Heh, I've only read the story once, but I'll agree with you here. (Though I should add I think I've only read a couple of prufrock's other stories, and I'm a bit leery about reading more, though I'm not entirely sure why... I hear mixed things, I guess. I need to really want to read something if it's long, given how little fic-reading time I have these days
( ... )
In this case, I think it does so most clearly by highlighting his balance of extreme cynicism and extreme hope, in spite of all circumstances and ridiculous odds.
In this story, she captures Mulder's voice as well as anyone who has ever written in this fandom. I don't see this story as an AU in the same way that her historicals are, just because the characters are so clearly (to me) our Mulder and Scully.
Yes, I know what you mean. It's funny how there are these varying degrees of AU; the extreme stuff, like actual other timelines going on (none of which I don't think I've ever taken the time to read, that's too dissociated from canon for my taste), and then things like this, that veer off but are still so recognizable.
I've only read Negative Utopia by prufrock's love in the past (although that has the (dubious?) honor of being the first fanfiction story I ever read evar, and is partially responsible for the fact that I'm still keeping going with this weird little hobby, close to ten years later. But I digress).
I'd avoided p_l's stories mostly because I have a fanfic-reading friend who is hugely into MSR and praised the MSR aspects so highly she kind of put me off. I don't dislike MSR per se but I'm not really much of a romantic, so I think stories that deal solely (or mostly) with the relationship have to be something pretty special in order to suck me in.
All that said, I just read the first part of The 13th Sign and really enjoyed it. I like the way p_l emphasizes their communication problems--I think too often fanfic writers make M & S too "close" and understanding of each other (if that makes any sense).
I really liked this exchange:
"The Church of the 13th Sign is led by a man named Michael Lee Milton. He
( ... )
I think this is an MSR story for noromos. I am not fond of Romance at all, yet I adore this story. I hope you enjoy the rest of the fic as much as Part 1.
i'm certainly going to read at least the first part, because i loved Negative Utopia, and found Paracelsus interesting, and because you've all been saying such good things about this fic. but has anyone else read the teaser line and thought it sounded like the epitome of shipper fic?
He saw no reason for life, death, sex, Armageddon, or emotional dysfunction to stand in the way of true love.
hee! i'm hoping it's misleading. a teaser line that uses the words 'true love' is usually a way to get me to never read that fic ever.
It does not read like conventional shipper fic to me and I think the tag line is in Mulder's voice, ie heavily laced with irony. Give it a go, see what you think.
If it wasn't so sad, would it be our characters, our show? The truth is this is a very sad show in most respects. The ending at least feels hopeful, more hopeful than the series ending, more hopeful than the ending to IWTB.
But you will not be alone in wanting a happier story. It's a natural thing when you love the characters the way we do. I have more to say but I have to leave for work.
Well, I have very good selective memory and I block out s8 and 9 and IWTB. I wouldn't mind sad if I thought that somehow it mattered in developing the characters, but too often I feel that the writers do angst for the sake of it.
When it comes to Scully having a baby, I just think anything less than a happy, healthy child with Mulder is just adding insult to injury. I want Scully to enjoy her life for once. God knows she deserves it.
When it comes to Scully having a baby, I just think anything less than a happy, healthy child with Mulder is just adding insult to injury. I want Scully to enjoy her life for once. God knows she deserves it.
I certainly felt that way about season nine and IWTB. I was especially appalled at what TPTB did to Scully in regards to William. This story does nothing to mitigate any of the things that happened to Scully during the course of the series, I'm afraid. It's hard to write about happiness, because of the lack of conflict. Laurie Colwin could do it, but even she resorted to killing off her characters and having them commit adultery upon occasion to stir things up.
This will not be your favorite story. I'd love for you to suggest something for us to read.
I guess I'll reread this giant--my mantra is read twice, talk once--but I will go on record as saying that I have a big Prufrock's Love problem. It's the angst thing, I suppose. Yet every damn time I read her I remember how extremely good she is, and that prejudice is an ugly thing.
Certain of her works I will never read again, or rec. The Wasteland: my GOD. But I recall that I thought highly of The Thirteenth Sign, and so far I'm agreeing with myself. Also Negative Utopia; one of the great ones.
More at a later time, I hope. I must go and check something else Wendelah is making me read.
I think I got more upset by "The Golden Year" than any of her other stories. She really goes in for the Mulder-angst coupled with Scully-torture in that one, which, for me, is the most problematic aspect of her stories. Unlike some writers who try to make up for what was done to Scully by empowering her, prufrock always takes as much away as she gives, every single damn time. This fits in with the series canon pretty well but does give me pause. It bothers me that I respond to her stories as I do, and it bothers me that others do as well. I'm glad the angst level in her fic troubles you and sangria_lila. Anyway, there is plenty to love in this story and plenty to be disturbed by, as well. I'm going to print out the first section and start on it.
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In this story, she captures Mulder's voice as well as anyone who has ever written in this fandom. I don't see this story as an AU in the same way that her historicals are, just because the characters are so clearly (to me) our Mulder and Scully.
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I'd avoided p_l's stories mostly because I have a fanfic-reading friend who is hugely into MSR and praised the MSR aspects so highly she kind of put me off. I don't dislike MSR per se but I'm not really much of a romantic, so I think stories that deal solely (or mostly) with the relationship have to be something pretty special in order to suck me in.
All that said, I just read the first part of The 13th Sign and really enjoyed it. I like the way p_l emphasizes their communication problems--I think too often fanfic writers make M & S too "close" and understanding of each other (if that makes any sense).
I really liked this exchange:
"The Church of the 13th Sign is led by a man named Michael Lee Milton. He ( ... )
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He saw no reason for life, death, sex, Armageddon, or emotional dysfunction
to stand in the way of true love.
hee! i'm hoping it's misleading. a teaser line that uses the words 'true love' is usually a way to get me to never read that fic ever.
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But you will not be alone in wanting a happier story. It's a natural thing when you love the characters the way we do. I have more to say but I have to leave for work.
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When it comes to Scully having a baby, I just think anything less than a happy, healthy child with Mulder is just adding insult to injury. I want Scully to enjoy her life for once. God knows she deserves it.
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I certainly felt that way about season nine and IWTB. I was especially appalled at what TPTB did to Scully in regards to William. This story does nothing to mitigate any of the things that happened to Scully during the course of the series, I'm afraid. It's hard to write about happiness, because of the lack of conflict. Laurie Colwin could do it, but even she resorted to killing off her characters and having them commit adultery upon occasion to stir things up.
This will not be your favorite story. I'd love for you to suggest something for us to read.
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Certain of her works I will never read again, or rec. The Wasteland: my GOD. But I recall that I thought highly of The Thirteenth Sign, and so far I'm agreeing with myself. Also Negative Utopia; one of the great ones.
More at a later time, I hope. I must go and check something else Wendelah is making me read.
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