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The Bridge
Remy Pépin’s been dealt too many harsh blows in his young life. Orphaned, miserably poor, and subjected to occasional bullying from his employer, Remy’s only source of joy and hope is in a superstition shared by a dear friend, Mathilde Jolicoeur. It’s a superstition involving a lit candle sitting by a window, which Mathilde claims attracts luck.
Day after day, Remy lights his candle and waits, convincing himself not to hope for good fortune to come his way -- until one snowy evening, when another boy appears at his doorstep, seeking shelter.
Day after day, Remy lights his candle and waits, convincing himself not to hope for good fortune to come his way -- until one snowy evening, when another boy appears at his doorstep, seeking shelter.
- GenresM M RomanceHistorical
17 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 15, 2012
About the author
Hayden Thorne
101 books83 followersI write gothic fiction, fairy tales, and ghost stories with a touch of gay romance. For a complete and updated list of my published books,
please visit my Books2Read store
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
May 30, 2012
A sweet matchmaking romance that ended way to soon.
June 30, 2012
Cute set-up, but it was just way too short to really know or care much about the MC's, but I would love more stories of Mme Jolicoeur matchmaking, and maybe see the MC's she matches together.
July 4, 2012
Relatively good. Felt lacking in character development, but can't really fault that since it was a short story, and I knew that going in. Overall, an enjoyable short read.
November 23, 2012
Such a sweet story. I wish it weren't so short.
June 19, 2017
Really short.
June 13, 2012
Review posted at The Armchair Reader.
Well, this is the story I've been waiting for! Since I've been reading Hayden's series of stories published at JMS/Queerteen, I've found a reason to enjoy them all. They've all had a singular medium to employ the message at it's heart, whether well-known fantasy devices like a haunted forest (The Haunted Glade) or the playful rendering of a Goethe poem (Erl-King). This story is delivered in a familiar vein, but in a way that I was sure to love -- the literary historical. I'm not very well-known with the French Novel, besides studying a big of Proust. I am, however, very familiar with the Russian Novel, which are similar in many ways.
There is something that is almost provincial with this story, in the way that second-hand characters are used as a catalyst for the main characters, thereby becoming the focus of the story themselves. The focus of such a character in this story, yet tempered with the narration of Remy, the object of her meddling, uses this sort of antiquated way of writing to bring what feels like a real setting in past and place to the modern times. Then, adding in the particular bits of stylistic choices (like the abbreviation of a first name), bring the story together, making the attention to the style of writing the most important aspect here, and one that brings a special kind of authenticity to place and time.
For me, who love Russian Literature, this was special even though it is only loosely related in style. But I can see that with this story in particular how much Hayden Thorne cares about what she writes. That is isn't just the message she has to impart, but the vehicle to depart it. Very well done.
Well, this is the story I've been waiting for! Since I've been reading Hayden's series of stories published at JMS/Queerteen, I've found a reason to enjoy them all. They've all had a singular medium to employ the message at it's heart, whether well-known fantasy devices like a haunted forest (The Haunted Glade) or the playful rendering of a Goethe poem (Erl-King). This story is delivered in a familiar vein, but in a way that I was sure to love -- the literary historical. I'm not very well-known with the French Novel, besides studying a big of Proust. I am, however, very familiar with the Russian Novel, which are similar in many ways.
There is something that is almost provincial with this story, in the way that second-hand characters are used as a catalyst for the main characters, thereby becoming the focus of the story themselves. The focus of such a character in this story, yet tempered with the narration of Remy, the object of her meddling, uses this sort of antiquated way of writing to bring what feels like a real setting in past and place to the modern times. Then, adding in the particular bits of stylistic choices (like the abbreviation of a first name), bring the story together, making the attention to the style of writing the most important aspect here, and one that brings a special kind of authenticity to place and time.
For me, who love Russian Literature, this was special even though it is only loosely related in style. But I can see that with this story in particular how much Hayden Thorne cares about what she writes. That is isn't just the message she has to impart, but the vehicle to depart it. Very well done.
May 15, 2013
A candle in the window is a custom practiced by many cultures. It's a sign that where light is, is also warmth, security, and love. In 'The Bridge' by Hayden Thorne, Remy Pépin puts a candle in his window every night, hoping it will light his way to a better future, whatever form that may take. In essence, he's stated his intent. Now the candle will act as a beacon literally and figuratively for happiness.
