Authentic portrayal of landladies in Vienna. 😅 Marie is one of those who will elicit confessions of the most personal kind from strangers. I read a piece from Silvio the other day about exactly that phenomenon.
Great chapter, Kate, esp. liked how you brought the character of the landlady to life.
Thank you, Alexander! I’m happy to have captured the local flavour. 😉 very interesting idea about characters electing confessions. I hadn’t quite thought of it that way, but it absolutely works. As if she’s a passive sponge at times.
I absolutely love the landlady!…try not kill her off 😂. Another great section and a good strategy to introduce more of the cultural atmosphere to Marie. And nothing gets the lips moving like some caffeine and liquor. Keep it up DKW!
Hey, I really dig Frau Grüber. She’s got a lot going on.
As has the sad and hopeful violinist in the photograph…isn’t it quite the event when photographs in just the situation you set here have that way of finding you. Almost as if they have walked themselves through the ones of the hikers and skiers (very Austrian) to you. I get that you’re sitting this in the story as part of the narrative, but that sense is very real.
And…that whole contradictory thing about a church building not being a place of good: yes! Not always. But sometimes. And when you feel it, it isn’t very unnerving. Compelled to go in, but resistant.
Thanks for all the wonderful feedback, Nicolas. Yeah, the photographs can add a different layer. I would love to have a film version of this with Marie flipping through these kinds of Austrians...
Happy you like Frau Grüber/Christa. She is my favorite character, although minor. You will see her again!
You know, I was thinking about the notion of the minor character who, often, isn’t minor in the impact they have on us as readers. They way they stay with us, long after their part in the story may be finished, is one of the joys of reading.
Beautiful, Kate. It is always so surprising how a simple conversation can open up whole worlds and stir up your entire emotional framework. I enjoyed this a lot. It’s focused on a single scene, and yet makes the reader travel over infinite spaces. “One photograph seemed to jump from the box: a violinist looking sad and hopeful at the same time, somehow.” — Loved this.
Oh I love visits from old ladies bearing chocolate :D AND a secret stash of gold? Holy cow! I would be knocking on every panel and the back of every cupboard for days afterwards!
Wonderful chapter, Kate. The words flow. Although this is "merely" a conversation, it feels grounded and real and sets a great scene. I enjoyed this interaction a lot.
And throughout, I still feel the mystery bubbling at the edges.
I love the way you have captured the chatty landlady, through dialogue, jumping from one topic to the next. It really brings out her character, and leaves the reader wondering what secrets might emerge from this relationship.
Also the observation that "the loneliness in this city was felt by everyone, that the fear of others was universal" is intriguing, keeping the link with the general atmosphere of the city alive.
'I realized then that the loneliness in this city was felt by everyone, that the fear of others was universal.' Again, such keen observation of the local culture, this is something that I never realised but there is indeed a fear of others. So strange. I enjoyed this chapter.
‘More coffee?’
‘No, thank you. Do you have schnapps instead?’
Authentic portrayal of landladies in Vienna. 😅 Marie is one of those who will elicit confessions of the most personal kind from strangers. I read a piece from Silvio the other day about exactly that phenomenon.
Great chapter, Kate, esp. liked how you brought the character of the landlady to life.
Thank you, Alexander! I’m happy to have captured the local flavour. 😉 very interesting idea about characters electing confessions. I hadn’t quite thought of it that way, but it absolutely works. As if she’s a passive sponge at times.
I love that each week I get to get insight on extra bits of Viennese culture :D
Me too!
I absolutely love the landlady!…try not kill her off 😂. Another great section and a good strategy to introduce more of the cultural atmosphere to Marie. And nothing gets the lips moving like some caffeine and liquor. Keep it up DKW!
This is captivating and intertwines beautifully, drawing readers in with anticipation and emotional depth and creating a great read every Saturday.
Thanks so much, Jon! Appreciate your readership ☺️
Hey, I really dig Frau Grüber. She’s got a lot going on.
As has the sad and hopeful violinist in the photograph…isn’t it quite the event when photographs in just the situation you set here have that way of finding you. Almost as if they have walked themselves through the ones of the hikers and skiers (very Austrian) to you. I get that you’re sitting this in the story as part of the narrative, but that sense is very real.
And…that whole contradictory thing about a church building not being a place of good: yes! Not always. But sometimes. And when you feel it, it isn’t very unnerving. Compelled to go in, but resistant.
More of Frau Grüber, I hope.
Thanks for all the wonderful feedback, Nicolas. Yeah, the photographs can add a different layer. I would love to have a film version of this with Marie flipping through these kinds of Austrians...
Happy you like Frau Grüber/Christa. She is my favorite character, although minor. You will see her again!
You know, I was thinking about the notion of the minor character who, often, isn’t minor in the impact they have on us as readers. They way they stay with us, long after their part in the story may be finished, is one of the joys of reading.
“Best supporting actor” | something like this!
A brilliantly economical introduction of Frau Grüber. Is this the plot thickening or the web extending? Either way, a wonderful chapter.
Ah yes, we shall see. 😉 Frau is a minor character but probably my favorite one. Thank you, Jeffrey!
Beautiful, Kate. It is always so surprising how a simple conversation can open up whole worlds and stir up your entire emotional framework. I enjoyed this a lot. It’s focused on a single scene, and yet makes the reader travel over infinite spaces. “One photograph seemed to jump from the box: a violinist looking sad and hopeful at the same time, somehow.” — Loved this.
I appreciate this comment so much, Silvio. It is a desire to create these layers without making them too affected.
Interesting also what Alexander said here in linking my protagonist to your recent work. I like his reflection as well. Thanks very much.
My favourite line, too! I can see it immediately.
This is a vivid and colorful chapter!
Thanks Angel!
Oh I love visits from old ladies bearing chocolate :D AND a secret stash of gold? Holy cow! I would be knocking on every panel and the back of every cupboard for days afterwards!
Find the gold!! :)
Thanks Troy.
There’s gold hidden in there! I just know it! 🤔
🕵️ let’s see!!
Wonderful chapter, Kate. The words flow. Although this is "merely" a conversation, it feels grounded and real and sets a great scene. I enjoyed this interaction a lot.
And throughout, I still feel the mystery bubbling at the edges.
Thanks a lot, Nathan. Christa is my favorite character. :)
There's something particularly scary about an eerie church.
Oh yes, so much history and contrast...stay tuned.
I love the way you have captured the chatty landlady, through dialogue, jumping from one topic to the next. It really brings out her character, and leaves the reader wondering what secrets might emerge from this relationship.
Also the observation that "the loneliness in this city was felt by everyone, that the fear of others was universal" is intriguing, keeping the link with the general atmosphere of the city alive.
Thank you, Veronika! She is admittedly my favorite minor character.
'I realized then that the loneliness in this city was felt by everyone, that the fear of others was universal.' Again, such keen observation of the local culture, this is something that I never realised but there is indeed a fear of others. So strange. I enjoyed this chapter.
Thank you, Nadia! I like your reflection. Vienna is certainly a city of contrasts and paradoxes. Also, it has great kebab shops :)
Oh my! :)