![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
metabolick.livejournal.com posting in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
ci5hqTitle: Floral Arrangement
Author: M Fae Glasgow
Pairing: B/D, D/M
Further story information found at![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-community.gif)
prosficspoilers
Links: Proslib long stories .pdf
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/proslib/files/Long%20Stories/PDF/
Zine: "What If?" by Manacles Press (1992)
My rec of this story was spurred by last month’s Reading Room discussion of From Here To Eternity.
… some were speculating about how the lads would act if the situation was reversed, i.e. if it was Bodie who was dead and haunting Doyle. I had just read Floral Arrangement, so I thought it would be a good story to rec in its own right as an example of that scenario.
The title is cleverly based on the fact that the story is, as the author states, “happily plagiarized from the Brazilian film Doña Flor and Her Two Husbands.”
I don’t call this type of story a death fic because no character dies during the story. I call it a “post-death” fic. Bodie is dead from the start, and we soon find this out. It’s 5 years after Bodie died and only now is Doyle ready to take the final step to move on completely, giving himself a distinct moment to mark as the time when he finally relinquished Bodie to the past.
I’m only a couple of pages in, but I’m not liking this. The description of D at B’s funeral, having to hide the fact that they were lovers, feeling like a liar and a cheat and a betrayer, holding all the feelings inside… is so sad. I’m tearing up. So I skip to the end to see if this story is worth reading. I’m glad I do because --
-- it’s just about now that B shows up. And it’s our Bodie – charming, funny, loving, irreverent, playful – and naked. Only he’s a ghost! Poor D doesn’t know what to think! Did Murphy spike his drink with a drug? Is he going insane? I love how D tries to keep it together while B explains how it is that he’s come back, albeit a bit late.
B’s idea of heaven is to be with D wherever he is – awwwwww. So sweet! He is so earnest and loving. He is “immolated” by D’s momentary rejection. Though who can blame D for being skittish? It’s just overwhelming for him. Plus, he’s creeped out by the idea of having sex with a spirit. To give him credit, he doesn’t want to hurt B either. He still loves B.
Enter Murphy into the picture; we find out that D and M have been lovers for a while. We come to the crux of the problem – D’s dilemma. It’s been 5 years since B died. D has moved on and made a new life for himself. He loves M, who has been nothing short of wonderful to D. He owes M so much, including his life. But B wants to resume their former affair. What should he do?
Now, here’s the thing. I am definitely a B/D OTP kind of gal. Normally I won’t touch any other pairing with a barge pole. I can’t stand the thought of either of our lads with someone else. I didn’t say I like this story. But I find it memorable for many reasons.
D must make a decision, which in the end is to “have my cake and eat it too.” I’m immediately reminded of another story with a similar theme, and in which the exact same words are spoken – Forever True by Elizabeth Holden. I have nothing but contempt for the D of that story. Not so here. I understand that he is indeed, as he states, “between a rock and a hard place.” I feel very sorry for him.
B’s predicament is quite sad, but it’s of his own doing because of his impatience. He could have waited about 50 years until D joined him in the afterlife, but he didn’t want to wait. In the previous discussion about From Here To Eternity it was D who was impatient, and someone even speculated that if the tables were turned B would have waited for D. In this story he doesn’t. B knows the only way he can have D is to share him. He knows that D needs a living person in his life to lean on, someone who could lend a hand with all the day-to-day difficulties of living. It’s proof of B’s love for D that he agrees to share.
And how about poor M, an innocent in all of this, and, in fact, a very admirable character? He doesn’t believe that B has come back as a ghost, but he’s willing to go along with whatever D chooses to believe because he loves D. I think before long he will have to face up to the fact that B is really there, though. Just think about the logistics of having a threesome every time they go to bed, not to mention the little things B does to make his presence known (causing objects to move, for example)!
I have sympathy for all 3 characters. Will they be able to live out their lives in a happy ménage-a-trois? B’s predilection for comparing his abilities as a lover with M’s are a somewhat disturbing portent to me. I fear for D’s sanity in trying to keep two lovers satisfied.
