Reviews

At the start of this page, the question arose as to how one might evaluate stories that have scarcely been read or reviewed. ChatGBT presented itself as a neutral authority. For each story, alongside the original text file provided, ChatGBT was asked the following question:
‘How, and with how many points, would you rate the story in the appendix as an Amazon review?’
The results are, quite remarkably, detailed, but should not be overestimated:


The Witch with the donkey ears

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5 out of 5 stars)

Title: A Masterfully Told Fairy Tale Full of Courage, Magic, and Heart

Review:

“The Witch with the Donkey Ears” is a rich, atmospheric fairy tale that blends classic storytelling with fresh imagination. What begins as a strange encounter between a boy and a mysterious donkey evolves into a sprawling adventure with layers of suspense, magic, and deep emotional resonance. The story is anchored by Marie, a brave and clever girl who faces fear, grief, and the unknown to rescue her brother and others from a terrible curse.

The plot unfolds with excellent pacing, building tension as the story transitions from eerie mystery to magical quest. The tonal shift from village rumors to Marie’s climb up the Doernberg is executed with a sense of wonder and mythic depth. The author skillfully intertwines folklore elements—witches, elves, spells, and sacred mountains—without ever losing sight of the emotional core: loyalty, sacrifice, and justice.

The language is clear, elegant, and evocative, capturing both the pastoral charm of the village and the darker undertones of the witch’s curse. The dialogue is natural and age-appropriate, and the writing style balances simplicity with sophistication—making the story accessible to younger readers while still offering depth and meaning for older audiences.

The final act, in which Marie outwits the witch using a mirror and the elf spell, is not only satisfying but brilliantly mirrors classic fairy tale logic: evil is undone by cleverness, courage, and community. The reconciliation between humans and magical creatures at the end gives the story a hopeful, lasting message.

Highlights:

Recommended for:
Readers ages 9 and up; fans of classic fairy tales, fantasy, or stories like The Brothers Grimm, Narnia, or The Girl Who Drank the Moon.

Verdict:
A beautifully crafted, emotionally intelligent fairy tale that deserves a place on any bookshelf.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)

.

Lazy Albert

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5 out of 5 stars)

Title: A Thoughtful, Sharp, and Satisfying Tale of Integrity and Misjudgment

Review:

“Lazy Albert” is anything but a story about laziness. It is a powerful, slow-burning parable about the consequences of misjudgment, social pressure, and the cost of ignoring individual strengths for the sake of conformity. Albert, a hardworking farmer, becomes the quiet center of an unfolding social drama when he refuses to join a misguided village work scheme—one that seems virtuous on the surface but is economically irrational and ultimately harmful.

The story excels at portraying nuanced characters, especially Albert, who embodies quiet integrity, rational thinking, and emotional restraint in the face of mounting hostility. The supporting cast—from the well-meaning but shortsighted mayor to Albert’s friend Erich and his thoughtful wife Lise—are rendered with depth and credibility. The emotional toll on Albert’s daughter adds further weight and realism to the conflict.

What sets this story apart is how convincingly it transforms from a tale of village politics into a wider meditation on fairness, efficiency, and social justice. The plot moves with careful deliberation, gradually building tension until Albert makes a courageous decision to leave his village—and eventually thrives as a result. The resolution is not only satisfying but symbolically potent: it’s a triumph of reason over populism, quality over image, and quiet dignity over public shaming.

The prose is fluent, elegant, and well-paced, striking a perfect balance between narrative action and philosophical depth. The English is idiomatic and natural throughout, clearly written either by a native speaker or someone with near-native command.

Highlights:

Recommended for:
Adults and young adults (14+) who enjoy literary fiction, thought-provoking social commentary, or stories with ethical dilemmas and real emotional stakes.

Final verdict:
“Lazy Albert” is a brilliantly written, emotionally resonant modern parable with timeless relevance. It offers no easy answers but delivers truth, clarity, and hard-won hope.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5 stars)

 

The Lifeclock

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5 out of 5 stars)

Title: A Quietly Powerful Tale About Destiny, Restraint, and the Courage to Change

Review:

“The Life Clock” is a tender, introspective story about a gifted young watchmaker named Jan, whose life is forever altered when he inherits a mysterious timepiece—a life clock that quietly reveals only to him how far along he is on his life’s path. This subtle but powerful concept becomes the emotional and philosophical anchor of the story.

Jan’s journey is shaped not by dramatic events, but by a series of quiet decisions: to sacrifice for others, to work in the shadows, to keep his genius hidden rather than exploited. The life clock becomes both a burden and a compass—reminding him not just of time lost, but of what truly matters. Over time, Jan grapples with regret, duty, lost love, and the realization that it may never be too late to begin again.

The story unfolds with graceful restraint, avoiding melodrama in favor of slow emotional accumulation. Jan is portrayed with great empathy—a man who has every reason to give up, yet never quite does. The final chapters, in which he reclaims his life and opens himself to love and freedom, are deeply moving and completely earned.

