26 Comments
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Susan Ross's avatar

I loved this. Imagination is indeed an under-utilised power. Thank you.

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Silvio Castelletti's avatar

Thank you so much. And yes, it definitely is. :)

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Kristin Posehn's avatar

Gorgeous Silvio!

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Silvio Castelletti's avatar

Thank you, Kristin!

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Ben Wakeman's avatar

This was wonderfully trippy. I love the conceit that some mysterious novelist is waiting in another dimension to write our stories.

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Silvio Castelletti's avatar

Thank you so much, Ben! Yes, that idea has been on my mind forever. What if there's a novel written about each of us somewhere?

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Rose Campbell's avatar

Oh I think there is - isn’t that what The Akashic Records are?!

BTW, I loved this story - very fantastical and thought-provoking. Also, if you really were pressed for time when writing it… well, it doesn’t show!

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Silvio Castelletti's avatar

Thank you so much, Rose. No, I'm not familiar with those. Now I want to know more, though. Sometimes things just flow out of you when least think about them. :)

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Nathan Slake's avatar

As wondrous and as surrealism-tiptoeing as always, Silvio. Magical work and a great premise.

I especially loved the continual stream of uninterrupted words from Clara.

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Silvio Castelletti's avatar

Thank you so much, Nathan! That bit of stream of consciousness without a period is something I’ve been wanting to experiment with for a while, in the style of Bolaño (though obviously light-years worse than his). I'm glad you liked this one; I was so pressed for time and put it together in a great rush. Honored to see you commenting, as always!

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Nathan Slake's avatar

You really nailed it, it it certainly makes me want to read some Bolaño. There’s a rushing flow to it. I really admire when writers can create a huge long sentence and yet it still lives and breathes without support from a period.

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Silvio Castelletti's avatar

Well, Bolaño is an absolute master at that. If you haven't read him yet, I’ll take the liberty of recommending 'By Night in Chile'. The novel is one long, semi-stream-of-consciousness recounting of the protagonist's life, as if told in a never ending rant. Some passages go on for an entire page without a period, yet you won’t miss their flow or purpose.

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Nathan Slake's avatar

Very much appreciate the recommendation, thanks Silvio!

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Tim Connolly's avatar

A wonderful captivating story Silvio. Thank you

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Silvio Castelletti's avatar

Thank you so much, Tim!

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Carol Gee's avatar

Just wow. I loved that!

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Silvio Castelletti's avatar

Thank you, Carol!

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Ki M's avatar

Love it! Can’t wait for another chapter? ❤️

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Silvio Castelletti's avatar

Thank you so much! Who knows? Maybe.

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Ki M's avatar

I’ll be looking 👀 🫶🏼

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CansaFis Foote's avatar

...you read like dreams good man...

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Silvio Castelletti's avatar

Thanks so much, my friend.

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Tina Friesen's avatar

I love the photo!

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Silvio Castelletti's avatar

Mee too!

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Kathleen Clare Waller's avatar

Just adore this! The circles of reality and inner minds mixed in a Bolano labyrinth - what a cool way to play with the truths of our world. Brava Silvio!

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Silvio Castelletti's avatar

Thank you, Kate! The "Bolano labyrinth" is a fantastic way of putting it. I think it encapsulates the essence of his writing. Glad to see you're a fan as well. :)

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