There is more to life than just happiness. Searching for it, cherishing those moments. There are times that he has been so happy and he has never felt more alive. But then again, there are times when he has been so sad and he has never felt so alive. Maybe they should change the meaning of life then. Don't look for happiness. Look to feel. We must all learn how to feel. Oh my god. That really hits me hard right now. Your writing just sort of does that. It envelops the reader (or me, I guess) in everything. Quinn and Fern. People I know. People I don't know. The (few) people I love so much it hurts. Myself.
I did not comment on this when I first read it. I think I didn't really grasp it the first time because I was so young and I thought it was just a lot of pretty imagery on a pink background. But now? Oh god this story is just beautifully brutal and I have to say that I need that right now.
He understands it now, as he had when he'd first seen her in the aviary. "My father likes to keep beautiful things," she'd said. "Ah," Quinn had remarked on that, "I understand why he protects you so much then." hi so i'll probably read all of this strangely fast and kind of quiet but i want you to know that this line made me smile and made my heart hurt at the same time. this is so great.
I remember reading this years ago now for the first time and absolutely bawling my eyes out. I never was one for commenting on stories back then, so I guess I never did comment. I'm not coming back to comment on this as one of my favourite stories on the site overall.
Honestly, I never tire of reading this. The story of Quinn and Fern is absolutely incredible - so original and filled with more emotions than I can actually fathom. The idea of Fern spending all of her time trying to find Quinn is absolutely amazing, it really shows the depths of love as a whole. As characters, I grew to love both of them and although it was completely heartbreaking, the ending made me feel so happy that they both finally managed to get back to each other.
Something that always strikes me every time I read this is the small paragraph you have about loss in the first chapter. I think you've just done an absolutely magnificent job of putting into words what most others can't. I always found the phrase 'sorry for your loss' a little strange anyway, but you've managed to say what I couldn't ever form into words and I think that's absolutely incredible. Just that tiny little piece of writing really made this story for me.
You've certainly got a way of using the English language as your own. Your writing style is simply amazing, absolutely beautiful. You use imagery in a way that really does make me quite jealous, haha! I think what separates this story from the rest, though, is how you've managed to weave raw emotion within every single letter. There wasn't a chapter went by that I didn't feel so overwhelmed with happiness, rage or sadness. When I remember reading this the first time, I had to read it in sections because it really was absolutely overwhelming.
So. A few years after reading this for the first time, I still feel the exact same emotions as I did back then. I always meant to come back and comment on this, but I always forget. The ending was stunning, everything was perfect. An absolutely incredible read.
I remember when you first started writing this story, way back in the day. If I remember correctly, you were only at chapter three before I took my hiatus, but even then I knew this was going to be brilliant. Now, after all this time, it is done. It has been done, but for me it is finally done. All of these feels.
I read it in one sitting, because I needed it to be done for me just like it was finally done for them, you know? I'm so glad. It was perfect. Better than that, better than I remembered and better than I could have predicted all those years ago.
Thank you.
I'm so full of emotions right now, but I know that a part of that is happiness. Sadness too, but also this quiet sense of completeness, and I guess that in itself is mixed with happiness and sadness.
I've read seven chapters of this lovely piece of literature and I already adore everything about it. Absolutely amazing, thank you for sharing it with us!
I've only read the first two chapters but let me tell you, you are an amazing, phenomenal writer. Honestly, I've heard great things about your stuff but I don't think I've taken the time to venture around and read it myself. This is literally...written so well and it flows so smoothly. I'm at school right now or I would give you an in depth critique, but don't worry! I'm coming back to read this.
I have just completed the magnificent novel that is 'We Were Birds' and I just can't even fathom most of my feelings into actual and usable words. Is this an appropriate reaction to this amazing story: ifutygshjkhgfdtserdyuiohgfd? Because that's what I feel.
I've never been huge into romances, but I'm a sucker for something sad and this beautifully combined both. I actually found myself crying a few times, and laughing, and smiling, and just enjoying the lives -and deaths- that were Fern and Quinn.
Also, I loved that a lot of this had strong themes/connections/feelings/moods from If I Stay and Spirited Away because those are two absolute amazing things.
I'm so happy I chose to read and review this novel. It has made a significant difference in my life.
Chapter Six: Again, so much beauty, you have no idea. The characters are so realistic- and your realism is what's so enticing. It's hard to believe characters as opposite as these could be together but you blend them well.
Ugh this chapter had me screaming at Fern like the entire time! However, I understand it was because of her dad, which makes me hate him. This chapter also featured small things about Quinn's father and I like him so far, he seems like a good man.
Chapter Seven: A majestic addition to such a heartwarming story! The more this story progresses, the more I fall in love with the plot and the characters- even the minor characters like Jane and Henry...a boy without a mother and a woman who looks after him because she fears what lies beyond Limbo. It's deep and emotional and interesting.
I'm in love with this story
Chapter Eight: It's sort of heartbreakingly ironic that Quinn has come across the same woman that Fern had, and yet there's no indication of any help from her, not really. I feel as though Quinn could just mention Fern and her looks, Vivian could tell him what she knows. Yet again, maybe not, for death has a way of erasing the things you knew in the past, as you've said.
I am anxious to see where this adventure takes Quinn and Vivian, and I'm hoping he and Fern meet up eventually.
Chapter Nine: Could I just take a moment to again praise you for having the greatest and most magnificent thing I've ever read. I've read many great books and stories and this is definitely on my top lists!
I love that Jane and Henry moved on together. I had a sneaking suspicion that Henry's mom would not come or that she'd already moved on but either way, she would not be found. They found solace in each other and therefore went to their final solace together. I feel bad that Fern stayed behind. But she has to find Quinn, and therefore I'm just as determined as her!
Chapter Ten: I hate to criticize for once, but there were a few mistakes and errors in this chapter, but I assume it was just a fluke: you were tired or something. Other than those tiny errors, another amazing chapter. I love the escape. Her letting the birds out of the aviary being a symbolic way and literal way of setting herself free from her own cage is peer genius! Brilliant!
First off, I have chosen to review this story for the mibba-magazine. I've noticed that you are not really active as of late but perhaps you will appreciate this nonetheless.
Layout: Very pink but all of it blends well and I quite enjoy it. I notice a surplus of flowers, so I'm hoping this is relevant to the story.
Chapter One: Very interesting prologue; I love introductions like this. They give you a little something to imagine, give you names and places, and you're left with only your mind to conjure up what comes next.
This also had some strong writing points in it; you write with such a natural flow and it's beautiful. I really like these lines:
They grew up in the usual way, made friends, went to school, learned arithmetic and geography and read Herman Melville's Moby Dick.
The birds, they'd say, I remember the birds.
For some reason, I find those to be brilliantly written. Simple, sure, but beautiful.
Chapter Two: Powerful words, powerful chapter. My dear, you write with the grace of a dancer and your words are anything if not poetry. I loved this chapter for it's depth and emotion. The things she knew about Quinn that others didn't -his 11 smiles and 24 adjectives to describe them- was both saddening and brilliant.
I'm glad to understand a bit more about the birds references for the story, but her father being a professor of avians -and having an aviary- kind of tied it together. I'm still a bit in the dark, which is good.
Brilliantly done.
Chapter Three: Oh my God, such an amazing chapter. I feel as if you deserve all the praise in the world. Quinn is an interesting character; a fragment of a man who has died, a man who is the essence of the sea and misses the smells of a woman who he forever loves. He's carefree and loving, and yet he's careful and patient.
This story is so unlike anything I have ever read. I don't ever recall seeing a story about finding love after life has ended, at least not in this way.
I love the writing in this. As always, you have a great flow and your emotion is so gripping. You describe things so beautifully and it makes even a place as maddeningly scary as Limbo seem utterly like perfection.
I will read on, and I am sure that I will end up crying.
Chapter Four: Poor Fern, dying unintentionally by accidentally starving herself. In away, I'm happy for her. All that existed in that life was a hole that had once been Quinn and his existence and a home she lived in that was all too empty. At least here in this beautiful world of death you created she can at least find someone she'd loved so dearly.
Again, I have nothing to criticize because you write so freaking beautifully! This story is too perfect, I swear it!
Chapter Five: Such a beautiful memory, I was practically fan-girling the entire time. It was cute and funny and so bitter sweet. And as always, your mastery of writing made the chapter so easy and wonderful to read. You are such a magnificent author.
I hardly come across a story as well written as this one, where the characters that are opposites are actually believable. I may actually ship Quinn and Fern together!
God, I can't believe I didn't find this story sooner and I found it on Project Fiction, of all things.
This story literally makes my heart ache and is going to be one that I'll always remember, finding myself coming back to it to read it all over again. I truly hope that this is published some day because I will own it and keep it close to my heart.
Fast Car (Boyce Avenue cover) I was listening to this song and was reminded of your beautiful story. Its been years since I read it but it is still one of my favorite stories.
I read this when you first finished it, so I guess that was two years ago.
But this story has never left my mind and is definitely the best thing I've read on this site or any other. It's probably one of the best I've read ever.
Your writing is impeccable. Every chapter and every line has an undeniable beauty to it. Two years ago, it surpassed my writing skills and I still haven't been able to catch up.
When this is published, I intend to buy it and read it forever haha.
This is one of the most touching things I've read in a very long time. A VERY long time. I feel as if I am different after reading it; enlightened somehow. This is truly one of the best stories I've ever read, both on Mibba and actually published. I'm in tears right now. I was okay up until that last line, then I lost it.
If you were to ever get this published, I would buy it in a heartbeat. Please, if you decide to, let me know. This story was amazing, and you are an amazing writer.