Criticism!

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April 5, 2025

JANET K.

Hello Anselm, this is Janet K, from Sydney, Australia. I have indeed been enjoying the book, and look forward to the next installment. Keep it up! I do have one little quibble, though. You say you are “traditional of temperament” and scorn a “web presence.“ Yet here you are, releasing your memoir on a website. What gives?

ANSELM

Good point Janet. Am I not a big hypocrite?

But can we slow down, please. Remember, the story was set some twenty five years ago, and the world has turned since then.

If you can’t beat them, join them? Let’s just put it like this: My memoir starts with the Odyssey. And how did the Greeks infiltrate the city of Troy, to overcome the opposing forces? Maybe A Lovely Man is another Trojan horse!

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May 13, 2026

EMILY

I clicked on a link to the book website, didn’t know what to expect. I dig my genres, you know, romance, fantasy, horror. A psychokiller wouldn’t hurt, if you know what I mean, lol. Can you please get a move on! We work hard for the money, don’t have all day.

ANSELM

Emily, I’m delighted to hear from you. And you deserve your satisfaction. So please, buy some other book! The bargain bin supplies a surfeit of that fare. You live in a free country, entitled to your preference, however pedestrian. You might vote with your feet, but I will still enjoy rare company: Discerning drinkers possess a palate, uncommon readers a sense, as they will confirm in due course!

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May 11, 2026

CONNIE

You’re sure fond of your words!

ANSELM

Connie, I will not apologize. And let’s take advantage, have a little conversation . . . Whatever . . . What would your pleasure be? . . . We just want a good read . . . Public demand, I pooh-pooh the easy pickings. A lasting book does not bow to the reader, a new reader is born of the book . . . Immaculate conception? . . . Like the making of a promise, the word creates the thing. And I have given you my word, you are reading the future of literature, which very declaration suffices for success . . . Arrogance! . . . Good authority! The daredevil gets the girl, the dauntless fighter delivers a knockout, the confident writer builds a trust . . . Is this memoir or manifesto? . . . A novel undertaking!

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April 8, 2025

SIMONE

Here we go again, another book written by a man, who thinks he’s a hero, And interested in a girl, it seems. Ho-hum. Sir, I hate to break it to you, but most readers are women. Like all men, you no doubt think you are vitally important. But really, why should we care?

ANSELM

Simone, you are absolutely correct. I am a man! And like any “vitally important” man, I will not shy from a little advice, though it will doubtless fall on deaf ears. You must fight your war. But if you want to win, would you not best try to understand the enemy? 

You will never read the book, on principle. And on good advice—you thrill to enmity, and that thrill would only be disappointed.