Cecily’s review of The Birthmark > Likes and Comments

I like how much you were able to pull out of this brief story, Cecily!

Kathleen wrote: "I like how much you were able to pull out of this brief story, Cecily!"

Sometimes, I find it's easier with a short story.

Wonderful review Cecily! Thanks for bringing my attention to the short story club, which I joined, starting with this story.

Stunning review Cecily 💖

Stellar review, Cecily!

I doubt I could be persuaded to marry a guy with a name like “Aylmer” to be frank!

George wrote: "Wonderful review Cecily! Thanks for bringing my attention to the short story club, which I joined, starting with this story."

Thanks, George. Glad you enjoyed this story and I hope you do the others, too. Those I know something of, plus the few I've read before, have plenty of scope for discussion.

Margaret M wrote: "Stunning review Cecily 💖"

Thanks, Margaret. It's short and atmospheric. And relevant.

Laura Tenfingers wrote: "Stellar review, Cecily!"

Thanks, Laura. I see you've added the story, and I hope you enjoy it.

le chat gris wrote: "I doubt I could be persuaded to marry a guy with a name like “Aylmer” to be frank!"

What about Frank? 😂
Mind you, as someone with a very uncommon name, I'm not sure I approve of name prejudice! 😉

I enjoyed reading your review, Cecily and was inspired to join the short story group. This is a very apt story - I so wish people would/could embrace their and others' imperfections. We all have them.

Excellent review, Cecily!
Both thoughtful and insightful.

Lori wrote: "I enjoyed reading your review, Cecily and was inspired to join the short story group. This is a very apt story - I so wish people would/could embrace their and others' imperfections. We all have them."

Yes, we all have imperfections, but acceptance can be hard. The language of this meme is a little coarse, but I like the sentiment about how to dress for your shape (view spoiler)[wear whatever you like (hide spoiler)]:


Thanks, Lori, and see you in the short story club.

Laura wrote: "Excellent review, Cecily!
Both thoughtful and insightful."

Thanks, Laura. It packs a lot in a few pages.

Great insights Cecily! I will join the discussion later but I'm glad to see that I'm not the only one that enjoys Hawthrone, I would also rate both stories 4 stars.

Lea wrote: "Great insights Cecily! I will join the discussion later but I'm glad to see that I'm not the only one that enjoys Hawthrone, I would also rate both stories 4 stars."

Thanks, Lea. This is only the second story the group has read, and the discussions have been really enriching.

Great review, Cecily. The story is indeed eerily pertinent nowadays, sometimes it seems that striving for a 'perfect' countenance has almost become a moral duty instead of self-acceptance (thinking of the increase in teeth braces with teenagers). I was particularly struck by Aylmer's attempt to deny/overcome mortality, of which the birthmark was a constant reminder

(besides, I liked the bikini advice :)).

Ilse wrote: "Great review, Cecily. The story is indeed eerily pertinent nowadays, sometimes it seems that striving for a 'perfect' countenance has almost become a moral duty..."

I understand peer pressure or just comparing oneself unfavourably to photos one sees, but I feel terribly sorry for anyone who feels a moral duty to improve their appearance.

A brilliant approach to this Hawthorne book, Cecily. Thanks!

Yes, still markedly* pertinent in our modern era, Cecily.
A wonderfully perceptive review.

*Pun honestly not intended.

Excellent review Cecily 👏

HBalikov wrote: "A brilliant approach to this Hawthorne book, Cecily. Thanks!"

Thanks, H. It's an extra delight when something so old turns out to be so unexpectedly modern in some ways.

Kevin wrote: "Yes, still markedly* pertinent in our modern era, Cecily.
A wonderfully perceptive review.

*Pun honestly not intended."

"Not intended."! If you think I believe that, I've some NFTs to sell you! 😁
But thanks, Kevin.

Maureen ( NOT RECEIVING NOTIFICATIONS) wrote: "Excellent review Cecily 👏"

Thanks, Maureen.

Oh, I loved this story.

What a pertinent story, Cecily. The same issues have been pestering people of all ages for centuries. To accept one's imperfections is an act of self-awareness, that's easier said than done, even more today with the pressure of the digital era with people broadcasting perfected versions of themselves, living a fake show of a life. Wise reflections and brilliant review as usual.

Bloodorange wrote: "Oh, I loved this story."

It's aged incredibly well. Far more so than his Young Goodman Brown, which we read the previous week.

Dolors wrote: "What a pertinent story, Cecily. The same issues have been pestering people of all ages for centuries... Wise reflections and brilliant review as usual."

Plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose. Thanks, Dolors.

An exceptional review, as always, Cecily!

Paula wrote: "An exceptional review, as always, Cecily!"

Thank you, Paula. We read it differently, but both enjoyed it.

❤️

Have always loved this story because I think it is a topic we should all examine and think carefully about. Brilliant review, of course.

Sara wrote: "Have always loved this story because I think it is a topic we should all examine and think carefully about. Brilliant review, of course."

If anything, it's becoming more important to think about such things, especially in relation to teen girls on social media. Thanks, Sara.

I agree, Cecily, that this story is even more pertinent today. Excellent commentary.

Laysee wrote: "I agree, Cecily, that this story is even more pertinent today. Excellent commentary."

Thank you, Laysee. Have I tempted you to compare and contrast with Ted Chiang's Liking What You See?