Finally, I must mention the scene of the meeting in C’s office. I don’t think I’ll soon forget the mental image of a gleeful, naked, naughty B plastered against the window and D’s horrified attempts to ignore him! C’s fleeting glimpse of something, proving that Scots are indeed fey, is a nice comic touch.
I don’t always like where M Fae takes our lads, but I think she’s a wonderful writer. I love her use of the language in making a scene come alive
Doyle noted that Bodie was blurring round the edges, the sunlight no longer gleaming on his hair, his extremities dissolving into pallid smoke.),
her playfulness
Doyle took a gulp of whisky, closing his eyes as the spirit went down—and almost choking on his own hysteria. Now was not the time to be thinking of spirits doing anything at all, let alone going down, which had been one of Bodie’s special talents.,
her hot sex scenes. I still won’t be going out of my way to read anything other than B/D stories, but I don’t think my psyche will be harmed by an occasional one that provokes thought like this one does.
Author: M Fae Glasgow
Pairing: B/D, D/M
Further story information found at
prosficspoilersLinks: Proslib long stories .pdf
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/proslib/files/Long%20Stories/PDF/
Zine: "What If?" by Manacles Press (1992)
My rec of this story was spurred by last month’s Reading Room discussion of From Here To Eternity.
… some were speculating about how the lads would act if the situation was reversed, i.e. if it was Bodie who was dead and haunting Doyle. I had just read Floral Arrangement, so I thought it would be a good story to rec in its own right as an example of that scenario.
The title is cleverly based on the fact that the story is, as the author states, “happily plagiarized from the Brazilian film Doña Flor and Her Two Husbands.”
I don’t call this type of story a death fic because no character dies during the story. I call it a “post-death” fic. Bodie is dead from the start, and we soon find this out. It’s 5 years after Bodie died and only now is Doyle ready to take the final step to move on completely, giving himself a distinct moment to mark as the time when he finally relinquished Bodie to the past.
I’m only a couple of pages in, but I’m not liking this. The description of D at B’s funeral, having to hide the fact that they were lovers, feeling like a liar and a cheat and a betrayer, holding all the feelings inside… is so sad. I’m tearing up. So I skip to the end to see if this story is worth reading. I’m glad I do because --
-- it’s just about now that B shows up. And it’s our Bodie – charming, funny, loving, irreverent, playful – and naked. Only he’s a ghost! Poor D doesn’t know what to think! Did Murphy spike his drink with a drug? Is he going insane? I love how D tries to keep it together while B explains how it is that he’s come back, albeit a bit late.
B’s idea of heaven is to be with D wherever he is – awwwwww. So sweet! He is so earnest and loving. He is “immolated” by D’s momentary rejection. Though who can blame D for being skittish? It’s just overwhelming for him. Plus, he’s creeped out by the idea of having sex with a spirit. To give him credit, he doesn’t want to hurt B either. He still loves B.
Enter Murphy into the picture; we find out that D and M have been lovers for a while. We come to the crux of the problem – D’s dilemma. It’s been 5 years since B died. D has moved on and made a new life for himself. He loves M, who has been nothing short of wonderful to D. He owes M so much, including his life. But B wants to resume their former affair. What should he do?
Now, here’s the thing. I am definitely a B/D OTP kind of gal. Normally I won’t touch any other pairing with a barge pole. I can’t stand the thought of either of our lads with someone else. I didn’t say I like this story. But I find it memorable for many reasons.
D must make a decision, which in the end is to “have my cake and eat it too.” I’m immediately reminded of another story with a similar theme, and in which the exact same words are spoken – Forever True by Elizabeth Holden. I have nothing but contempt for the D of that story. Not so here. I understand that he is indeed, as he states, “between a rock and a hard place.” I feel very sorry for him.
B’s predicament is quite sad, but it’s of his own doing because of his impatience. He could have waited about 50 years until D joined him in the afterlife, but he didn’t want to wait. In the previous discussion about From Here To Eternity it was D who was impatient, and someone even speculated that if the tables were turned B would have waited for D. In this story he doesn’t. B knows the only way he can have D is to share him. He knows that D needs a living person in his life to lean on, someone who could lend a hand with all the day-to-day difficulties of living. It’s proof of B’s love for D that he agrees to share.
