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Monday, November 4, 2019 |
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Dear Andrej,
I Do enjoy your stories.
Therefore, some feedback on the "Nunc Dimittis" tale.
If a man is the son of a baronet - as is your Richard - he himself is not addressed as "sir"; only if he is the eldest son, and, after his father's death, inherits the title, he is. And a real peer of the realm, like Benjamin, would never sign himself Benjamin, Lord C - but only: Benjamin C... And I do not know what you mean by 'fourth cousin' to the king.
But otherwise....
Regards,
Nicholas
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Friday, March 6, 2015 |
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Andrej
There is a lot for me to savour in your writing, to be amused and to gain concentration. To play with words and phrases that transcend lexicon but to also keep identity and invite deeper penetration till the climax arrives. Could write to you for hours in detail but daft as it might seem, your story inspired me to write
"Nunc dimittis"
Great Prayers of the faithful often aspire to leaving life in a serene manner. An earnest wish. Not necessarily selfish or vain glorious but an acceptance that life on Earth has accorded with a Godly plan and that the providence supplied had been knowingly accepted and used sufficiently to have a quiet confidence in the Heavenly Banquet of Resurrection.
Trouble is less and less in this world, though materially richer than many antecedents, people fail to glimpse this at all and many come to end of life with angst and frustration, with loss and fear. Others for reasons beyond human comprehension have life cut short. Has religion helped in this or frustrated after all. Many are lost souls. And what of those whose life experience means they could not begin to understand these first thoughts, of religion, life and death being intertwined or tangled.
Where is a guide to inspire hope? To surmount any oppression. To create a legacy that has resonance and meaning for generations to follow. Cue Andrea Nike but first whilst immersed in historical and theological significance, let us go back, way back into a Jewish Temple and encounter the Song of Simeon, known through Latin translation as Nunc Dimittis. Of for those more used to English - Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace...
Death is only a new beginning but this account once penned by Andrea Nike resolves many a life conflict with gritty reality, a soul shines through that cannot be trampled by circumstance even though sadness is inescapable.
Andrea was born into a complicated century in an ever changing world that was not ready for him but from his cultural background which was forced to frequently be adjusted forged a path that challenged boundary without knowingly hurting others. Of finding true wisdom in others and ultimately endowing a new generation with a legacy that illustrates how to cope in life but never decrees that choices made were proscriptive for others. An embellishment such as found on a manuscript that adds beauty and colour to function.
And so through a stained glass window, we see the man capable of loving men and gracious enough to recognise when he too was loved, guided, helped and sustained.
There could be a reader so young that all the cultural reference and historical reference now seems as immaterial as a notion that expression of love could once be hidden, but they too can be drawn into Andrea's world and find a revelation inside. Old ways can be edgy, chancy, dangerous, exhilarating, repulsive but without any history there is no forward reference to celebrate freedom and justice.
For those older who knew of persecution and even were visited with it, alongside baggage of the expectations of others, there is a wonderful release in the fact that Andrea lives and loves in reality as it was and adapted how it became. In finding the many characters within there is identification and aspiration but never crushing the once suppressed right to live and love.
To understand the prologue, whether versed in religion or not, you have to read in entirety, not in occasional nibbles but a deep wallowing until sated. If you are not prepared yet for the wafer, your time will come as does it always without exception.
So settle down and imagine life in Italy in 1915 and enjoy the travel through land and time that followed.
Regards
Colin |
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Wednesday, 13 April 2011 |
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I enjoyed the story "Nunc dimittis"
This part of moving to France and meeting Michel; the beauty of the 18 year old and the young 15 year old that meeting up and the 18 year old helping he know the area and becoming closer and closer friends. The reviewing the book and how their sexual desires come alive. To the different ways of meeting and loving each other.
That wonderful scene too of telling to the previous, "this is my lover" and the lad, ok, and leaving. To the move and Michel at college and their hooks up till the move. Then ending with sadness the separation and Michel died while serving his country at 30. This portion was Awesome!
Can it get better free love and then with the move to England to see with changed name to Andrew and all to meeting Ben and... Oh my gosh!!
Oh yes, not leaving out the visit from Michael (Michel and Alain), to hear about his new lover and how the new lover informed at the time of Michaels' death. I am surely loving your writing!!
The history of battles and they both Andrew and Ben fighting in the war. To the tragic ending. Had me in tears reading. To the end of Ben's family regaining Andrew and Sir knight!
Oh my Lady Martha with the right words to get Andrew started in the right direction of healing!! Love that lady!! Here and there and Nick and his special qualities and then James the life-guard!!
Oh my gosh the love he learned along the way with Michael, Nick, James, Benjamin Bruno and the other ones here and there but those guys always younger but responsive to each other in that Kindred spirit and love! Freaking Awesome.
The connection with Father Stefano and oh my gosh how the unit joining again with Bruno and tragic of and yet Bruno at 49 jumping to save a lad to take his life. That Andrew with cancer. That was absolutely a wonderful story!
