I've mixed feelings about this story. I loved the setting and didn't mind the stock background characters because, as someone else mentioned, I basically read these fics for the central relationship. So...I excuse or ignore in a fic what I would rate harshly in a novel or short story. It's a different art form entirely.
The suddenly amorous doctor took me, like everyone else, aback -- in fairness I thought he was an otherwise well-drawn character.
The supernatural element needed to have been foreshadowed, no ifs ands or buts. Subtly. Because without the foreshadowing it came out of left field, and instead of resonating, resulted in a huh? moment.
The writing, as usual, is beautiful, but the lyrical gymnastics occasionally get in the way -- it's a sort of flexing of writing muscles performed (and this will sound unkind) for the mirror. Or other writers. Less is more in effective writing -- of course that's strictly my own opinion. Some people just prefer more and more.
From my perspective she's still having problems with structure and dramatic arc, but she's getting better, and where she's good, she's very good and (for me) makes up for any weaknesses. And she ended cleanly this time.
All that said, I really liked this -- it genuinely moved me, which is strange because it's chock-full of all kinds of things that drive me nuts: weeping, fainting Doyle for starters. Her vision of the lads is so...off-kilter at times that it almost feels AU to me. Yet...I buy it. I bought it in All These Years as well. Or maybe it's because, although these characters are not the Doyle and Bodie I know, they are vivid and appealing enough in their own right to draw me along.
I have to admit she certainly gives adequate reasons for fainting, weeping and nosebleeds -- not to mention suicide and nervous breakdowns.
I was disconcerted by the amount of anguish and damage she heaped on them -- and the thing with the kid sickened me. Not a comfortable or pleasant read, which is not a bad thing necessarily.
The idea that Bodie would abandon Doyle was painful in the extreme, but I thought both times she created believable circumstances for it. The betrayals angered me, but felt believable.
Maybe I was in the mood for soap opera? I don't know. This caught me.
no subject
The suddenly amorous doctor took me, like everyone else, aback -- in fairness I thought he was an otherwise well-drawn character.
The supernatural element needed to have been foreshadowed, no ifs ands or buts. Subtly. Because without the foreshadowing it came out of left field, and instead of resonating, resulted in a huh? moment.
The writing, as usual, is beautiful, but the lyrical gymnastics occasionally get in the way -- it's a sort of flexing of writing muscles performed (and this will sound unkind) for the mirror. Or other writers. Less is more in effective writing -- of course that's strictly my own opinion. Some people just prefer more and more.
From my perspective she's still having problems with structure and dramatic arc, but she's getting better, and where she's good, she's very good and (for me) makes up for any weaknesses. And she ended cleanly this time.
All that said, I really liked this -- it genuinely moved me, which is strange because it's chock-full of all kinds of things that drive me nuts: weeping, fainting Doyle for starters. Her vision of the lads is so...off-kilter at times that it almost feels AU to me. Yet...I buy it. I bought it in All These Years as well. Or maybe it's because, although these characters are not the Doyle and Bodie I know, they are vivid and appealing enough in their own right to draw me along.
I have to admit she certainly gives adequate reasons for fainting, weeping and nosebleeds -- not to mention suicide and nervous breakdowns.
I was disconcerted by the amount of anguish and damage she heaped on them -- and the thing with the kid sickened me. Not a comfortable or pleasant read, which is not a bad thing necessarily.
The idea that Bodie would abandon Doyle was painful in the extreme, but I thought both times she created believable circumstances for it. The betrayals angered me, but felt believable.
Maybe I was in the mood for soap opera? I don't know. This caught me.