ALEXANDER THE GREAT STORY: LOVE LETTERS

[moon71]

Comments

[riaki]

So happy you are back with more Alexander stories! I can't get enough of your them, seriously!Your characters are always so pleasurable to read about and there is always a depth to them which comes across so beautifully because you are such a good writer. Your vision of them- for example angsty teenage Alexander and Hephaistion on the verge of manhood- is a real treat for me coz it's very human.I like Renault's novels, but her version of the two-while made with great love and care, I must admit that- I personally feel was always a bit distant or restrained(in FFH when they are young boys for example). But you seem to feel them in your heart, to breathe with them, and I adore you for this. Btw. Philip was such a delightful presence here, and the ending scene was so utterly sweet. You made me ridiculously happy with your story today. And I can't really wait to find out what happens next :)

P.S. Is there any way I can get my hands on this Alexander fanzine you mentioned in your post?

~Ria~

[moon71]

Wow! That was fast! Thank you for such nice words - I do try hard to give all the characters part of my own feelings, even if I don't agree with them or even like them! I tend to feel if you don't do that, you're creating parodies, not real characters.

I have to say I have read Renault's Theseus novels and can't fault them. I just think (like a lot of authors on Alexander) she let her own feelings cloud her judgement. And Alexander and Hephaestion come across to me more like adolescent GIRLS than boys. I know Alexander was supposed to have been modest in his apetites, and his parents worried he wasn't interested in sex, but from what I understand they were more worried he was taking the passive role with another boy rather than just not doing it at all.

Anyway, what the heck. I'm glad you like this one and my portrayal of Philip in particular (I was rather pleased with that scene!) And if you don't mind angst, I hope you'll enjoy the rest!

[jun_yumemakura]

Ria guided me to this wonderful story of yours, and it made me so happy as well. I totally agree with her about your characterizations of Alexander and Hephaistion. They feel so real and believable.

I am very much looking forward to read more to find where this story takes us. Thank you for the excitement!

[moon71]

I'm so glad you've enjoyed this so far - I try to get my characterisation as believable as possible and I always appreciate it when people think it hits the spot! I'm really pleased with the response I've got after so long and I'll try to post the next part very soon!

Happy Christmas!

[missteacakes]

There's something vaguely ridiculous about trying to think how to be delicate on something you already acknowledged. So I won't. And isn't "drudging" a great word?

I'm just gonna say, though, that I've always appreciated how sympathetic you are to Philip. I've seen far too many stories in which he's all gross and barbaric stuff. (And usually hits of Hephaestion in varying degrees despite the knowledge of his and Alexander's love affair)

[moon71]

Hurray! Another vote for Philip! I totally agree about what you say - I hate it when he's potrayed like that, especially in stories where he sexually harrasses Hephaestion! I don't think a man who could successfully make himself virtual master of Greece and marry five or so times would be so stupid as to start a feud with his only viable son by trying to steal his lover.

I was discussing this with another reader on FFnet and said I thought Philip would encourage Alexander's friendship / relationship with Hephaestion so long as Hephaestion remembered his place (which, if you'll excuse the rather explicit reference and ignoring fanfics like mine, would be beneath Alexander!)

Anyway, I'm rambling on as usual, but I'm glad you're enjoying this - while it's not BASED on Renault, I did want to teach her Alexander a thing or two... Happy Christmas!

[susa_938]

It's lovely to see another Alexander story from you - even though I've already had the pleasure of reading this one, owning the fanzine you mentioned.
I've read an awful lot of Alexander fiction over the years (published novels and so-called fan fiction, which has often been far superior to the professional stuff!) and your stories are among the best, some favourites have stayed with me for a long time. The 'latest Moon 71' has always been something to look forward to, so it is great to see you posting again. Hopefully there will be more new Alexander fiction from you, but very belated thanks from me for all you've written so far.

[moon71]

Thanks for your nice words - and I'm glad to hear you know the fanzine, I haven't heard much about it after I got my copy. Were you a contributer or did you find it when it was published? I'm just curious!

I agree about the fanfics versus published works - there have been a fair wad of Alexander novels in the last few years but with the exception of "Lord of the Two Lands", "A choice of Destinies" and "The virtues of war" (well... I liked it...) all the others haven't even been worth buying second hand from amazon!

There will be more Alexander fics - honestly! I actually have wondered if Olympias put a curse on me for making fun of her, because I got stuck on one story I still haven't finished! But I'm catching up! Happy Christmas!

[lawless523]

I hadn't read any of your other Alexander the Great stories, but I enjoyed this chapter from this one quite a bit. I'll be looking forward to more!

[moon71]

Hi! Lovely to find you here too! I brought some Alexander fans to Gravitation and I am happy to see the reverse too! This story is unusually angsty for me but if you don't mind that I hope you'll carry on enjoying it! Will reply to your other comments tonight too, but let me wish you Happy Christmas here just in case!

[lawless523]

Merry Christmas to you too! I just responded to you other comments with what I hope is a clear explanation of links, but if it's not, just let me know.