I loved this story! Much like LolaShoes' My Yes, My No, this story offered fresh insight into the New Moon story. In this case, we get to see the perspective of the Cullens and the paternal love Carlisle feels for Edward.
The day I started reading this fic just so happened to be the same day that giselle posted the final chapter. As I read this story, I had the greatest back and forth with the author who responded to nearly every review I wrote. Check it out!
BELOW ARE MY REVIEWS AND THE AUTHOR'S REVIEW REPLIES. AKA SPOILERVILLE, USA. If you haven't read the story yet, you might want to avoid.
Ch 1 review:
Hi! This story has been on my "to read" list forever and I'm so excited to be starting it! I saw New Moon last night (for the 2nd time) and thought about how interesting it would be to get the family's perspective on the story. So here I am. Thanks for writing, and I'm sure I'll enjoy reading.
-- Althea
G's Ch 1 response:
Hi Althea! Welcome. So glad you've decided to pick up Ithaca, and I hope you enjoy it. You'll be pleased to know that I am *just* about to post the final chapter, so within the hour, you'll have a completed fic to read. Have fun!
Let me know what you think--I love to talk back to my readers.
Best,
g
Ch 3 review:
Carlisle's love for Edward makes my heart swell. And the image of him cradling Edward in his arms is heartbreaking! I love how Esme is the voice of reason, already considering Bella to be her daughter. It's infuriating how in New Moon, and in this story, Carlisle gives into Edward's wishes so easily! Guilt is a powerful thing.
Ch 7 review:
G, I've been meaning to mention via review... I really enjoy the way you alternate between EPOV and CPOV. It grounds the story in an interesting way. If we were to be tagging along entirely with Edward, it could get quite maudlin. Being able to put his angsty solo adventures against the backdrop of what the family is going through makes this story really unique. --Althea
G's Ch 7 response:
Althea,
Really, really glad you like the alternation. It was interesting--I wrote a short piece from CPOV ("1040") and loved being in his head, and my original idea was just to tell the Cullens without Edward. But I realized that I needed the beautiful tension of Carlisle and Edward pulling against each other in their two narratives. In the end, I really felt it wound up a stronger story for it, and so I'm tickled to hear that this, in particular, is something you enjoy.
Ch 8 review:
I LOVE the insight that Carlisle's journal provides! I'm not sure Edward is in a state of mind where he is able to derive the best lessons from it. But regardless, it must be helpful for him to see that Carlisle is indeed imperfect.
G's Ch 8 response:
Yes! You've absolutely hit the nail on the head asking the question whether Edward can derive the best lessons from Carlisle's journal. This whole piece is about Carlisle being imperfect, and Edward gets to learn that lesson, too.
The journal kinda sticks around. I hope you enjoy it. :)
Ch 9 review:
I see you've posted your final chapter. Congrats on a complete fic! I'm still working my way through and enjoying every chapter.
G's Ch 9 response:
Thanks, Althea! Glad to hear you're enjoying it. This particular one, "In Giving," was one of my favorite chapters because it's so quiet, in its own way. And I loved writing Jasper. He's just awesome.
Ch 11 review:
This chapter was amazingly powerful. Many tears were shed. You did a wonderful job with this one.
G's Ch 11 response:
Thank you, Althea! This one was one of the tougher ones to write, but it came off the way I wanted it to. Glad you enjoyed it.
Ch 15 review:
I LOVED getting to see Edward and Carlisle's relationship over the years, starting with a newborn Edward. This was so emotional -- totally a piece of the story that hadn't been told but which adds such depth of consequence. To see through C's eyes as he faces the potential death of his own son -- heartbreaking!
G's Ch 15 response:
Chapter 15 was probably one of my favorites to write, precisely because I got
to walk through all those flashbacks. I'm glad you enjoyed them!
Ch 19 review:
G, There are so many things that I love about this final chapter! Please forgive the length of this review, as I gots a lot of fangrling love for you at the moment ;) Where to start?
First off, Bella and Carlisle's conversation at his office establishes such a special bond between the two of them that is absent from SM's books. And it is wonderful to be seeing Bella through C's eyes, and witnessing the respect and appreciation he has for not only what she gives Edward, but for who she is as a person. And what a great insight she provides: “You’re like Edward, you know that? Both of you—you think you need to be perfect. You made a mistake, Carlisle. You fixed it. It’s done.” Such a spot-on connection that really illuminates how similar father and son are in holding themselves to a higher standard, as they rebel against their "monster" nature.
And then Carlisle's conversation with Edward in his study... what a perfect way to drive the story home! To bring it full circle. I love the conclusion Carlisle comes to regarding their souls. SM raised this issue early on in NM but never really brought this notion to a satisfying resolution beyond Edward's admission in Volterra that, "Carlisle was right" and then Bella's reminder that there's hope for Edward yet.
But in your story Carlisle really makes a very convincing argument as he enumerates all of the ways that Edward had demonstrated humanity, and then passionately and resolutely declares, “these are not the acts of a man who has lost his humanity. A demon doesn’t know sadness, or loneliness, or heartbreak. A soulless being doesn’t experience that kind of pain... And he definitely does not experience love.” And the most satisfying part, as a reader, it seems that maybe Edward finally gets it! Of course he's still the same angry emo canon Edward we know and love, but it appears that perhaps at least this lesson has permeated his stubborn head.
Not to mention that we are reminded of the boyish, lovable part of Edward that makes him so charming, in his final interaction with C in the story, after C says, I love you.
"My son looked down to the floor a moment, and when he lifted his head, the tiniest smile had spread on his face as his eyes shone in the darkness.
“I know, Carlisle,” he answered quietly, his fingers grazing the pocket where he had just stashed the license. “Trust me, I know.”
Gah! Such a sweet little interaction!
And I LOVE how you end it with Carlisle's introspective journal entry. There's a true sense of closure in his decision to defy Edward's wishes regarding Bella's mortality. That lessons were learned as a parent, that sometimes his role is to guide and nurture his son in the right direction, and not to always give in to Edward's stubborn desires. And that Carlisle seems to have a newfound confidence that such decisions are made out of his love for his son and family, as opposed to being made out of feelings of guilt for having changed him into a vampire.
G, you did such a great job in offering your readers a truly fresh and interesting take on the NM story!! Thanks for sharing it!!
Much much love, Althea
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