Hi,

I'm a faithful reader & very loyal fan of your work here, & while your note on your profile was incredibly encouraging for a while, could we get an indication of whether you've given up or there will be another chapter coming in some estimated & specified time, say 1 month?

I understand after all this time if you've hit a rut, but it would be nice to know if we should mentally close the book on this as a wonderful but sadly unfinished story, or have an idea of what dateline to look forward to before the next chapter.

Alternatively, you could give a date in which we can expect a next chapter; and if it isn't forthcoming on that date, we can regard the fic as finished.

I'm sorry to be persistent: after so long, I'm just looking for some closure!

Good luck with all your endeavours regardless; this is a remarkable & well-crafted story & I'm grateful to have read this much at least :)

Once I started this story, I could not stop. And I write this five hours since I began the first chapter and two minutes after the latest.
You have a gift that I am in both awe and envy of.
This has the makings of a movie.
I really don't know what else to say, and normally I have no problem with writing out a lengthy review vocalizing my immense liking of a particular story.
Hopefully you are making progress of some sort towards an update.
I shall faithfully wait for that day.

Hey Tango!

I see you're back in OZ! Good for you, bet its good to be back!

I reviewed this story annonymonsy a while back, I was wondering if you could maybe give us another hint or clue as to whether you will be continuing it (soon, in a while, never...) it would be great to hear from you again. I check in every now and again, just to see. This is such an amazing story and you have a true talent...I would love to read more from you!

All the best!

SB x

Fantastic. Please continue!

Your story is the most REAL I've ever come across in the dark, often overly dramatic hallways of PotO fandom. You've lifted the characters from the magnificent, but illusory surroundings of opera (in both a direct and indirect sense) and set them in the real world, and they are all the more beautiful for it. You've fleshed them out and they have become real people, not two-dimensional opera characters. It's wonderful how both Erik and Christine are striving to find themselves, not just their love. To say ‘I love you’ one must know first how to say the ‘I’, indeed. (About their love - I absolutely admire the idea that Christine visited Erik in the dark and Erik visited Christine in the light.) Your characterisation of Raoul is just as good, and you haven't fallen into the common trap and idealised Erik.

Naturally, the amazing historical accuracy gives the story a depth of background, all the details making it even more realistic. And the eloquent (and, as I notice with glee in this too-American world, British!) English is simply delightful.

Brava!

Regards,
chimere


PS And how could I not say this - please continue!

I started reading this story at 7 PM yesterday. I read until my eyes were red and sore and refused to stay open, slumped into bed, woke up, poured coffee, made some breakfast, and went back to reading. You’ve turned me into a pathetic, procrastinating, unproductive slave today; I realized at 5 PM that my breakfast was still sitting next to me, untouched. It’s a testament to how damned addicting and unbearably gorgeous this story is. It’s raw and REAL, and I love it. Your details bring the story to life, so that the settings and the characters practically fly off the page (er, screen). One would think you had actually lived to see the war with Prussia, so vivid and realistic are your descriptions of it!

I’m honestly still reeling, so you’ll forgive me if I sound a little scatterbrained. Just… just… amazing prose. Flawless characterizations. I must compliment you, in particular, on your take on Monsieur le Vicomte. It’s so easy to put him in a box, and it’s a trap that so many writers fall into; either he’s the tragic hero, and too kind, or made to be a drunkard and/or a possessive monster, which he clearly is not. You’ve nailed his humanity, and I applaud you on that. And I won’t even attempt to touch on your characterization of Erik. I could write you a novel on everything you did right with him, and it wouldn’t be enough to express my gratitude, as a fan.

You also are the first person I’ve ever seen dodge the biggest magnet of the fandom, which is that Erik/Christine sex = redemption. I was so stunned by the last sentence of that chapter – “Christine curled up inside him, and pretended they were happy” – that my mouth literally fell open and I clicked the next button so fast my fingers were a blur. Usually, that’s the end of it… the sex scene is the climax, the result of years of passion denied, and afterwards there is peace. But with you, it was just the beginning, and I cannot begin to tell you how that fascinated me!

