I’m surprised that there aren’t already multiple comments about the latest chapter in Androboy’s continuing saga. This HAS to be the most popular TV series in an alternative reality. Wonderfully rounded characters in a fully plausible plot. With only a little toning down, it would even be publishable. I’d certainly rush out to by the hardcover version! As it is, I may have to bind my computer print-out.

How long will this show last? I’m hoping that it runs longer than Star Trek.

If you've not read any of THE TRIBES, do so now. As I've said before, it's sort of a cross between LORD OF THE FLIES and THE STAND.

It's an excellent read - dare I say on par with writers like Orson Scott Card and certainly better than Piers Anthony ... although Piers is in sort of a different genre.

It's one of those stories that makes you sit back, sigh, and say "God I wish I had written that."

Jesus rightly criticizes the lack of posts about this episode. One of the problems with a long running saga, such as this, is that I (for one) find it hard to say something new each time an episode is posted.

Perhaps it does not matter too much when several parts are posted in quick succession. But in this instance, Androboy is stealing time from his studies in order to write the story.

This makes it all the more remarkable that he is able to keep the thread going so consistently well. Each episode has something a little different from all that has gone before.

Wonderful!

I have to admit that I am one of the guilty ones on this chapter. I read it, but did not post a comment. After all what can I say that has not already been said? Excellent story, plausible and, as Paolo already said, I wish I had written that.

I too would like the chapters to appear more frequently, but the quality is good enough to make it worth the wait.

Charlieje,

Some of the scenes with the Shiprats could easily be your work,

they have the same sense of love and humanity. But I don't think that you could quite get the sense of evil that Androboy does.

Even in the worst parts of 'American Prince' I got the feeling that you were saying 'people can't really be like that, can they?'

Androboy has posted that he has had to work quite hard to get the right contrast and I can quite believe it.

You both are simply GREAT.

LOL

thank you all for such wonderful comments. i'm sorry i haven't been posting as frequently as i'd like, but there have been a few problems this summer. i have continuing health problems that lay me out for a few days every month or so. but, the biggest two problems have been the phone line in my new apartment just doesn't seem to like dealing with a modem and my great uncle.

my great uncle -- and he really is great in just about every way possible -- decided that i should take time off to join him in the keys to "contemplate the wonders of nature." that means drink lots and lots of rum-based drinks while staring happily at the scenery (the waitresses). we had a great time and my batteries are mostly recharged.

with any luck at all the next part of "the tribes" will be posted no later than the middle of next week.

i feel kind of like dorothy from the wizard of oz -- had a great adventure, but it's great to be home among friends again, too.

hope everyone else has had a wonderful summer.

david

Charlieje (imported) wrote: Tue Jul 23, 2002 12:03 pm I too would like the chapters to appear more frequently, but the quality is good enough to make it worth the wait.

Charlieje, i your wish is my command -- i just submitted the next chapter and it should be posted as soon as Paolo gets over his shock at seeing another chapter posted so soon

and, believe it or not, i am already several pages into the next submission.

hope all of you like this submission as much as you've liked the last ones.

thanks for all the support and praise.

david

Bravo!

I don't always post my appreciation, because it seems like saying me-too, but I just want to say that The Tribes is probably my favorite of all the stories on this archive, and Chapter 22 is one of the best.

The Tribes has the elements I most enjoy in a novel: communities of caring and kindness in the midst of a holocaust, and human redemption. Eric Pangborn (spelling?) has done this in several of his stories, and Stephen King certainly did it in The Stand, but I think Androboy has done at least as good a job here.

David, have you thought about publishing this commercially?

Peter