A life's worth

As per Shin’s request, I’ll do a review on this excellent duck fic (it’s not asa p, im sorry guys).

Anyway, regarding this Ningning fic written by one of the best smut writers out there, I think a great deal of what makes this fic special is it’s strong premise and plot. As stated in Duck’s author’s note, this fic borrows heavily from Three Days of Happiness, a manga by Miaki Sugaru and the book Norwegian Wood by Haruki Murukami.

For those that haven’t heard of the media I’ve mentioned, I personally believe it will probably be more rewarding for you as a reader going through this fic for the first time. For those that do know the referenced media, you can probably already guess what kind of fic you are in for.

It’s angst. yeah. That’s what you’re getting.

For me, Duck’s writing highlights several of his important skills. I think his prose is particularly suited for telling stories, the kind of writing that allows readers to be hooked onto a particular adventure that our MCs undergo. There’s a cheerful, youthful undertone to his narrative voice, the kind you find commonly in young adult fiction. This youthful approach, paired with his colloquial authorial voice allows readers to have fun with his works and writing, to immerse themselves without thinking too deeply about the implications of every little thing.

As a result of these particular traits, I find A life’s worth to be just as much an adventure as it is an angsty fic meant to draw tears. The fic feels like a quest, with all the interesting side quests and little incidents that pop up as we follow MC throughout each of his days. There’s also the wonderful comedic ideas and timings that are so uniquely Duck, which helps to just add that special something to Duck’s fics.

So it’s particularly poignant the way Duck utilises this particular author’s voice he has to write something as heavy as this. This fic tackles some very philosophical and meaningful questions, about own self-worth and about hope. I like the way Duck chooses to deliver each plot beat, allowing readers to familiarise themselves with MC, what kind of person he is, while also writing Ningning, our muse, with particularly strong characteristics (like her blunt speech) so that she is also interesting for readers, engaging them to explore more the further along the text we go.

Accompanying the narrative of the story, the well written banter and interaction, the companionship of MC and Ningning is what really sells this fic for me. I love the messages the fic touches on, the growth and catharsis MC and Ningning both reach. And the way the fic ends? It’s too heartbreakingly good to spoil. It’s such a clever and pretty ending (I wonder if it was borrowed?), sending the fic off at a point where readers can have a real moment of introspection.

The fact that Duck wrote something that really makes readers feel, really asks for self-reflection, something that lingers, I think that’s the biggest sign of a good piece of work.

Now can we get JiU bread? It’s been a bajillion years.