The Man Underneath

Hello there
Haha I'm just going to sneak in and leave you something small, your first few posts and everyone has (lovingly??) Bombarded you with novels of reviews!
I really enjoyed it, I could feel her.. Really feel her, it seems super real? It couldve been a testimonial. Think you got most of it down nicely, I was just a little bit confused about the ending.I think it might be a little vague, I was scrambling for more of an explanation I think.
It was good
Well done!

Hi Kevin! I'm here to hopefully help

Caoimhinmarc wrote:My husband lay on the bed, tightly I don't think this is a correct expression sleeping in the quiet night of November. His face was chiseled with sheer innocence inappropriate juxtaposition, chiselled implies sharpness, in contrast with innocence's implications of softness. Perhaps: 'moulded with'? and his hands, soft like throw pillow, rested on my stomach. The moonlight beamed through the glass window and complemented his naturally adorable visage. His lips struggled with its manly beauty. His brawny arms whispered to me how secure I am in this home. I slid my hand on his chest and wondered in its hardness how a heart could live in such place. But I felt it beat… and warm.

I loved him this way only… now. Erm, what? This very sight was a pleasure I have been wanting him to give me. The satisfaction I have in this marriage was this one thing. Nothing else but this nightly scenery.

As I viewed his ridiculously immaculate image, a tear dropped smoothly on my cheek. The tickle it gave made me smile and appreciate this ephemeral beauty. Masculinely angelic. I don't think the 'masculinely' is needed, but that's only my opinion, because it's plausible that male angels look angelic without looking like feminine :P

I remembered a long time ago, my husband had this usual glow. He would smile reluctantly but actually from deep inside him as he got in his car, wave waved at me as the vehicle backed to the street. The car made its way on the road; I would bend and throw a cheerful glance at him. He would grin so softly and heartily until I saw him no more. Every evening those same times, I would just learn that he arrived when I felt his familiar embrace on my back Inappropriate use of 'embrace' I think, because it involves holding/hugging the person, so you can't exactly feel it on your back as I cooked in the kitchen. I would hear him smell my hair and it would ensoul Erm, I get the gist of it, but the word doesn't quite work for me in this situation, but it's your call. me so suddenly. That hug lasted for quite a long time as if it would refill his strength. And those gentle palms of his would caress my cheeks in on the cold rainy days.

But those were the past. His heart had rotten and his body grew cold even in the summer nights. And my heart was all drained with I don't think with is the right word but I can't offer an alternative because I'm not sure what you want to explain. Perhaps drained of? him except for the first time I had awakened in at midnight and observed a now rare spectacle. Since then, every time the clock struck twelve I would arouse and warm myself amidst the chilly breeze by the sight of him. The sight that shone like the light in daybreak and warmed the trees and their leaves, that melted icicles and enlivened this word means to make something more interesting, it links with the waters part but based on the slumbering creatures bit, it would sound rather off the iridescent waters and the slumbering creatures.

But there came a most horrible day when I could not endure it anymore. The daily atrocity that I received from his punitive hands and his asinine this means very stupid, but I think something along the lines of cruel would be more appropriate? tongue were no longer tolerable. And Are we allowed to start with 'And'? I'm actually not sure xD day by day I would imprison myself in the bathroom as I silently beheld myself in the mirror. I used to cry and cry over this whole situation but I felt like my eyes already had dried up and could no longer shed any tear tears. Many a time had the thought of ending all this through a rope or a bottle of medicine come in my mind I find this rather awkward-sounding, I suggest: entered my mind. But Again, are we allowed to start with But? I'm not sure if there are exceptions such as in 'informal' cases. Either way, I'd suggest you avoid starting like this if possible :) I learned you are the teacher, therefore when you act upon your heart, you 'taught' my heart to be adamantine This word means unyielding, which doesn't quite link with what she's trying to say. because of the continuous viciousness and decided that my fate had not been to die. So I stood up and stopped concealing.

I cared not about my husband’s sharp words and cruel arms anymore; I pleased him by with my warm ambience. Yes, he grew suspicious at first but later on did not matter Not the most apt phrase. I think you mean something like: relaxed, dismissing/discarding his initial suspicion/wariness OR but later dwelled/dwelt on it no longer as he enjoyed the wholehearted devotion and service I made you don't make devotion and service, you provide it. I followed his every order and ascertained every bit of his preferences so as not to awaken his monstrosity this sounded a tad awkward. But <- unfortunately still, with all these efforts of my perhaps undeformed I would think it is twisted/deformed, because it's not quite logical to love an abusive spouse love, he did not cease on mocking me by his usual and different methods I don't really think this bit is needed because it basically tells us he did something and something else he did not do, and there's no elaboration either.

