Reviews of Happy Mudder's Day 34

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  Review of Happy Mudder's Day
  A review of Happy Mudder's Day
  by Hoggy on 08/09/2012
  I always enjoy reading stories that deal with something unfamiliar. I'm from the North of England and so this tale of a bored American housewife with a family from hell is pretty much as far removed from my experience as you can get. You have done well to create a certain amount of sympathy for Kate. She isn't openly unhappy but it's certainly there, bubbling under the surface... I always enjoy reading stories that deal with something unfamiliar. I'm from the North of England and so this tale of a bored American housewife with a family from hell is pretty much as far removed from my experience as you can get.
  
  You have done well to create a certain amount of sympathy for Kate. She isn't openly unhappy but it's certainly there, bubbling under the surface. It reminded me a little of Thelma and Louise. You create a clear picture of her horrible family and it made me sad to think that this was all she had and would probably ever have.
  
  You have several clever little details such as her drinking quicker than she realises to block out her surroundings and the moment she sees her reflection.
  
  The end is a little weak as I didn't know whether she had fled to lead a new life or whether she would be heading back. If it is the former I don't think the narrative is developed enough yet for me to believe that today is the day she makes a bid for freedom. Then again I may have completely misread it and in fact she is just a crap driver.
  
  Good luck with any re writes read
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  Cute catchy tittle
  A review of Happy Mudder's Day
  by tishanddavid on 07/24/2012
  Funny story made me smile every time you did the vernacular correctly. I think people have this misguided belief that they need to really play up the long vowels and the bad grammar every time. So cute title, very catchy. I liked all the little nods to the things that make moms day hell. I liked that she takes it so well until she simply snaps, I even was mad that she has to... Funny story made me smile every time you did the vernacular correctly. I think people have this misguided belief that they need to really play up the long vowels and the bad grammar every time. So cute title, very catchy. I liked all the little nods to the things that make moms day hell. I liked that she takes it so well until she simply snaps, I even was mad that she has to tie her damn stove shut with a bungee cord.
  
  Some minor things to think about: Less exclamations,give Bob Sr more things to say then simply "Jesus Christ" too everything. Maybe focus a tad bit more on her regrets, did she ever want a girl child? Does she even have any other female friends?
  
  Im going to score you with "good story" straight across the board 9except structure, hand full of errors, and wrong font and missing cover page). While I wasn't blown away it was good enough to make me chuckle and look forward to more of your projects.
  
  Thanks for the smile and the wince, Tisha read
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  A Happy piece.
  A review of Happy Mudder's Day
  by Ng Hoi Yee on 05/30/2012
  I liked the title, made me curious to find out more about what was 'Mudder's Day.' The writing was a light-hearted one with some exclamation marks every few sentences. The author sounded like a happy and positive woman who took things at her strides even when her husband was in a bad mood. The story could be developed better if more things happened. Feel the events that happened... I liked the title, made me curious to find out more about what was 'Mudder's Day.' The writing was a light-hearted one with some exclamation marks every few sentences. The author sounded like a happy and positive woman who took things at her strides even when her husband was in a bad mood. The story could be developed better if more things happened. Feel the events that happened a bit stale and not interesting enough for me. But it was a good piece to read after reading other mostly serious stories. read
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  Disarming subtletly. Hilarious growth. Depressing truth.
  A review of Happy Mudder's Day
  by TOFMatt on 08/19/2011
  Wow, where do I even begin. I am so impressed with this work on every level. Everything about it is so well thought-through and instantly relatable, even if "mudding" is a past time that few engage in or even know about. The theme is subtle, brought about effectively with a character who is so wholesome and giving that she herself doesn't even realize it. The text expertly... Wow, where do I even begin. I am so impressed with this work on every level. Everything about it is so well thought-through and instantly relatable, even if "mudding" is a past time that few engage in or even know about. The theme is subtle, brought about effectively with a character who is so wholesome and giving that she herself doesn't even realize it. The text expertly mimics her mind set, instantly conjuring images of Marge Simpson. The under-appreciation works itself up slowly with great satisfaction. With every beer she realizes more and more how trampled she is until the final moment she "snaps." No detail is included just to "fill space" - the prose is lean and efficient. And the ending - it's amazing how a story that seemingly starts so small can become so grand. It's silly, and fun, and effective in portraying her moment of "enough is enough."
  
