The Library and the ugly truth
How both can save you39 total reviews
Comment from T B Botts
Hello Lancellot,
I was searching through the read column and wanted to read articles that were recognized at least and I came across this post. It's worthy of a six, but I awarded the last one several days ago. I know that this is an old post, but I wish you would repost it, it's worth reading again, and chances are there are people on the site now that weren't on when you wrote this. I applaud your candor and your determination to excel in your life. It shows in your writing. Well done.
Have a blessed evening.
Tom
reply by the author on 21-Dec-2023
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Hello Lancellot,
I was searching through the read column and wanted to read articles that were recognized at least and I came across this post. It's worthy of a six, but I awarded the last one several days ago. I know that this is an old post, but I wish you would repost it, it's worth reading again, and chances are there are people on the site now that weren't on when you wrote this. I applaud your candor and your determination to excel in your life. It shows in your writing. Well done.
Have a blessed evening.
Tom
Comment Written 21-Dec-2023
reply by the author on 21-Dec-2023
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Thank you very much.
Comment from inksam
Truth can be ugly & truth can be beautiful; this truth has shades of both. Often times truth hurts. What a blessing you found your truth & a way to a better truth, beyond the ugly. It is sad that so many choose to stay in the ugly truth. God blessed you & your writing, may He continue to do so.
reply by the author on 28-Apr-2022
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Truth can be ugly & truth can be beautiful; this truth has shades of both. Often times truth hurts. What a blessing you found your truth & a way to a better truth, beyond the ugly. It is sad that so many choose to stay in the ugly truth. God blessed you & your writing, may He continue to do so.
Comment Written 27-Apr-2022
reply by the author on 28-Apr-2022
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Thank you very much
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You are welcome.
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You are welcome.
Comment from Elizabeth Emerald
SSSSSStunning. A punch to the gut--a startling twist on the usual coming of age story. Compelling and provocative. Though it is admirable that you triumphed over demoralizing circumstances rather than took the path of least resistance, my approbation is irrelevant as regards the rating, as it should be. The six is for the sheer power and brutal honesty of this stellar piece. SSSSSStupendous. Cheerssssss. LIZ
reply by the author on 02-Aug-2021
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SSSSSStunning. A punch to the gut--a startling twist on the usual coming of age story. Compelling and provocative. Though it is admirable that you triumphed over demoralizing circumstances rather than took the path of least resistance, my approbation is irrelevant as regards the rating, as it should be. The six is for the sheer power and brutal honesty of this stellar piece. SSSSSStupendous. Cheerssssss. LIZ
Comment Written 02-Aug-2021
reply by the author on 02-Aug-2021
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Thank you very much.
Comment from Frank Ball
I noticed one sentence that wasn't. Still, the story is not only well written but also interesting and worthy in other respects. There are enough failures to hold to standard American English to prompt me to suggest the use of Grammarly or a program like that.
reply by the author on 02-Aug-2021
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I noticed one sentence that wasn't. Still, the story is not only well written but also interesting and worthy in other respects. There are enough failures to hold to standard American English to prompt me to suggest the use of Grammarly or a program like that.
Comment Written 02-Aug-2021
reply by the author on 02-Aug-2021
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You are right. This was five years ago. I did get Grammarly.
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Good; I like your story.
Comment from Jeff Watkins
All time best? Absolutely. I would like to read your explanation the existence of ghetto cultures of whatever color. My parents and everyone around me were poor. I remember a house with no refrigerator and just a hot plate for cooking. However, there were no gangs, and I never thought of myself as poor or disadvantaged. Like you, I became a voracious reader early in life. In the second grade I would read newspaper reports about the Korean war and then report my findings during show and tell--until the teacher told me that no one else was interested, and that I should find other topics. Unlike you, I had parents and grandparents that were good role models. Also unlike you, a strong work ethic was the rule and not the exception in the culture I grew up in. Without those influences, I would probably have been one of those kids who beat and chased you. Thank you for this essay. I am writing an autobiography, chapters of which will appear now and then in FS.
reply by the author on 27-Apr-2021
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All time best? Absolutely. I would like to read your explanation the existence of ghetto cultures of whatever color. My parents and everyone around me were poor. I remember a house with no refrigerator and just a hot plate for cooking. However, there were no gangs, and I never thought of myself as poor or disadvantaged. Like you, I became a voracious reader early in life. In the second grade I would read newspaper reports about the Korean war and then report my findings during show and tell--until the teacher told me that no one else was interested, and that I should find other topics. Unlike you, I had parents and grandparents that were good role models. Also unlike you, a strong work ethic was the rule and not the exception in the culture I grew up in. Without those influences, I would probably have been one of those kids who beat and chased you. Thank you for this essay. I am writing an autobiography, chapters of which will appear now and then in FS.
Comment Written 27-Apr-2021
reply by the author on 27-Apr-2021
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Thank you very much
Comment from lotgrinder
I recently got into taking writing seriously when I discovered maybe I had a hint of talent and was asked to provide more short stories about my life from all the online poker forums I joined over the years. I am by no means a literary or writing expert and I don't read much myself. When I write, I just pick a story or subject I want to talk about, then I start hammering on the keyboard and I finish most my stuff in just one take and a few edits a hour after I go back and read it again. Anyway, what I wanted to tell you, was that I am probably a bad or unqualified reviewer, but I been looking through some stories and stuff on this site for a while, kind of leaned back in my chair, and your story was the first that gripped me and made me sit up, straighten my back, and pay attention to every word. I could tell you wrote this straight from the bone underneath your skin and even though I think its sort of an uppity, "Ha Ha Ha those dumb niggers who used to pick on me" type piece, I just wanted to write that I respect it's brutal honesty. I gave it a four starts instead of six because like I said, I do not read a lot. I wanted to leave room to rate something higher if I find it.