During evenings, when he went returned would be a better word, because he is coming to you, whereas 'went' makes it sound like he's going somewhere away from you home, I would approach him. I could would flutter in fear sometimes as I hurried and opened the door. Grabbing his leather shoulder bag, I would also take off his coat with full concern on him and it the sentence does not flow, and where is the cause for concern? I think you mean 'care' because concern has a stronger flavour of worry rather than 'love'. Even if you mean concern, you'll need to elaborate in order to prevent your readers from being baffled. Then he would follow me to the dining room and he would not needed sneer at me more often <- strange behaviour o_O. So I made him eat up to his satisfaction It doesn't really flow. I would prefer 'eat his fill/eat until he was sated/satisfied' every supper. I cooked him meals that diet-conscious people would seldom from the context, I think it isn't seldom, but frequently avoid, nodded on his vices, just so I would see his expressions of approval. I made him work no more for the chores, even washing his car. All those things I did for years. So he just lay, during his free days, on the settee and faced nothing but the television. As if he were paralyzed. As if he had a slave to do this is too vague, use a more descriptive word like 'tidy' every inch of the house. Yet no matter my attempts Sounds awkward, how about 'my attempts were futile'?, he did not show any warmth.

My body grew more tired as it always is the word 'more' implies there is change, so it cannot always be so but I tried to endure all this. I know a time would come when he would not be able to sneer at me, hit me and pulverize this word is a tad too brutal and specific for this description, but that's my opinion my heart anymore.

One night, I set the dishes on the table and prepared for his usual meals… steaks, pasta, fried food. Those were his favorites. He then sat on the cushioned chair and waited for something. I quivered as I laid the plates. I went at once to the kitchen and grabbed the flagon. But for no apparent reason, I spilled the beverage on him and he drew back quickly. I could see the effect of blood running up his head at the that moment. I sensed a frightening act sounds too robotic and bland for me that would happen tonight and eventually send awkward-souding. 'Render' would be more appropriate, I think. Also, the immobility would sound a bit strange unless you describe why she becomes immobile me immobile on the bed. He stood. His temples were carved with obvious this doesn't really convey the 'popping out' effect of the veins enough because it could also mean his skin has a transparent/translucent quality veins. He flapped his arms as if drying them up to dry them. As he did so, I did not see the instant not appropriate slap that sent my face I find it strange to detach the face from your body in description like that and my whole being down the floor. For this simple matter I got my body bruised I don't think this is needed because surely she would sustain bruising injuries from such an assault, which is also no simple matter. He pulled my hair and uttered very unpleasant statements that put me to lacrimation Not quite appropriate because it means abnormal/excessive tears. I think such abuse warrants bucketfuls of tears. The way you phrased it also doesn't sound correct, but I may be wrong. This time I felt numb. Despite my tears I felt numb. I can't quite grasp that concept though part of me thinks it's plausible, because the eyes secrete tears for health purposes, and also to convey emotion, which involves to a certain degree, feeling.

I screamed in despair Aha, this is emotion, so she can't be numb as he grabbed me up by hair as he yanked me up by the hair. His right hand rapidly took hold strange description of my face, covering my mouth. My cheeks were smeared with tears now. This is a case of 'telling too much'. It's obvious that her cheeks would be streaked with tears from all that crying He stared at me as I cried and his eyes showed a burning contempt to me. More succinctly: He regarded me with burning contempt as I wept (use some variation for the word 'cry'). After a moment he threw me away I would prefer something else like 'flung me aside'. I get the likening of her being callously discarded like trash, but it degrades her humanity. Her husband may see her as filth, but she does not think of herself as trash and I had no idea where I was landing. I felt like I wanted to lay there dead Didn't she set her mind on living? forever. I had never wished for this. Of course she didn't, but surely she should have expected something like this to happen? Furthermore, if she doesn't want it to happen, why did she not be more proactive?

But very determinedly You mentioned how she felt like lying on the floor forever, so there's a contradiction, I grasped the back of a chair and maintained my balance She's lying on the floor, there is no balance to maintain. Grasping the chair does not necessarily tell us that she has gotten up. My whole world broke and I wanted to be crushed down with it. But I wanted to live She sounds mood-swingy now for myself. As I got on my feet, still wailing I find this comical, somehow xD, I turned and saw him leaning, his hands on the wall. He was bowing as if he somewhat regretted hurting me but it mattered to me not 'did not matter to me' would flow better.