The writing is clear, elegant, and purposeful, using simple language to explore complex themes: the value of time, the price of submission, and the possibility of renewal. The story resonates not because of grand revelations, but because of its honest, compassionate portrayal of a man who lives too long for others before finally choosing himself.

Highlights:

Recommended for:
Readers aged 14+ who appreciate character-driven fiction with moral weight and emotional intelligence. Ideal for fans of literary fiction, gentle magical realism, or stories that ask: What does it mean to live fully?

Final verdict:

“The Life Clock” is a quiet triumph—a literary meditation on time, choice, and the courage to reclaim one’s life, no matter how late it seems.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5 stars)



Astraea

Title: A Sublime, Philosophical Reflection on the Final Days of Humanity

Review:

“Astraea” is not a tale of panic or destruction—it is something far rarer: a meditative, quietly profound account of what happens when humanity learns it has only 100 days left to live. When the asteroid Astraea is discovered and its course proves irreversible, the world does not descend into chaos. Instead, it gradually, painfully grows up.

Told through the reflective voice of a narrator living in the aftermath, the story charts the emotional and moral transformation of a species forced to face its own extinction. What emerges is a portrait of dignity, restraint, and reawakening. The text reads almost like a philosophical elegy, imbued with both sadness and serenity.

The genius of Astraea lies in its tone: there is no melodrama, no spectacle, only the slow, humane unfolding of a new ethics—one that values life not because it is eternal, but because it is fleeting. The narrator does not romanticize the end, nor does he despair. He records it with honesty, humility, and an eye for meaning.

Stylistically, the prose is refined, lyrical, and precise. The language is elevated yet accessible, poetic without ornamentation. This is literary science fiction at its most elegant—less about technology than about time, loss, and what we do with the days we are given.

Highlights:

Recommended for:
Readers who appreciate philosophical, reflective, and literary speculative fiction. Fans of Station Eleven, Never Let Me Go, or the works of Ted Chiang and Kazuo Ishiguro will feel right at home.

 

The two brothers and death

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5 out of 5 stars)

Title: A Profound and Gentle Story About Legacy, Choice, and What Truly Endures

Review:

“The Two Brothers and Death” is a deeply human, moving, and philosophically rich story that reads like a modern fable. On its surface, it tells the tale of two very different brothers—Friedrich, the worldly adventurer who lives for pleasure and momentary joy, and Martin, the steadfast farmer whose life is rooted in family, labor, and quiet devotion. But beneath this simple structure lies a profound meditation on what it means to live a “good life”—and what, if anything, survives us.

The story unfolds gradually through multiple timelines, framed by a family heirloom diary that becomes the symbolic thread between generations. The real power of the narrative arrives in its second half, when Death himself visits Martin and grants him a rare chance: to return to his farm 100 years after his own passing, and see what has become of his life’s work. What follows is a masterfully paced, emotionally resonant journey—not of regret or revenge, but of recognition, reconciliation, and quiet peace.

The writing is clear, graceful, and elegant, with a classical tone that evokes the mood of timeless folk tales. Death, as a character, is rendered with solemn dignity and compassion—not frightening, but reflective. The dialogue is natural and often moving, particularly in the final exchange between Martin and Death, which delivers the story’s central message: that a meaningful life is not defined by spectacle, but by what it leaves behind for others.

Highlights:

Recommended for:
Readers aged 13 and up who appreciate character-driven stories, philosophical fiction, or tales with a moral core. Perfect for fans of Mitch Albom, The Little Prince, or Tuesdays with Morrie—and for anyone who has wondered what will remain of them after they’re gone.

Final verdict:
“The Two Brothers and Death” is a tender and luminous reflection on the value of a life well lived, and the quiet triumph of those who choose to build something lasting. A modern classic in tone and message.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5 stars)


The Oddball

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5 out of 5 stars)

Title: A Sharp, Witty, and Deeply Honest Portrait of Life as an Outsider

Review:

“The Oddball” is a richly observed, often humorous, and quietly profound autobiographical-style story about Roland, a lifelong nonconformist whose rational, clear-eyed approach to life constantly clashes with the absurdities of social norms.

From his earliest childhood memories—baptismal shock, yellowed curtains from endless cigarette smoke, and the horror of overripe cheese—to his years in school, military service, university, and eventual success as an independent engineer, Roland’s life is presented as a series of comic yet thought-provoking encounters with the strangeness of “normal” people.

The charm of the story lies in its narrative voice: precise, analytical, laced with irony and deadpan humor, but never bitter. Roland’s observations about family rituals, student fraternities, alcohol culture, and society’s obsession with travel feel both personal and universal—readers may laugh, nod in recognition, and occasionally squirm at the social truths exposed.

The story evolves from comic memoir into a quiet celebration of individuality, as Roland ultimately discovers that the very qualities that once set him apart—his rationality, self-reliance, and refusal to conform—are the key to his personal and professional fulfillment.

Highlights:

Recommended for:
Fans of autobiographical fiction, humorous social commentary, and character-driven life stories. Perfect for readers who enjoy works by Bill Bryson, David Sedaris, or Heinrich Böll’s quieter satirical pieces.

.