"In the Backyards" by Frederick T. (an19164@anon.nymserver.com). Guest review 
by Dart.

I found this to be a somewhat strange story. It certainly didn't develop in 
the direction I expected; and even after I read the story several times, its 
development, its plot, still leaves me both baffled and amused. Perhaps the 
proper way to view the story is simply as a series of events that occur to a 
twelve-year-old one summer - events that are connected because they happened 
to him. These events may describe reality, but they make for a disjointed 
story. Still, I did enjoy reading it - if that makes any sense.

The story begins very pleasantly by describing the summer adventures of a 
healthy, and daring it turns out, twelve-year-old male. One morning he climbs 
a tree and discovers that he has an unobstructed view into Elsa's bedroom. And 
there she is, nude, combing her hair. He watches until she eventually sees 
him. For a moment they stare at each other, and then Elsa closes the drapes.

Well, I suppose for a twelve-year-old that that's enough to create an 
obsession. It certainly does so for the story's young hero. He returns to his 
lookout tree on several other occasions, but the drapes are always closed. 
More drastic action is required, and the young man rises to the challenge.

What should happen now? Well, for me, what happened was totally unexpected. It 
was also not well integrated into the plot. I won't say more, because everyone 
should be allowed to experience the story's surprise for him- or herself.

Ratings for "In the Backyards" Athena (technical quality): 8 Venus (plot & 
character): 6 Dart (appeal to reviewer): 7
