I agree with you but the vibe I'm getting from this story is that it is (yet another story) intended to abuse the MC at each opportunity, for the MC to refuse to do anything to change any outcomes, and to frustrate the reader with the weak-willed MC's inaction. Just my 2 cents.
I read good things about this story and I'm trying to tolerate it long enough to get to the "good part" I keep reading about but, right now all I get from this story is anger outrage, loathing, and disgust. The writing is compelling, don't get me wrong, but the subject matter merely makes me angry.
I suppose it's a compliment to the author that he can evoke such an emotional response from the reader. I have a long, long way to go to reach the point where I'm enjoying this.
I hoped this was not the case, and I still do.
Sure, MC is written like a witless kid with no agency, but the idea was that he could grow into something more, work on his self reliance and understand his worth.
From what I am reading from the post
and this is pure speculation on my part, it seems that his "mental damage" much like Lacey's "brain damage" have become tools for the story more than a character trait that could shape the story.
We will look at how MC damage will influence the people around him...well, I'd have rather MC focus on his damage and his agency, being able to act and separate himself from Lacey when he needs to.
The story has a great premise, but I think it is getting away from it, as we have seen in act 2.
The focus was on two things:
- Lacey's past, her love for MC and how her choices tainted their life together forever
- MC having to deal with the damage caused by Lacey and her betrayal of 13 years of sacrifice.
If you think about it, most of the stuff Lacey does in act 1 are to try and fix the issues she created, she fucks up royally ofc, but why does she go to Jared parties? To give a house to MC and show that she is worth it (there is also some selfishness on her part but this is a tangent I don't want to get into it now).
Why does she go with Damian? To show that no matter how much sex she had or has, her love for MC will never diminish (this was unhinged, I am just reporting Lacey's train of thought).
The fact is, that most of the emotional part is driven by the original betrayal and it is crafted well.
What I think we are missing from the story is the exploration of the past, the coming to terms with that year, what she did and why, MC mental state is probably the least interesting part of the whole story for me and more often than not makes him look pretty bad.
And I am not saying it should not be taken into account, it is good for MC to have a growth arc (no there was no emotional growth at the end of the JD, as we gladly discover in act 2) and have him come to terms with his damage and start making some consequences happen.
I am absolutely fine with him being weak to Lacey or have his PTSD flare up, but explloring this area is definitely less compelling.
I read it as lopsided in favor of MC, in that case it doesn`t make sense for MC to watch only. And sharing being a generous word ? Could be anything, I am not going to psyche myself up ahead of time.
I recomend for people to chill a bit and wait a couple of weeks.
Why do you have to be reasonable? Getting psyched is half the fun!
Jokes aside, you are right, lets catch up in 3 weeks!
