and poignant.

This was the first time reading his work.

Might I recommend Fifteen as a good place to start.

[The Pecman]

I agree -- this is extremely good writing. Best thing I've read all year (so far).

[Jeff Ellis]

Everyone is right... isn't that nice!

Great call Camy, Fifteen is even better and appears to go on forever, or else it feels that way halfway through the first chapter.

And... "it"... His writing is so good that he doesn't need to pretend to be coy about "it", and that's a nice change.

I think I'm in heaven... Well done Chris for starting the thread!

[Guest Dabeagle]

A very interesting and moving piece, three chapters of a life woven with the lessons learned. I couldn't help but feel the sadness that went with all the lessons learned and I sort of hoped for some kind of - and now I am this - kind of ending. Straong writing.