It was spiteful to think so, maybe, but not unfair. Never unfair. Dr. Kenneth Strand was the richest man on Ferris Island, likely richer than most on the mainland, too. Generational wealth, deep and unyielding. He could provide for any woman’s desires.
You described the house he lived in as: a grand place, but Kenneth could not help but notice the fading wallpaper, the cobwebs his old housekeeper couldn’t reach, the increasing dust, and the smell of must and mildew coming from somewhere—he did not know where.
That all speaks of a man who doesn't pay attention to or try to fix the defects of his vast house.
If a man won't take care of his house, why would he take care of a woman?
After a week of begging the spirits, he shows his depravity with a life and begs for a woman to be made captive to his desires.
So much for the upstanding doctor.
I can't wait to see what happens in the next part. I foresee something very grisly happening.
enthralling! we are all desperate for Kenneth to reap a just harvest from the bitter seeds he has sown. some lovely lines here and a genuine gasp of horror when he baskets up old Putnam as a sacrificial offering. his doom is surely sealed. we await the inevitable. but what will it look like!
Not me sitting here wincing with every line Kenneth added to his bargain. If he'd stopped after, "Take him away from this world," he might have stood a chance, but wanting what his brother has? (including poverty, faith, responsibility?) What Kenneth *deserves* to have? Take him "all the way away"...? My dude. You didn't pay enough attention to your mom's stories, not by half.
You cheated because spooky season doesn't "officially" start until October 1. And now, with that in mind, I can only imagine this is a romance story... right? Right?!?
I think this might be the most villainous protagonist in a Talebones story so far. The protagonist of the Shell was sympathetic enough in part one that the reveal of his real motive made for a sense of a mystery, and the others don't really get near villain territory. But this guy, Strand, fuck him, I'm reading on to see how the line 'give me what I deserve' ruins him.
Interesting to have a character in the backstory who never came around to Ferris Island. The islanders care for it so much that even in backstory (well somewhat with the ghost) it's interesting to have a character stand in stark contrast to it.
OHHH EM GEEE. I love this. The part about the governess and mother's stories reminded me of a scene in my own book, also a nanny telling two boys fairy stories. Now off to read part two!
I fear Dr. Strand has no idea what he has asked. "...the nearby church bell pealed over the lake, shattering the calm of an otherwise perfectly lovely Sunday morning." The calm will for sure be shattered by his demands!
Homeboy has obviously never made bargains with the Folk before! "Give me what I deserve" - yiiikes this is gonna go badly for him! Also, poor Putnam. Although, I wonder if maybe Putnam isn't all he seemed to be ..??
It was spiteful to think so, maybe, but not unfair. Never unfair. Dr. Kenneth Strand was the richest man on Ferris Island, likely richer than most on the mainland, too. Generational wealth, deep and unyielding. He could provide for any woman’s desires.
You described the house he lived in as: a grand place, but Kenneth could not help but notice the fading wallpaper, the cobwebs his old housekeeper couldn’t reach, the increasing dust, and the smell of must and mildew coming from somewhere—he did not know where.
That all speaks of a man who doesn't pay attention to or try to fix the defects of his vast house.
If a man won't take care of his house, why would he take care of a woman?
After a week of begging the spirits, he shows his depravity with a life and begs for a woman to be made captive to his desires.
So much for the upstanding doctor.
I can't wait to see what happens in the next part. I foresee something very grisly happening.
One can only hope the good reverend has a long and happy marriage.
enthralling! we are all desperate for Kenneth to reap a just harvest from the bitter seeds he has sown. some lovely lines here and a genuine gasp of horror when he baskets up old Putnam as a sacrificial offering. his doom is surely sealed. we await the inevitable. but what will it look like!
Not me sitting here wincing with every line Kenneth added to his bargain. If he'd stopped after, "Take him away from this world," he might have stood a chance, but wanting what his brother has? (including poverty, faith, responsibility?) What Kenneth *deserves* to have? Take him "all the way away"...? My dude. You didn't pay enough attention to your mom's stories, not by half.
I cannot wait to see how this falls apart.
Oh, this is going to go very wrong in Part Two, I just know it. The Island is going to get Kenneth for this.
Also, I could be wrong, but I feel like the fact that his last request was made without politeness is going to bite him later.
You cheated because spooky season doesn't "officially" start until October 1. And now, with that in mind, I can only imagine this is a romance story... right? Right?!?
I think this might be the most villainous protagonist in a Talebones story so far. The protagonist of the Shell was sympathetic enough in part one that the reveal of his real motive made for a sense of a mystery, and the others don't really get near villain territory. But this guy, Strand, fuck him, I'm reading on to see how the line 'give me what I deserve' ruins him.
Interesting to have a character in the backstory who never came around to Ferris Island. The islanders care for it so much that even in backstory (well somewhat with the ghost) it's interesting to have a character stand in stark contrast to it.
OHHH EM GEEE. I love this. The part about the governess and mother's stories reminded me of a scene in my own book, also a nanny telling two boys fairy stories. Now off to read part two!
What a great story. Can't wait for part two.
"Indigestion, but of the soul." Brilliant
I fear Dr. Strand has no idea what he has asked. "...the nearby church bell pealed over the lake, shattering the calm of an otherwise perfectly lovely Sunday morning." The calm will for sure be shattered by his demands!
Homeboy has obviously never made bargains with the Folk before! "Give me what I deserve" - yiiikes this is gonna go badly for him! Also, poor Putnam. Although, I wonder if maybe Putnam isn't all he seemed to be ..??
I'm caught. Kenneth is mean. Something terrible is going to happen...
😱
Definitely Gothic, and I love it.
Great so far. And these bargains always fail, there is always a loophole ;-) Can hardly wait!
Can't wait to see how badly this goes wrong in part 2...
Ok S.E., you've got me...again!