And how about poor M, an innocent in all of this, and, in fact, a very admirable character? He doesn’t believe that B has come back as a ghost, but he’s willing to go along with whatever D chooses to believe because he loves D. I think before long he will have to face up to the fact that B is really there, though. Just think about the logistics of having a threesome every time they go to bed, not to mention the little things B does to make his presence known (causing objects to move, for example)!
I have sympathy for all 3 characters. Will they be able to live out their lives in a happy ménage-a-trois? B’s predilection for comparing his abilities as a lover with M’s are a somewhat disturbing portent to me. I fear for D’s sanity in trying to keep two lovers satisfied.
Finally, I must mention the scene of the meeting in C’s office. I don’t think I’ll soon forget the mental image of a gleeful, naked, naughty B plastered against the window and D’s horrified attempts to ignore him! C’s fleeting glimpse of something, proving that Scots are indeed fey, is a nice comic touch.
I don’t always like where M Fae takes our lads, but I think she’s a wonderful writer. I love her use of the language in making a scene come alive
Doyle noted that Bodie was blurring round the edges, the sunlight no longer gleaming on his hair, his extremities dissolving into pallid smoke.),
her playfulness
Doyle took a gulp of whisky, closing his eyes as the spirit went down—and almost choking on his own hysteria. Now was not the time to be thinking of spirits doing anything at all, let alone going down, which had been one of Bodie’s special talents.,
her hot sex scenes. I still won’t be going out of my way to read anything other than B/D stories, but I don’t think my psyche will be harmed by an occasional one that provokes thought like this one does.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2010-07-29 07:27 pm (UTC)It raises plenty of questions for me, I'd be interested to know what you think. Not being an afficionado of ghost stories I wonder if there's generic things I'm missing (LOL at Bodie returning to earth in Australia and being unable to cross water - but I wouldn't have known that piece of ghost lore if it hadn't been explained).
F'rinstance, is it coincidence that Bodie appears at the very moment Doyle has resolved to 'bury' him, or does Doyle somehow summon him then?
I agree with pretty well everything you've said, in fact. The ending seems like a happy resolution, but it can't last, can it? Murphy is bound to tire of sharing Doyle. Then he'll leave, and Doyle won't have to feel he betrayed M, but it would still be Doyle's responsibility. Still, D & M might have parted anyway, or M might be killed in action.
On a shallow note, I find it offputting that Bodie is now permanently naked. Bodie nekkid is of course an excellent concept - in its place. Like most characters, Bodie is defined to some extent by what he wears and how he wears it. In his case, the ever fascinating paradox of the man who has a great body he works hard to maintain, but seems averse to uncovering it in public. So a Bodie going about in his birthday suit, sans polo neck, leather jacket and flares, seems somehow incomplete and a bit weird.
no subject
Date: 2010-07-29 07:57 pm (UTC)Bodie would define himself in every outfit - even naked! He would be a very confident nudie!
I really think that M.Fae Glasgor hat immensely much fun writing this story.
That naked Bodie is probbaly the 'revenge of the writer for all his buttoned up mannor'. :-)
And look at Bodie stranded in Australia, forced to use a double-hulled oil tanker.
Or the fact that Cowley is Scot, and Murphy an Irishman and therefore they are able to see ghosts, including that hillarious window scene.
Yep! M.Fae Glasgow and me had very much fun with this story! ;-)
no subject
Date: 2010-07-29 08:24 pm (UTC)Maybe the latter is also a joke about 'fey' Doyle. But it seems more like Doyle can see Bodie's ghost so clearly because of their love.
no subject
Date: 2010-07-30 04:13 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-07-30 04:08 am (UTC)Murphy is said to be Irish only in his step-father's name, which is why he never does see Bodie. But Cowley's reaction to what he thinks he saw is spot on.
I'm glad you enjoyed this story!
no subject
Date: 2010-07-30 03:56 am (UTC)Likewise, I think that B's appearance just as D has resolved to "bury" him is a convenience for the plot - there's no indication that D somehow summons him.
I do fear for the future - mainly for D's sanity as he tries to juggle his relationship with B and M.