  In terms of critique, there's really nothing major I can suggest to improve this. The opening paragraph is in present tense (I have to think about that now that we're mudding), while the rest of the story is in past tense, so you will probably want to clean that up (I had to think about that now that we were mudding). I also thought you could push the hillbilly accent a little more - sometimes she sort of slides in and out of it. Really though, these are such small nitpicky things.
  
  Bravo, the best thing I've read in weeks. read
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  A unique story
  A review of Happy Mudder's Day
  by JadeBrooks on 03/11/2011
  Regarding Mudder’s day. I think you may want to look up the guidelines. The font type should be courier type. Pg 1. Can you imagine the crowds at Olive Garden? On Mother’s Day? (This should be one sentence.) Pg 3. Bob Sr.’s been in a terrible mood all morning. Always is on race days. He’s so competitive. I just love that about him. (The sentences can make two complete... Regarding Mudder’s day. I think you may want to look up the guidelines. The font type should be courier type.
  
  Pg 1. Can you imagine the crowds at Olive Garden? On Mother’s Day? (This should be one sentence.)
  
  Pg 3. Bob Sr.’s been in a terrible mood all morning. Always is on race days. He’s so competitive. I just love that about him.
  (The sentences can make two complete sentences, just put a comma to complete the thought.)
  
  Pg. 6 Oh, but that’s mean. I shouldn’t think such things. Oh, but that’s
  mean. I shouldn’t think such things. (maybe italics for the main characters thoughts.)
  
  Pg. 7 He’d go purple, the vein on his forehead would throb and his lips would disappear. Alot of this story was a narrative. Although there was some dialogue most were thoughts and a lot was predicted what everyone was going to do. The author has some creative writing, I think some of the predicted thoughts should just happen and be the story.
  
  Pg. 9 I fired Gerty up and she came to life with a RAWR. (This line cracked me up ! )
  
  Pg. 6 Maybe someone stole it. This was just the kind of crowd that
  would steal your beer, too. Surely I hadn’t drunk them all. I didn’t even like beer!
  
  The broken mirrors bobbed and mud slut. I feel this was good description and gave a feel for the place.
  
  I liked the story, it was a unique piece. read
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  mud sluts unite!
  A review of Happy Mudder's Day
  by cc chayce on 02/22/2011
  I never gave it much thought before, but I guess when Thoreau said most "men" lead lives of quiet desperation and go to the grave with the song still in then, he could very well mean "people" rather than the male of the species alone. I enjoy a story where someone breaks free and sings that damn song rather than acquiesce to the quiet desperation. Like the old Mud Slut did... I never gave it much thought before, but I guess when Thoreau said most "men" lead lives of quiet desperation and go to the grave with the song still in then, he could very well mean "people" rather than the male of the species alone.
  
  I enjoy a story where someone breaks free and sings that damn song rather than acquiesce to the quiet desperation. Like the old Mud Slut did. Good for her.
  
  The reader can relieve his/her own frustrations by living, however, through a character like this and when the story's well told, as Happy Mudder's Day is, all the better.
  
  I have no criticisms at all. The biting humour and sharp jabs are funny, poignant, and nicely timed.
  
  Pacing, structure, character development, everything about it made the story a joy to read. Very well done!
  