This rating does not count towards story rating or author rank.
The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.
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I recently got into taking writing seriously when I discovered maybe I had a hint of talent and was asked to provide more short stories about my life from all the online poker forums I joined over the years. I am by no means a literary or writing expert and I don't read much myself. When I write, I just pick a story or subject I want to talk about, then I start hammering on the keyboard and I finish most my stuff in just one take and a few edits a hour after I go back and read it again. Anyway, what I wanted to tell you, was that I am probably a bad or unqualified reviewer, but I been looking through some stories and stuff on this site for a while, kind of leaned back in my chair, and your story was the first that gripped me and made me sit up, straighten my back, and pay attention to every word. I could tell you wrote this straight from the bone underneath your skin and even though I think its sort of an uppity, "Ha Ha Ha those dumb niggers who used to pick on me" type piece, I just wanted to write that I respect it's brutal honesty. I gave it a four starts instead of six because like I said, I do not read a lot. I wanted to leave room to rate something higher if I find it.
This rating does not count towards story rating or author rank.
The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.
Comment Written 15-Jun-2017
Comment from wilkswrites
I really enjoyed reading this piece. I could definitely relate. Growing up in Brooklyn, my sister and twin brother and myself used to come home from school, put our books down, change clothes, and head out to the only library in our neighborhood. We crossed abandoned lots, and climbed a fence to get there. Once inside, we were in literary heaven. My favorite books at the time were written by Donald Goins, and Richard Wright. I love to this day biographies and autobiographies. I am sure that my reading skills landed me in AP English and also enhanced my writing skills.
Your piece also reminded me of my mom who cleaned house for a living. It also reminded me of one lady who I worked for in the middle of the ghetto, who was responsible for getting me into college. To this day, I help youth get from HS to college, because I was helped in that way. It only takes one person to help to change a young person's life.
I thought about your questions about having ever heard of anyone being killed or mugged in the library. I believe you are right.
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I really enjoyed reading this piece. I could definitely relate. Growing up in Brooklyn, my sister and twin brother and myself used to come home from school, put our books down, change clothes, and head out to the only library in our neighborhood. We crossed abandoned lots, and climbed a fence to get there. Once inside, we were in literary heaven. My favorite books at the time were written by Donald Goins, and Richard Wright. I love to this day biographies and autobiographies. I am sure that my reading skills landed me in AP English and also enhanced my writing skills.
Your piece also reminded me of my mom who cleaned house for a living. It also reminded me of one lady who I worked for in the middle of the ghetto, who was responsible for getting me into college. To this day, I help youth get from HS to college, because I was helped in that way. It only takes one person to help to change a young person's life.
I thought about your questions about having ever heard of anyone being killed or mugged in the library. I believe you are right.
Comment Written 10-Feb-2017
Comment from Meia (MESAYERS)
I had to give this six stars, its jaw-droppingly good.I was moved and motivated to read on and on.I could picture your descriptions so clearly.A tough topic but you put a hard hitting message across in fine words and flowing poetic style,with realistic dialogue and some amazing messages.I will be bookmarking this its deservedly an all time best.
reply by the author on 01-Jan-2017
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I had to give this six stars, its jaw-droppingly good.I was moved and motivated to read on and on.I could picture your descriptions so clearly.A tough topic but you put a hard hitting message across in fine words and flowing poetic style,with realistic dialogue and some amazing messages.I will be bookmarking this its deservedly an all time best.
Comment Written 01-Jan-2017
reply by the author on 01-Jan-2017
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Thank you very much.
Comment from Sandra Stoner-Mitchell
That was really good. I think you did well taking advantage of opportunities that came your way. White kids are the same, born into poverty, if they would only read. Reading really is the best way to learn about anything. We all should grab hold of opportunities whenever and however we can. There is only one winner if you do, and only one loser if you don't ... you! I really enjoyed your story, and I am so pleased you told it. Good luck in the contest. :) Sandra xx
reply by the author on 01-Jan-2017
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That was really good. I think you did well taking advantage of opportunities that came your way. White kids are the same, born into poverty, if they would only read. Reading really is the best way to learn about anything. We all should grab hold of opportunities whenever and however we can. There is only one winner if you do, and only one loser if you don't ... you! I really enjoyed your story, and I am so pleased you told it. Good luck in the contest. :) Sandra xx
Comment Written 01-Jan-2017
reply by the author on 01-Jan-2017
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Thank you very much.
Comment from trumby
This piece well and truly deserves a six, mate, for it's information content alone.
I thought that it was interesting, well thought out and diplomatic.
To be honest, I didn't think that it was racist for colored people to call other colored people "niggas", but I'm an Aussie. The race relations in America are a bit of a mystery to me.
reply by the author on 01-Jan-2017
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This piece well and truly deserves a six, mate, for it's information content alone.
I thought that it was interesting, well thought out and diplomatic.
To be honest, I didn't think that it was racist for colored people to call other colored people "niggas", but I'm an Aussie. The race relations in America are a bit of a mystery to me.
Comment Written 01-Jan-2017
reply by the author on 01-Jan-2017
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Thank you very much.