I’m going to be a hypocrite now, and stamp my foot like a petulant, spoiled child: you can’t leave it THERE!

As one who has just returned to a story long forgotten (after a two year stretch), I completely understand how difficult it can be to pick up the pieces where they were left to gather dust for so long. But honestly, this is one of the best works on this entire site, and it would be a tragedy and a SIN for it to remain unfinished. I know you have it in you! After all that you have invested in it – clearly quite a bit, with all the historical research you must have done – and all that we, the readers, have to look forward to, I implore you to do whatever it takes to get that rusty muse oiled and functional again. Watch the movie, listen to the music… whatever it takes! Just please finish! I’m not above begging.

I think I’ll go reheat that breakfast and munch on it tetchily while I wait – now that it’s nearly midnight. ;)

Fondest regards,
Danielle

Ah, two long years since you updated. There are very few authors whose work is so good that I would still be checking for updates after two years, but yours is that good. Hope you find your muse once again. In the meantime, I will keep checking with hope in my heart!

Holy, **, this story's amazing. Its probably most believable after-the-movie fic I've ever read. And the most heartbreaking. And the most well written.

WOW. Just... wow.

It insanly romantic without being smutty. It puts all the characters into perspective. Erik trys to find redemption, Christine trys to her heart, and Raoul trys to find his place.

Need I say more but wow? Yes, actually, I do. Please update soon, lest I go insane. Please.

*Poke Poke, Prod Prod* Come back! :(

Hey Tango.

I reviewed Solo sometime last year anonymously, and still check in every so often to see if you've written anything new or to look over what other readers have said. Normally I don't respond to anything but the work itself, but after seeing 630...well, I do have something to say. I myself am a writer. I've got two novels in the works at the same time, piled on top of a horrifyingly busy 'real life'. One of my works has been on hold for three years. It's a historical fiction, and I am not familiar enough with the country, culture, or time period to feel confident doing any solid writing at this point. It doesn't mean that I don't think about the story, or that I don't occasionally write character sketches to stay in shape. It is for me as I suspect Solo is for you-- a tale you really do care about, and will continue at some point...but when you can make the commitment. Honestly, I learned a huge amount from you about writing. Show don't tell, characterization, the importance of research, and really saying something worth saying. You've got incredible subtlety in Solo; the scenes and dialogue have both stuck with me even now, when I haven't reread for quite some time. Basically, I just wanted to let you know that there are still people who have faith in you, and to encourage you not to give up. We'll be around to review whenever you're ready.

Two Years...I can't believe its been two years since this story was updated, and I can't believe I still care as much as I do!

I do honestly think that you have lost interest in this story. You dont believe in the story anymore, which is as bad as giving up.

I don't think it will ever be finished. And I don't blame you (Its clear you have had a lot going on!)And fanfiction is probably the very last thing on your agenda!

But, I really think you should admit that its not going to be finished. Because no matter how much I would LOVE to see this ended properly, I just don't see it happening.

I have lost heart...I would give anything to see this story updated,but it aint gonna happen...

I have officially given up on this story.

Here's hoping your muse comes back to you because I am certainly hooked.

I remember reading your Xena fics a few years ago, Fortuna's Champion is *fab* by the way! (I love Xena!)

Anyway, I thought I'd check out this fic...wow! I adore it! I'm am quite a newbie into the world of Phantom, but I love all things 19thCentury, and you have done a really good job of bringing the *setting* to life, as well as the characters! I think thats why this fic stands out amongst all the others.

I don't have an account on here anymore, but if I did this would def be on the faves list! And I REALLY hope that you will pick it up again soon, maybe a small half sized chapter would be a good way to ease yourself back in ;)

I really hope to see this fic updated oneday!

The update in your profile made my day! You still have an audience out here, and I am so glad this story isn't abandoned!

I'm sure that whenever you find the time to write more, it will have been worth the wait!

Thanks and good luck :D

-JLR

Happy New Year! Its a brand new year, and nearly a year since your last message! Can you please let us know if this story is permenently abandoned? Thats all we ask! This story is so good and deserves an ending...but if it is not going to be finished I think it fair that you let the readers know, then we will stop bugging you! :)