Die, you monster! I yelled at him. I did this out of fear That's one strange way of showing fear , and still I was frightened what he would do next after what I said Something's redundant in here, I can't quite pinpoint it. I think it's the repeated mention of her fear in one sentence. My body shivered I think 'trembled' would be more apt, but it's fine if you want to keep it. and as he drew near me, pacing not quite appropriate. I'd suggest: 'advancing with the deliberate slowness of a predator closing in on its prey' , his right hand 'fist' would be better clenched. Tears flowed in my anxiety You can mention the anxiety, but mentioning tears is superfluous, but I was paralyzed in at that very second. I could not run away. I was frozen. Too much telling. The use of 'paralyzed' already implies all of this. You can have emphasis, but this is excessive.

Just as he was ready to inflict his fist Awkward, be more specific with conveying the pain. Example: inflict a blow on me, he suddenly petrified Awkward word, and it does not link with the following sentence. If he is petrified, his face would be fixed in expression because he becomes rigid like stone. His face contracted wrong word, I think you meant 'contorted' as if there were pain he felt 'as if he were in agony' would flow better, I think. He put his fist open 'placed his palm(s)' would describe the unclenching of his fists more elegantly on his chest and he moaned. He knelt down I get the impression of too much control for a person in pain. Try: 'dropped to his knees', his other hand on the floor A generally pointless description if it doesn't properly describe the support provided. For very few seconds, he instantly fell down. Odd-sounding and incorrect sentence. I'd suggest: Moments later, he collapsed.

Shocked After all her preparations for this moment to happen, should she really be shocked? Perhaps, but you should mention a plausible reason such as how she didn't expect it to happen at just the right moment, both redundant since hands is plural my hands enveloped my mouth. I stepped back once 'took a step back' flows better, for me. It's fine if you leave it as it is, though and realized what just happened. I pulled a chair and sat on it, as if exhausted but still not recovered there's no need for the 'as if' and 'but' should be 'and'. It could also be considered too much telling, since we'd expect fatigue after all that fighting. I realized all my efforts had finally (I add finally because her plan required a great deal of patience, and this was the long-awaited outcome) effected.

And I watched him all night. I like this ending. However...

Rather interesting resolution.

However, your narration is struggling. The way you open and convey your thoughts, this was how I understood the story:

1) Woman watches husband in bed. "This is the only way I can love him now."
2) Woman begins to reminisce about her husband. (This takes place before (1))
3) Woman details how he changed over time. (This also takes place before (1))
4) Woman says, "But there came a day when I could not endure it anymore." (Because we never came back to the present, I still read this as taking place before (1))
5) All that action happens, and husband dies. (before (1)?)
6) Woman goes back to watching him. <----------Here. Here is where you faltered!!

Let me explain. You open with the woman watching him in bed. And then we go through parts 2-5 that seem like they all happened in the past (before the opening). And then he collapses and dies. But it could have been so much BETTER if you wrapped it around to the beginning (so that (6) becomes (1)). Because then we learn that at the beginning, where we thought the husband was alive and she was watching him lovingly...ACTUALLY, he's dead and she is sick and twisted.

But I know this was not your intention because of this line in the beginning:

But I felt [his heart] beat… and warm.

Hello, welcome to YWS! I'm coco and I shall be your first reviewer

caoimhinmarc wrote:My husband lay on the bed, tightly [I think this is the wrong word - maybe you could try 'clinging tightly to the sheets', just my opinion of course ] sleeping in the quiet night of November [I think this phrase sounds a lil' odd - maybe you could try 'quiet November night' instead]. His face was chiseled with sheer innocence [again, I think this sentence is a lil' wierd. When I read the word 'chiseled' I think of a manly man if you know what I mean - this is why I think that this would sound better if you said something like 'his face was chiseled but eminated pure innoccense' - again, just my opinion ] and his hands, soft like throw pillow, rested on my stomach. The moonlight beamed through the glass window and complemented his naturally adorable [I think 'adorable' sounds odd here. It messes up the mood of the piece - I'd reccommend you choose another word to use] visage. His lips struggled with its manly beauty [I'm not getting this sentence]. His brawny arms whispered to me how secure I am in this home. I slid my hand on his chest and wondered in its hardness how a heart could live in such place. But I felt it beat… and warm [I think you need to switch this sentence so it sounds something like this: 'But I felt it's warmth...it's slow and steady beat,' something like that]

I loved him this way only… now [Hmm, the wording here is awkward]. This very sight was a pleasure I have been wanting him to give me. The satisfaction I have in this marriage was this one thing. Nothing else but this nightly scenery.

As I viewed his ridiculously immaculate image, a tear dropped smoothly on my cheek. The tickle it gave made me smile and appreciate this ephemeral beauty. Masculinely angelic.

