I really like your sense of humour, and I love how crazy and absurd this story is while still being coherent and with the Cartwrights being in-character despite all that craziness. The content of Adam’s letters is hilarious, they’re becoming more and more outlandish, and you as a reader have really no idea where it is all going. Yet there is something about these letters that it seems completely believable they came from Adam. And—I don’t want to be too spoilery, so I'll say is vaguely—the part with Shakespeare and the horse trough had me in stitches. Oh, if only I could see it played by Pernell… Anyway, the craziness of the story really sparks the reader’s interest, and the ending is perfect. Also, I like that even though it’s pure comedy, you can still see the relationship between the brothers here. Like in that first conversation at the breakfast table, with Joe’s thoughts on Adam and his vacation—it shows the differences between Joe and Adam and how Joe doesn't exactly understand his older brother. But then, with all Joe’s grumbling about the work he has to do (and the description of various trouble the boys have back on the Ponderosa was very funny too!), I could still feel he’s worried about Adam deep down. Though I have to admit it—Joe had it coming, LOL. By the way, your story made me think about the Cartwrights and trips in general. On the show, they travelled often and it seemed quick and easy. I never gave it much thought before, but in reality, life on a ranch was much less exciting and travel much harder, so one of the boys leaving on vacation to San Francisco would be a big thing for them. I can really imagine others impatiently awaiting his letters to hear about his adventures, which would provide them with some entertainment in their mundane everyday work. I really like how you used this premise to base your story on.
(Review written for Reader’s Choice Round 31)
