Comment from Alexandra Trovato

Excellent

It is horrible that anyone should have to dodge shrapnel, but better to live another day, to do so. The thinnest of silver linings. I pray for peace constantly.

Well written and significant,

Alex

 Comment Written 08-Nov-2023

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reply by the author on 05-Dec-2023

Thanks for reading and reviewing zanya

Comment from jim vecchio

Excellent

This was a very effective piece of flash fiction. Imagine a terrible world in which dodging shrapnel becomes commonplace! Yet, it has happened and is still happening. Your words re both simple and alarming.

 Comment Written 07-Nov-2023

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reply by the author on 05-Dec-2023

Great review zanya

reply by jim vecchio on 05-Dec-2023

Great work!-jim

Comment from Navada

Excellent

Thank you for the share. This raised some questions for me. Where is the danger posed by the "shrapnel" to be found - outside, in the metro, or at the end of the journey once these "subterranean scholars" successfully make their way to school? Is this a commentary on school shootings, underground perils or clumsy sledders? Either way, I liked the air of mystery surrounding Yanni's wound.

 Comment Written 06-Nov-2023

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reply by the author on 05-Dec-2023

Thanks for reading and reviewing zanya

Comment from patcelaw

Excellent

This is an interesting 75 word flash fiction that you have written. You have written it well and I wish you the very best in the contest. I also wish for you that you have a good day and may God bless.

 Comment Written 05-Nov-2023

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reply by the author on 05-Dec-2023

Thanks for reviewing zanya

Comment from Bill Schott

Excellent

This seventy-five-word flash fiction story, Subterranean Scholars, has the proper word count and makes the readers realize that what we see on tv is reality. Kids, whom we coax to school here, do not need to fear for their lives as well.

 Comment Written 05-Nov-2023

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reply by the author on 05-Dec-2023

Thanks for reading zanya

Comment from Sanku

Excellent

This short fiction is excellent. The children are from war torn areas (Ukrain?) It is so sad that they spend their lives trying to survive the bombs. What about their childhood...

 Comment Written 05-Nov-2023

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reply by the author on 05-Dec-2023

Thanks for reviewing zanya

Comment from lyenochka

Excellent

There's a lot that's implied here. I'm guessing these could be Ukrainian children who are running even using a sled to carry the injured younger brother as they go to school underground in a subway station? That's how I understand this and it describes the horrible reality of life for kids during a war. Best wishes in the contest!

 Comment Written 04-Nov-2023

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reply by the author on 05-Dec-2023

Thanks for reading zanya

Comment from Karen Cherry Threadgill

Excellent

A harrowing thought of things already and possible things to come here. And very well written for just having 75 words to say it all. I wish you good luck in the contest. Karen

 Comment Written 04-Nov-2023

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reply by the author on 05-Dec-2023

Thanks for reviewing zanya

reply by Karen Cherry Threadgill on 05-Dec-2023

U R Welcome Karen

Comment from Liz O'Neill

Excellent

The descriptive setting is a good foreshadowing. I like your wordplay around the word leaden. The sky would be leaden in many ways with shapnel flying through the air. I don't know if the word "leaden." was fully thought out. If not, your muses overachieved.

 Comment Written 04-Nov-2023

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reply by the author on 05-Dec-2023

Great review zanya

reply by Liz O'Neill on 05-Dec-2023

***Smile***

Comment from Jesse James Doty

Excellent

This is one of many commentaries on the Gaza Strip and Israel and the battle between the two. I get the gist of what you are saying but I wonder why take sides when the two of them have been at it for as long as history is in the making. I choose not to take sides. You have stated your case well and with plenty of forethought. Well done.
Jesse

 Comment Written 04-Nov-2023

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reply by the author on 05-Dec-2023

Thanks for reading and reviewing zanya