Differential Diagnosis People: Eden Sank To Grief
Counting down the last days to the season premiere, and as a spoilerphobe, I'm glad to note that there are absolutely no spoilers involved in this fic, just a trip to House's past.
Title: Eden Sank To Grief
Author: shutterbug_12
Nominated by: queenzulu
Summary: A series of twelve episodes that chronicles House and Stacy's relationship.
Why does this fic belong in the Housefic Meta Library? In chronicling House and Stacy's relationship over five years, Eden Sank To Grief is a wonderful example of backstory. It's a series of vignettes that offers an honest appraisal of the relationship. It stays well away from sappy, sentimental territory; it doesn't back down from showing the fights, tension, and points of friction between two strong-willed people. There are happy moments, too, that show the deep and abiding connection between them. It's one of my favourite techniques for showing emotion: the demonstration of the extraordinary through the ordinary. What is mundane becomes all the more meaningful because it is the everyday. House and Stacy are well-characterized, with great dialogue, and their relationship is never shown as anything less than realistic.
Most importantly, however, is the way in which shutterbug_12 chooses to approach the story, from Stacy's point of view. Stacy has often been demonized for her choice in Three Stories, yet we must imagine that she had her reasons, and most likely those reasons focused on her love and anxiety for House. Eden Sank To Grief offers readers the opportunity to step into Stacy's experiences and emotions for five years, all of which culminate in the heart-wrenching final section as she deals with her own fears during House's treatment after the infarction. shutterbug_12 expands the small moments of their relationship to show exactly why and how Stacy came to make the decision she does, sympathetically and with a great ability to draw the reader in to empathizing with her.
Over the course of the twelve episodes, I noticed a marked improvement in writing style and technique. Early chapters are more likely to lack description, although dialogue is consistently strong throughout. Later chapters become more rich in language use, voice, and subsequently, in emotion. Too, as in any relationship, the issues House and Stacy face as the chapters progress become more intense, and so, although the chapters are not narratively connected, there is a slow build of both theme and tension. The reason I most believe this is a Hall of Fame story is because it shows the development of the craft of writing. shutterbug_12 has grown as a writer over the course of exploring both pairing and backstory, and I believe that is the most significant praise any story can receive.
Excerpt:
Stacy blinked rapidly to trap the tears that stung her eyes, but felt herself bending to his silent plea for forgiveness. She wanted to speak, tell him that they were all right, that she was glad he was there now. She tried to dislodge the scratchy lump in her throat and accidentally released a loud, strangled sob.
Another kiss, longer but no less gentle, fell in the same place as the first. She still felt the warm press of his mouth when she heard his voice, low and barely audible; if he hadn't been so close, she never would have heard him.
"Stacy." He paused for a shallow breath. "Sweetheart."
A hot, burning ache burst outward from the center of her chest, forcing a hard hitch in her breath. Almost in response, Greg pressed his whole body to her, burying his face into the curve of her neck. She felt the gust of a shuddering breath on her skin, felt his chest heave against her back, and she wished that she had the energy to turn and wrap her limbs around him, kiss him anywhere her mouth would reach.
She felt the simultaneous brush of his eyelashes, soft and delicate, and his cheek, rough since his morning shave. It was, she thought, a sensory representation of his personality. An inseparable combination of stubborn and abrasive, playful and warm. She accepted it--accepted him--when she moved in, when they joined their bank accounts and executed living wills and health care proxies. When she fell in love with him, endeared to his unique set of qualities that could fill her with fury and affection.
A sudden cool rush of air vanquished her thoughts, her unasked questions, as Greg rolled away, his hand falling to the mattress. Alarm sent her heart into a wild frenzy. She groped behind her to find him in the darkness, and, when she reached his upturned hand, she held it tightly. His fingers wrapped around her hand and squeezed. Then, gently and wordlessly, she guided him back to her.
Title: Eden Sank To Grief
Author: shutterbug_12
Nominated by: queenzulu
Summary: A series of twelve episodes that chronicles House and Stacy's relationship.
Why does this fic belong in the Housefic Meta Library? In chronicling House and Stacy's relationship over five years, Eden Sank To Grief is a wonderful example of backstory. It's a series of vignettes that offers an honest appraisal of the relationship. It stays well away from sappy, sentimental territory; it doesn't back down from showing the fights, tension, and points of friction between two strong-willed people. There are happy moments, too, that show the deep and abiding connection between them. It's one of my favourite techniques for showing emotion: the demonstration of the extraordinary through the ordinary. What is mundane becomes all the more meaningful because it is the everyday. House and Stacy are well-characterized, with great dialogue, and their relationship is never shown as anything less than realistic.
Most importantly, however, is the way in which shutterbug_12 chooses to approach the story, from Stacy's point of view. Stacy has often been demonized for her choice in Three Stories, yet we must imagine that she had her reasons, and most likely those reasons focused on her love and anxiety for House. Eden Sank To Grief offers readers the opportunity to step into Stacy's experiences and emotions for five years, all of which culminate in the heart-wrenching final section as she deals with her own fears during House's treatment after the infarction. shutterbug_12 expands the small moments of their relationship to show exactly why and how Stacy came to make the decision she does, sympathetically and with a great ability to draw the reader in to empathizing with her.
Over the course of the twelve episodes, I noticed a marked improvement in writing style and technique. Early chapters are more likely to lack description, although dialogue is consistently strong throughout. Later chapters become more rich in language use, voice, and subsequently, in emotion. Too, as in any relationship, the issues House and Stacy face as the chapters progress become more intense, and so, although the chapters are not narratively connected, there is a slow build of both theme and tension. The reason I most believe this is a Hall of Fame story is because it shows the development of the craft of writing. shutterbug_12 has grown as a writer over the course of exploring both pairing and backstory, and I believe that is the most significant praise any story can receive.
Excerpt:
Stacy blinked rapidly to trap the tears that stung her eyes, but felt herself bending to his silent plea for forgiveness. She wanted to speak, tell him that they were all right, that she was glad he was there now. She tried to dislodge the scratchy lump in her throat and accidentally released a loud, strangled sob.
Another kiss, longer but no less gentle, fell in the same place as the first. She still felt the warm press of his mouth when she heard his voice, low and barely audible; if he hadn't been so close, she never would have heard him.
"Stacy." He paused for a shallow breath. "Sweetheart."
A hot, burning ache burst outward from the center of her chest, forcing a hard hitch in her breath. Almost in response, Greg pressed his whole body to her, burying his face into the curve of her neck. She felt the gust of a shuddering breath on her skin, felt his chest heave against her back, and she wished that she had the energy to turn and wrap her limbs around him, kiss him anywhere her mouth would reach.
She felt the simultaneous brush of his eyelashes, soft and delicate, and his cheek, rough since his morning shave. It was, she thought, a sensory representation of his personality. An inseparable combination of stubborn and abrasive, playful and warm. She accepted it--accepted him--when she moved in, when they joined their bank accounts and executed living wills and health care proxies. When she fell in love with him, endeared to his unique set of qualities that could fill her with fury and affection.
A sudden cool rush of air vanquished her thoughts, her unasked questions, as Greg rolled away, his hand falling to the mattress. Alarm sent her heart into a wild frenzy. She groped behind her to find him in the darkness, and, when she reached his upturned hand, she held it tightly. His fingers wrapped around her hand and squeezed. Then, gently and wordlessly, she guided him back to her.