  ~ Cal read
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  Anudder Mudder Shudders
  A review of Happy Mudder's Day
  by johnturnbull on 02/21/2011
  "Happy Mudder's Day" is a hilarious look at the somewhat obscure sport of Mud bogging, told from a woman's point of view. The pacing of the story is pleasantly rapid and the main character is believable, raucous, ridiculous and loveable. This is a well-written piece with very little typos (in fact the only one I flagged was "axel" – I'm pretty sure this car part didn't sing... "Happy Mudder's Day" is a hilarious look at the somewhat obscure sport of Mud bogging, told from a woman's point of view. The pacing of the story is pleasantly rapid and the main character is believable, raucous, ridiculous and loveable. This is a well-written piece with very little typos (in fact the only one I flagged was "axel" – I'm pretty sure this car part didn't sing for Guns n' Roses) and generally good editing. In fact the only problems I had with the story was the location of their trailer (it's a bit unclear where it's situated exactly), and some time frame stuff – like the ribs et al. seemed to cook awful fast, and then subsequently burn really fast. Other than that, this is a pice of writing that made me laugh out loud – at and with Kate. read
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  If you ever needed a DD or a better family...
  A review of Happy Mudder's Day
  by Adriano Ariganello on 02/14/2011
  Are you trying to encourage drunk driving here? I kid. I really enjoyed the story. I think you handle the way she lets her family abuse her pretty well. She just sees the positive in everything, even when her family treats her like trash. The family is mostly concerned about themselves and make Mother's Day about them. Most telling was when she burnt the ribs and mentioned... Are you trying to encourage drunk driving here?
  
  I kid. I really enjoyed the story. I think you handle the way she lets her family abuse her pretty well. She just sees the positive in everything, even when her family treats her like trash.
  
  The family is mostly concerned about themselves and make Mother's Day about them. Most telling was when she burnt the ribs and mentioned that it would ruin Bob Jr's Mother's Day.
  
  I like the way she slowly degraded into her drunken stupor. I was worried, with the page count nearing the end, that she'd suddenly fly off the handle, but I feel like she came there organically.
  
  Only thing I'd suggest is to be a little more descriptive in your climax. There's really no problem with it, but it feels like you're missing out on the fun part. It flies by really quickly.
  
  Also, I would hope those propane tanks were empty or they might take out her family for good.
  
  Really enjoyed it though. Good work. read
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  Perfection
  A review of Happy Mudder's Day
  by LBarbarell on 01/31/2011
  This is far and away the best short story I've read on TS and there have been some pretty good ones. I'm very hesitant to make any comments at all because I wouldn't change a word of this. But let me just venture this: I couldn't tell if the inner dialogue of the mom, which was resigned and submissive in tone, was self deceptive or just sarcastic. For that reason, I couldn't... This is far and away the best short story I've read on TS and there have been some pretty good ones. I'm very hesitant to make any comments at all because I wouldn't change a word of this. But let me just venture this: I couldn't tell if the inner dialogue of the mom, which was resigned and submissive in tone, was self deceptive or just sarcastic. For that reason, I couldn't tell if the bumper sticker was an epiphany or just the last straw. Either way, the story was fantastic.
  read
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  Mudder's Day Surprise
  A review of Happy Mudder's Day
  by nick74 on 01/30/2011
  Sup Shauna. So It's 2:20 in the big fat AM and I'm glancing over my assignments realizing I could either review Mudder's Day (finally) or one of Mr. Senydd Ross'seses epics. Hmm. As I'm happily toasted on some fairly ratty domestic libation, I'll do the epic tomorrow. Mudder's Day, well, by title alone, I figure it just seems appropriate at this wee hour. But first, I shall... Sup Shauna. So It's 2:20 in the big fat AM and I'm glancing over my assignments realizing I could either review Mudder's Day (finally) or one of Mr. Senydd Ross'seses epics. Hmm. As I'm happily toasted on some fairly ratty domestic libation, I'll do the epic tomorrow. Mudder's Day, well, by title alone, I figure it just seems appropriate at this wee hour. But first, I shall uncross the eyes and begin reading.
  
  yup, just as I figured, I's right.
  
  Nick read