Interesting point about a permanently naked B being incongruous. I hadn't really thought about that. Again, I accept it as contributing to the comedy of the piece because of its ludicrousness.
no subject
Date: 2010-07-31 07:36 am (UTC)Just to say that it is commonly known lore that ghosts (and witches and other hobbledyhoys) can't cross water - that's often what saves a young hero in a ghost story! But it's only some ghostlore, cos otherwise you wouldn't have The Flying Dutchmen and other ghostships...
I've got to admit that I always thought it was Doyle's resolution to "bury" Bodie that brought him back properly - as if Bodie was content as long as Doyle was always thinking about him too, but that he couldn't rest when he thought Doyle was going to finally forget him...
I do like this story - will be back later!
no subject
Date: 2010-07-31 04:30 pm (UTC)I see absolutely no indication in the text that Doyle had anything to do with Bodie's coming back. What makes you think he does?
I look forward to your thoughts.
no subject
Date: 2010-07-29 07:40 pm (UTC)No, really! I can happily agree to most of your rec and I had much fun reading it! :-)
Like you I was deeply touched by the description of Bodie’s funeral. I think it’s heartbreaking beautiful how M.Fae Glasgow describes Doyle's grief. It’s so bittersweet, without ever changing to 'pathetic'.
Of course I knew what prosficspoiler 'spoiled', and I’ve read the end first. Otherwise I would NOT enjoy something like that!
I think it IS a death fic although nobody dies in this story. A serious meant workup of the death of Bodie or Doyle that happened before the story starts, wouldn’t change anything in the finality of the fact that one of them is gone. I would avoid that in any case!
This story, I would call a happy death fic. It’s not serious. It’s a comedy and a ghost story.
OK - if you look behind the funny surface it is a tragedy. As you pointed out there are so many problems waiting for the three of them, and not just Bodie has in fact really lost his life and love, and everything now has to be a compromise.
But nonetheless it is very funny written and somehow you trust them to make the best of it, no matter what!
Not to forget the aspect of absurdity!
Yes! I really could enjoy this fic without questioning reality, future, probability or other clever restrictions.
Yes! I love this fic!
Thank you for this rec!
no subject
Date: 2010-07-30 04:26 am (UTC)I do see your point about calling this a death fic but I call it a "post-death fic" to be a bit more specific. If I go into a story knowing that one of the partners is already dead then it doesn't have quite the shock value for me that reading of the death itself would have. But that's probably splitting hairs.
Very well said about this being a comedy with tragic undertones.
no subject
Date: 2010-07-30 06:42 am (UTC)*grins*
I could think of at least 4 reasons not to like that story, OK 5, if you count that you two don't like the Bodie 'dressing' as well:
1. A ghost story - but this one is a funny ghost story
2. A death fic - but without finality and it's a funny death story
3. Not OTP - I'm still chewing on that...
4. A M.Fae Glasgow story - you must be prepared to love or hate it - but there is a big chance that you love it!
5. Bodie is naked all the time - but there is a naked Bodie all the time! :-)
no subject
Date: 2010-07-30 04:39 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-07-30 06:16 pm (UTC)Two unusual fantastic stories for my top ten list found in just one week!
no subject
Date: 2010-07-30 09:53 pm (UTC)Hopefully a few more brave souls will try "Floral Arrangement" and join in here. I know some are away in Windsor this weekend to see "The Country Girl," the lucky sods. I've enjoyed seeing it from your and jaycat's perspectives.
Wow! It is remarkable that you found 2 stories for your top ten list this week! I am drawn to stories with unusual premises, too.
no subject
Date: 2010-07-31 10:37 am (UTC)What If? cover explains Bodie's lack of clothing?
Date: 2010-07-31 05:51 pm (UTC)Re: What If? cover explains Bodie's lack of clothing?
Date: 2010-07-31 06:11 pm (UTC)Summary: What If a great artist (Suzan Lovett) drew a beautiful color cover... And What If some great authors (Sebastian, Ellis Ward, Courtney Gray, M. Fae Glasgow, Jane and Kathy Keegan) were inspired to write stories based on it... What If we collected them in a zine called... What If?" (Publisher's ad from Media Monitor - 1996)
Thank you so much for that enlightening piece of information!
no subject
Date: 2010-08-08 08:58 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-08-08 09:15 pm (UTC)