I remembered a long time ago, my husband had this usual glow. He would smile reluctantly but actually from deep inside him as he got in his car, wave at me as the vehicle backed to the street. The car made its way on the road; I would bend and throw a cheerful glance at him. He would grin so softly and heartily until I saw him no more. Every evening those same times ['same times' sounds very odd], I would just learn that he arrived when I felt his familiar embrace on my back as I cooked in the kitchen. I would hear him smell my hair and it would ensoul [?] me so suddenly. That hug lasted for quite a long time as if it would refill his strength. And those gentle palms of his would caress my cheeks in the cold rainy days.

But those were the past. His heart had rotten ['rotted'] and his body grew cold even in the summer nights. And my heart was all drained with him except for the first time I had awakened in midnight and observed a now rare spectacle. Since then, every time the clock struck twelve I would arouse and warm myself amidst the chilly breeze by the sight of him. The sight that shone like the light in daybreak and warmed the trees and their leaves, that melted icicles and enlivened the iridescent waters and the slumbering creatures.

But there came a most horrible day when I could not endure it anymore. The daily atrocity that I received from his punitive hands and his asinine tongue were no longer tolerable. And day by day I would imprison myself in the bathroom as I silently beheld myself in the mirror. I used to cry and cry over this whole [I think this would sound better if you took out 'this whole' and just put 'my' there] situation but I felt like my eyes ['had'] already dried up and could no longer shed any ['any more tears'] tear. Many a time had the thought of ending all this through a rope or a bottle of medicine ['pills would sound better'] come in my mind. But I learned my heart to be adamantine because of the continuous viciousness and decided that my fate had not been to die. So I stood up and stopped concealing.

I cared not about my husband’s sharp words and cruel arms anymore; I pleased him by my warm ambience. Yes, he grew suspicious at first but later on did not matter as he enjoyed the wholehearted devotion and service I made. I followed his every order and ascertained every bit of his preferences so as not to awaken his monstrosity. But unfortunately still, with all these efforts of my perhaps undeformed love, he did not cease on mocking me by his usual and different methods.

During evenings, when he went home, I would approach him. I could [you mean 'would'] flutter in fear sometimes as I hurried and opened the door. Grabbing his leather shoulder bag, I would also take off his coat with full concern on him and it. Then he would follow me to the dining room and he would sneer at me more often. So I made him eat up to his satisfaction every supper. I cooked him meals that diet-conscious people would seldom avoid, nodded on his vices, just so I would see his expressions of approval. I made him work no more for the chores, even washing his car. All those things I did for years. So he just lay, during his free days, on the settee and faced nothing but the television. As if he were paralyzed. As if he had a slave to do every inch of the house. Yet no matter my attempts, he did not show any warmth.

My body grew more tired as it always is but I tried to endure all this. I know a time would come when he would not be able to sneer at me, hit me and pulverize my heart anymore.

One night, I set the dishes on the table and prepared for his usual meals… steaks, pasta, fried food. Those were his favorites. He then sat on the cushioned chair and waited for something. I quivered as I laid the plates. I went at once to the kitchen and grabbed the flagon. But for no apparent reason, I spilled the beverage on him and he drew back quickly. I could see the effect of blood running up his head at the moment. I sensed a frightening act that would happen tonight and eventually send me immobile on the bed. He stood. His temples were carved with obvious veins. He flapped his arms as if drying them up. As he did, I did not see the instant slap that sent my face and my whole being down the floor. For this simple matter I got my body bruised. He pulled my hair and uttered very unpleasant statements that put me to lacrimation. This time I felt numb. Despite my tears I felt numb.

I screamed in despair as he grabbed me up by hair. His right hand rapidly took hold of my face, covering my mouth. My cheeks were smeared with tears now. He stared at me as I cried and his eyes showed a burning contempt to me. After a moment he threw me away and I had no idea where I was landing. I felt like I wanted to lay there dead forever. I had never wished for this.

But very determinedly, I grasped the back of a chair and maintained my balance. My whole world broke and I wanted to be crushed down with it. But I wanted to live now for myself. As I got on my feet, still wailing, I turned and saw him leaning, his hands on the wall. He was bowing as if he somewhat regretted hurting me but it mattered to me not.

Die, you monster! I yelled at him. I did this out of fear, and still I was frightened what he would do next after what I said. My body shivered and as he drew near me, pacing, his right hand clenched. Tears flowed in my anxiety, but I was paralyzed in that very second. I could not run away. I was frozen.

Just as he was ready to inflict his fist on me, he suddenly petrified. His face contracted as if there were pain he felt. He put his fist open on his chest and he moaned. He knelt down, his other hand on the floor. For very few seconds, he instantly fell down.

Shocked, both my hands enveloped my mouth. I stepped back once and realized what just happened. I pulled a chair and sat on it, as if exhausted but still not recovered. I realized all my efforts effected.

And I watched him all night.