I liked the contrast between Remy's situation and Alain's. Remy is a boy with absolutely nothing, offering what little he has in way of comfort to another who knows nothing but comfort. Even though desperately poor, Remy appreciates what little he does have and respects people regardless of their station in life. Alain has everything, but appreciates none of it. He wants what Remy has, an honest life, not one of deceit, of being honored not due to what kind of man he is, but because of who his family is.
Underneath, they are of the same heart and are painfully aware of it as the night they share goes on; both are afraid to believe that what they feel is real and that they can be together. What they need now is a bridge between the two of them so their paths are able to continue in the same direction. All it takes is a little magical matchmaking and some deliberate but fortuitous misdirection which Mme. Jolicoeur happily provides.
'The Bridge' is a fantastical story of magic, love, and a happy ending against all odds. I recommend this story to anyone who believes in the magic of love.
NOTE: This book was provided by JMS Books for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
I liked the contrast between Remy's situation and Alain's. Remy is a boy with absolutely nothing, offering what little he has in way of comfort to another who knows nothing but comfort. Even though desperately poor, Remy appreciates what little he does have and respects people regardless of their station in life. Alain has everything, but appreciates none of it. He wants what Remy has, an honest life, not one of deceit, of being honored not due to what kind of man he is, but because of who his family is.
Underneath, they are of the same heart and are painfully aware of it as the night they share goes on; both are afraid to believe that what they feel is real and that they can be together. What they need now is a bridge between the two of them so their paths are able to continue in the same direction. All it takes is a little magical matchmaking and some deliberate but fortuitous misdirection which Mme. Jolicoeur happily provides.
'The Bridge' is a fantastical story of magic, love, and a happy ending against all odds. I recommend this story to anyone who believes in the magic of love.
NOTE: This book was provided by JMS Books for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
May 29, 2012
Reviewed for Hearts On Fire Reviews
Oh, so sweet. Remy Pepin is young, alone and very, very poor. He is so kind and lonely. He tells himself that his friend Mme Jolicoeur’s superstition of leaving a candle in the window for luck is pointless and useless, and only a fool would believe it. The fact that he does this as he very carefully lights the candle and puts it in the window, and watches it as he continues to tell himself how silly it is that she believes this is a little bit heartbreaking. So, when someone actually does come to the door, very cold and lost, he is beside himself. Despite having almost nothing, he offers to share his soup with the visitor, who turns out to be Alain Etoile, a member of a wealthy family in the town.
Both of the men are unhappy and lonely, and they just needed a little bit of “luck”, in the form of Mme Jolicoeur to help take that unhappiness and loneliness away. This story is enchanting.
Oh, so sweet. Remy Pepin is young, alone and very, very poor. He is so kind and lonely. He tells himself that his friend Mme Jolicoeur’s superstition of leaving a candle in the window for luck is pointless and useless, and only a fool would believe it. The fact that he does this as he very carefully lights the candle and puts it in the window, and watches it as he continues to tell himself how silly it is that she believes this is a little bit heartbreaking. So, when someone actually does come to the door, very cold and lost, he is beside himself. Despite having almost nothing, he offers to share his soup with the visitor, who turns out to be Alain Etoile, a member of a wealthy family in the town.
Both of the men are unhappy and lonely, and they just needed a little bit of “luck”, in the form of Mme Jolicoeur to help take that unhappiness and loneliness away. This story is enchanting.
March 7, 2016
What a lovely short story that focuses on two young men - each unhappy for their own reasons - and the "helper" that brings them together. I particularly liked the description of Remy and Alain in their interactions with Mme. Jolicoeur. Sweetly satisfying.
October 6, 2014
I thought is was about ghosts, but it was not ...
It is a short novel but I liked it.
It is a short novel but I liked it.
December 10, 2012
Dammit, why all good stories are so short?! T^T
Usually I don't give a high rating for too-much short stories, but this was so sweet. :3
Usually I don't give a high rating for too-much short stories, but this was so sweet. :3
June 1, 2015
Sweet short story with a charming ending.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews