I loved this, Jan. Very perfectly done! The language was wonderful...it brought up a past time, but it wasn't distracting while doing so. Your characters were good, too. Poor Lizzie seems very real (if not a particularly interesting person) and Julius is very Malfoyish. So is his father. Very resourceful, both of them. I love that Julius and his descendent think of the same sort of use for the cabinet.
A few random favourite lines:
His heart collapsed in on itself, responding as only hearts can to the desperate sound of another heart in torment. The thought of Borgin actually having a heart is interesting. But I really like the sentiment. It's very true.
Well, Cupid stepped in and challenged Fate to a duel. I love this because the idea is quite poetic, but the 'well' makes it very practical and down to earth. The same sort of thing as saying, well, I went to town yesterday.
A glorious truffle of a day *grins* I am calling all good days truffles from now on! Love this.
Other bits I enjoyed (because this is a birthday review and therefore ought to be all fluffy!) were your descriptions of Lizzie, James, and Julius. Especially Julius and your rock line of thought. Also the names. Julius and Caius were spot on, of course, but I was thinking about Mr and Mrs Cutler and so on. I laughed out loud; they took me by surprise.
Very charming, tragic fic. I enjoyed every word!
Courtesy of The Naughty Penguin Society
Author's Response: Hee hee... more naughty penguins! Thank you for such a lovely review. And here's to lots of truffle-like days!
This is ONE DAY'S work? I am in awe...
That poor woman! That nasty Julius! Now I have all sorts of questions running through my mind. What happened to her when Draco fixed the cabinet? Is she still alive in there? Montague was gone for weeks and survived without food or water... (He also apparated out of the cabinet, on Hogwarts Grounds... that has always bothered me...) Could this poor woman walk out of the cabinet one hundred years after she went in? That would be very interesting to see.
She is a very real character to me, and in a funny, inverse proportion warped kind of way reminds me of her antithesis, Emma Bovary. Thank you for this terrific story.
Author's Response: Now, see, you've given me the idea for a follow up with this review. I'm glad you enjoyed it. I realy loved writing it. *hugs*
Very artful. I never would have thought of the vanishing cabinet as having such a rich history! i really enjoyed your fic.
Author's Response: Thank you. Glad you liked it.
how sad! but very well written!!! I loved your imagery!!!
Author's Response: It was sad, but I'm glad you liked it. :-)
I know that you submitted this for a contest, so I am not sure if we are supposed to review it... I had to tell you that I really liked it. It is really well written!!
Author's Response: Thanks, Khrys! It was a rabid Plot Bunny that attacked this morning. And yes, please review... even for contest submission. :-)
