This is quite a brave piece. It does show how easily the masses are herded left and right with simple associations and charismatic voices. Germany did make a remarkable transformation between the wars and it seems clear that the nazis would have been successful-probably much more successful - without the horrors perpetrated on Jews and other minorities and even more so had they not started WW2. If they did start it at all.
I think there are some fairly glib statements in this work but then it is fiction, albeit with an obvious depth of political and economic historical research behind the central themes. By glib, i mean the ease with which the Liberal Socialst party emerges seems far too effortless when there is, in your other dimension, just the same sinister establishment that we obviously have in our reality.
I won't say "enjoyable" but absolutely readable, with my correct head on, and very thought provoking! Like, hugely so. Good stuff. Not sure there's anything quite like it/you anywhere else on the stack so much admiration for it/ you from me! 🫡👏👏👏
Thank you for saying it's brave. I did feel that when I bit the bullet and posted it. I am also glad that you know it's 'fiction' - I mean in the sense that this is written by someone from a parallel world. By definition, a parallel world is different, and part of the point of the whole story is to explore what happens when two worlds collide, as it were. So, certain things that are 'taboo' in this world are not in her world. So what happens when they meet? Etc.
Likewise, one thing I've always hated (beyond censorship itself) is 'self-censorship'. In this sense, we should be free to write characters who are 'controversial' - if we can't, then where are all the cool bad guys going to come from?! Plus certain types of writing should be challenging, and make the reader think. Unfortunately today I think there has been a lower standard of reader, in the sense that some readers cannot distinguish between the writer, and the character, and may think the character's views are the writer's. Katrina's story is going to get dark, and for me, this where the real bravery comes in, because I want to be able to tackle some of these dark subjects (like in that horror vignette I wrote).
I chuckled with your use of the word 'glib'. I do know what you mean about how the Lizzies getting into government might seem effortless, but this is probably either my or Katrina's fault for not having provided all the historical detail yet about how it happened. It was a lot more complex that she is perhaps presenting it as at the moment. Ironically, it sort of involved exposure of the rottenness of the Establishment into full public view. Plus a fair amount of espionage on her part, I should add. But obviously she can't possibly reveal that sort of stuff on her Substack, or she'd be in real trouble.
This is quite a brave piece. It does show how easily the masses are herded left and right with simple associations and charismatic voices. Germany did make a remarkable transformation between the wars and it seems clear that the nazis would have been successful-probably much more successful - without the horrors perpetrated on Jews and other minorities and even more so had they not started WW2. If they did start it at all.
I think there are some fairly glib statements in this work but then it is fiction, albeit with an obvious depth of political and economic historical research behind the central themes. By glib, i mean the ease with which the Liberal Socialst party emerges seems far too effortless when there is, in your other dimension, just the same sinister establishment that we obviously have in our reality.
I won't say "enjoyable" but absolutely readable, with my correct head on, and very thought provoking! Like, hugely so. Good stuff. Not sure there's anything quite like it/you anywhere else on the stack so much admiration for it/ you from me! 🫡👏👏👏
Thank you for saying it's brave. I did feel that when I bit the bullet and posted it. I am also glad that you know it's 'fiction' - I mean in the sense that this is written by someone from a parallel world. By definition, a parallel world is different, and part of the point of the whole story is to explore what happens when two worlds collide, as it were. So, certain things that are 'taboo' in this world are not in her world. So what happens when they meet? Etc.
Likewise, one thing I've always hated (beyond censorship itself) is 'self-censorship'. In this sense, we should be free to write characters who are 'controversial' - if we can't, then where are all the cool bad guys going to come from?! Plus certain types of writing should be challenging, and make the reader think. Unfortunately today I think there has been a lower standard of reader, in the sense that some readers cannot distinguish between the writer, and the character, and may think the character's views are the writer's. Katrina's story is going to get dark, and for me, this where the real bravery comes in, because I want to be able to tackle some of these dark subjects (like in that horror vignette I wrote).
I chuckled with your use of the word 'glib'. I do know what you mean about how the Lizzies getting into government might seem effortless, but this is probably either my or Katrina's fault for not having provided all the historical detail yet about how it happened. It was a lot more complex that she is perhaps presenting it as at the moment. Ironically, it sort of involved exposure of the rottenness of the Establishment into full public view. Plus a fair amount of espionage on her part, I should add. But obviously she can't possibly reveal that sort of stuff on her Substack, or she'd be in real trouble.