Loving friendship, hugs,
Geno
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Saturday, 17 May 2008 |
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Mr. Andre Koymasky,
I wish to express my sincere thanks for your generosity in sharing your stories with us, your readers. I have enjoyed several of your fine stories, but "Nunc Dimitis" is extraordinary. The struggles the youth goes though, especially with his faith are so realistic and believable as to be autobiographical. Your word pictures are superb. In this story I did not notice any grammatical errors.
I come from a deeply Christian family, with unusually good parents. I majored in Biblical Studies both in college and grad school. I wrote many term papers for those classes. I appreciate good writing. I was strong in research, but never approached your writing skills. Since I am reading your stories you can deduce that I have struggled with some of the same issues as Andre in this story. I am very thankful that our Lord is loving and full of grace, and not salvation by my own works. I understand the Bible to be God's Word, and He does NOT make mistakes. The same cannot be said of humans. The leaders of the Roman Catholic and other Churches have made obvious blunders over the centuries, hardly infallible, but often arrogant. Some are truly loving and sincere.
Again I want to convey my thanks to you for your sharing of your time and talents as a bard.
Randall N.
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Monday, 13 March 2006 |
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Dear Andrej,
Your brilliant erotic stories on the website have held my interest for weeks now.
I first read "Nunc Dimittis", a wonderful novel with well-drawn characters and some of the best male erotic writing I've read anywhere. The naturalness with which you approach the protagonist's, Andrea's, homosexual nature is truly inspiring, like nothing I've ever read before.
I am amazed at the English translation because it's fully correct yet retains some of the beautiful cadence of the Italian language.
Andrej, it seems to me that you have much in common with George Quaintance. He expressed his sexuality by visual means in his appealing paintings. You have done the same thing in writing - treating the homosexual experience as natural and beautiful with little regard for society's condemnations.
The ultimate test of male erotic writing is does it give you a hardon. Your stories most certainly do! But beyond that you have instilled the sexual with a spiritual and romantic beauty that I've read nowhere else. Your style is unique - clear, straightforward and honest, but rich in heart-felt humanity. It is far above the pornographic. It's true erotica.
I'm recommending your website and your stories to all my gay and bisexual male friends.
Sincerely,
John
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Monday, 01 May 2000 |
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I have just finished reading Nunc Dimittis. I found it refreshing and simplistic in style. That does not imply criticism, the simplicity of telling makes it more powerful.
It does not glorify the seemy side of homosexuality, but rather, in my opinion, shows our lifestyle as it is.
Thank you for allowing me to read this story.
John
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Wednesday, 5 April 2000 |
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I have just completed reading, "The Corporal", having finished "Nunc Dimittis" a few days ago. I read both your stories with tears in my eyes, enraptured by your depiction of the characters battle to love and be loved.
I would like to thank you for the pleasure you have giving me while reading these beautiful stories.
I am 53 years old and alone. I have been unfortunate in love as I have never been able to find somebody that I can love who also loves me. Partly, because in my younger days it was impossible to be open about my true inclination and later in life, though most of my friends now know I am gay, I still live an almost completly straight life style.
Your stories have awakened my desire for true love and though it is probally too late for me, I intend to try harder to find someone with whom I can share at least my later years. How, I don't know but I must try before it really is too late.
I hope your younger readers think hard about what true love really is, as depicted by your stories, and the pleasure to be gained from it. Perhaps then they won't end up old and lonely with many sexual conquests behind them but never having really experienced love.
Yours
David
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Monday, 24 January 2000 |
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Hey andrej,
Funny how small this world is, hm? (And don't say you don't remember me!) I read the first chapter of Nunc Dimittis. You know, I really liked it. Poor little boy, fighting nature... I thought I'd write you about it, since you so specifically asked everyone to do so...
The only problem with your stories is, they're all so darn long! I really wish I had more time to read them, but I rarely get any further than the first chapter.
:)
(I must say, you're output is amazing. How long have you been writing all these stories? Because there's a whole lot of them too. And how long (for instance) did you take to write Nunc Dimittis, without the translation? I can take a whole week for only 1000 words. shakes head. You must tell me how you do it.
:)
me.
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Sunday, 19 September 1999 |
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My dear Andrej,
His Foot in too many Shoes is a quite fascinating story, I cannot wait to read the later parts to find out the true love of "Dad." I must say that the story intrigues me more and more. "Dad" fell in love with Orlando, how beautiful, but what will happen then? No, don't tell me, I want to read it. I felt strongly for Dad, and a lot things that he said and felt really touched me. Maybe it is because I am married and trying to live the "straight" life now as "Dad" did. And since you have been married before, I have a feeling that you had very similar experiences as "Dad" did as well.
I finished reading Epistolary as well, and it just took my breath away. It moved me to tears and then it also awakened me and liberated me. You are such a masterful writer, your characters are so vivid and so real, and yet their backgrounds are so diverse. I also liked your writing style, so good and beautiful. Yet each one of your stories is told in a unique way, none of them is quite the same. How did you do it, dear Andrej? I have downloaded all your stories and plan to read them all. Your work is a real treasure, no doubt about it.
I can tell without a doubt that you are man of humanity. Your life experiences and your wisdom enlightened me and I admire you more as I read more of your stories.
Yours,
Matt
P.S. Could you tell me what does "Nunc dimittis" mean in English? As you can tell, I was reading it (until now), and I am mesmerized.
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Thurday, 15 July 1999 |
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Dear Andrej,
I very much like your plots and storytelling, and generally find you paint the characters quite well; I certainly end up caring about what happens to them, and that degree of involvement is rare for me, especially in Web fiction!
Yours are the only stories that have ever moved me to tears! Generally, your pacing is good, I have only found a very few places where I sensed perhaps a slight unevenness.
I have to say that I found the erotic parts in "Nunc Dimittis" work less well for me; at most, I find them mildly titillating, and at worst, a faintly embarrassing and rather unwelcome interruption to the story.
I'm afraid, though, that this says more about my sexual preferences than about your story-telling; I find that for me to get turned on by words, they need to have a fairly limited range of vocabulary, mainly centred around 'talking dirty'. The slightly coy and rather quaintly euphemistic way you describe the sex scenes does little for me personally, other than sometimes to leave me with a faint air of embarrassment - almost as if you were trying to describe the scene to me, but were yourself too embarrassed to do so other than indirectly.
Having understood Andrea's character, that is perhaps to some extent appropriate in any case. I also find that the rhythm of the 'sexy bits' is a bit too slow for me; there is no kind of progressive buildup to an eventual climax, but rather, the sexual impetus drops off in between bits, if you see what I mean? But I guess all this means is that I am already conditioned to the "wham, bam, thank'ee Ma'm!" American style of erotic fiction.
However, overall, I have really enjoyed the things I have read of yours, and I simply love your stories.
Love and hugs
Tony
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Sunday, 11 July 1999 |
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Dear Andrej
I will tell you that it is rare that I read stories because I find myself analyzing them, and I lose the magic (it's the same when I see a movie or go to the theater. Sad, but that's what happens...)
However, in your case, I found myself drawn in, and, if I may, I would like to download these treasures and savour them at length. Since they are translated, I am certain that they are more poignant in the original.
I read only 4 of your stories: Nunc dimittis, Cardellino, Il giocattolo del Boss, and Epistolario.
I found myself able to understand, but I am trying not to translate in my mind, and this makes the reading a task at present. However, and still, I found myself totally drawn in. You are a marvellous storyteller!
Now here's the truth: every summer, I go on a one-writer binge... I get everything s/he wrote, and I spend my time immersing myself into his/her world. So: I did not have such a project yet, and now, it is you (and, of course, reviving my knowledge della sua lingua).
With respect
Pierre
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Saturday, 20 February 1999 |
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Dear Andrew:
Peace with smiles! I first read your "Priest, forever", and since I am a Catholic, it "suited" me, and I enjoyed it very much -- especially the excellent ending. Then I read your "Life begins at 25", which I also found to be excellent -- I have several friends who work with the handicapped, and I only wish I could share it with them, but I cannot (what would a nun think!?!). I have started your "Nunc Dimittis" (of course, the title caught my eye, since I am a former Latin teacher).
I have also visited your web site, and particularly wish to congratulate you for your Memorial Hall -- helps me to reinvigorate my praying. I often pray to that martyr of ours, Matthew Shephard.
Take good care of yourself.
Ciao, with brotherly affection,
Theo
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Wednesday, 22 April 1998 |
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Hello--
I accidentally stumbled on some of your stories that were linked from another site, then went on to your home page. It is a very nice home page, and it's refreshing to read a page that includes some real insight and intelligence for a change! So many things are done badly on the internet that it is rare to find something really good.
I haven't read ALL your stories, but what I did read has impressed me because it is obvious that you have taken the time and effort to research the times and places where your stories take place. I was a history major in college, so accuracy is very important to me. In your story "Nunc Dimittis" the only mistake I spotted was that Germany, not Russia, invaded Norway.
You also indicated you are looking for help in translating your stories into "Good" English form, and I think I might be able to help you there. I of course do not understand more than about two words of Italian, but I do think I would be able to help "polish" or "refine" your rough English translations.
Thanks very much,
--Roger
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Friday, 17 April 1998 |
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Sir,
I have never written anyone before about a story I have read, tho, I have only read the first six chapters of Nunc Dimittis, I can truly say I am moved. If this story is true (and I hope it is), then I envy you. Envy not from the sex, but from the love. I believe that all people need to express true love, that love that only comes from the soul no matter the partner or preference.
In only one respect did my life parellel yours (in the story), I listened to the padre, and covered and controlled my desires to fit what society demanded. To this day I regret that decision, but through time and age I have been resigned to the fact that I will always be Uncle Chris, or the only family relative to arrive at a party single. This is not a cry, it is only a soft moan for time and love missed.
Sorry to ramble on, but I just wanted to say thanks for the story, and I will try to find the rest either on your site or at the gaycafe library.
May peace be with you.
Chris
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