The Reading Room -- Fic: Long Shadows by NN West

[firlefanzine.livejournal.com]

OK! Second effort to start the Reading Room for this week! :-)

Title: Long Shadows
Author: NN West
Link to story: http://www.thecircuitarchive.com/tca/archive/6/longshadows.html
Permission to archive the rec/review at Palely Loitering: Yes

*…but their cover was lost, and Doyle was out of the running.*

We are thrown into the story.
We learn that we are in Africa, that Bodie and Doyle are there to save some unknown leader of an unknown part of the world that became - for what reason ever - interesting for Queen and Country. And Doyle is shot.

That’s all we get at the beginning and for me that’s perfect. No need for complicated preparations, for Cowley’s triple thinking, or for any involvement of politics.
I’m in Africa with Bodie and Doyle, it’s an adventure, Doyle is hurt, they trust each other and they do everything to save each other.
I can make comfortable in my chair, open the bottle of wine, - and see what will come…

And the rest of the story didn’t disappoint me. Not at all!

Bodie and Doyle are caught by the mercenaries and to Doyle’s big surprise the mercs don’t kill them. Instead they get food, shelter and medical care for Doyle. Giorgio, who seems to be an old friend of Bodie, even invites them to dinner.

The scene that follows is one of the best in the story I think.

*…he looked around, aware of some... quality... these men had in common with Bodie--something he instinctively feared and distrusted... and yet he could accept it in his partner. He wondered why. It had always been there in the background, but real, solid, a ruthless quality that made Bodie the agent he was. Just how deep did it go? Doyle wondered now. He had always assumed that there was a limit to his partner's ruthlessness, but watching him now, so much at home among these cold-eyed mercenaries, he found that certainty slipping away from him.
...fitting into the company as smoothly as though he had never been away.*

Up until now that’s an interesting view of mercenary life. Especially for Doyle! And he considers how Bodie fits into this world.

It’s all so different from Doyle’s own experiences - he sees the ruthlessness, but at the same time he wonders about the way he and Bodie are treated by the mercs.
I don’t know if there is some truth in it, but I could imagine that the mercs wouldn’t waste time to hate ‘the other side’. No enemies – just someone who stands in the way. No hate - they kill without a thought or let their prisoners live, it doesn’t matter. Or they take their ‘spoils of war’… And in this case it’s supposed to be Doyle.
Doyle doesn’t understand, but he feels the danger. And he sees that the anger of his partner is growing.
And I must say that Bodie’s manner of ‘saving Doyle’ is quite inventive!
Perhaps there could be a better way - but certainly not one where Bodie could combine business with pleasure so nicely!

The next morning Doyle has a bad infection, and he nearly dies on the way to hospital.

There is neither time nor opportunity to talk about the things that happened.

And back in London - there is business as usual! - till Ray discovers that Bodie is meeting the merc doctor.

Yes, I can say that I like it from start to finish!

**

There are two sequels. Among the Lilies by O Yardley:
http://www.thecircuitarchive.com/tca/archive/6/amongthe.html
And The Check by Jay Trent:
http://www.thecircuitarchive.com/tca/archive/4/thecheck.html 

Have fun!

.

Comments

[shooting2kill.livejournal.com]

Just how deep did it go? Doyle wondered now. He had always assumed that there was a limit to his partner's ruthlessness, but watching him now, so much at home among these cold-eyed mercenaries, he found that certainty slipping away from him.

I haven't quite finished reading the story yet but I just wanted to say that you've picked one of my favourite scenes because I love the way the writer draws out the ambiguities within Bodie (and which I feel *are* Bodie) and the fact that this particular scene manages to stress the uncertainties and confusion which Doyle experiences about the situation he finds himself in i.e. the 'mercenary' situation, and yet it doesn't seem to lessen the confidence or faith he has in his partner....on the contrary, it seems to stimulate his interest in Bodie.

Anyway, I'm really enjoying this story and I shall now go and finish it! Thanks for your choice.

[firlefanzine.livejournal.com]

Hey, I'm glad you like it!

And Doyle's faith in his partner is something that impressed me from the beginning!
Bodie has left him (for duty...) and nonetheless Doyle trusts him absolutely: "and let Cowley order or threaten as he would, Doyle knew that his fellow agent would move heaven and earth to get him out." He is so sure...
And somehow he is so sure that Bodie is just playing a role at the dinner party, that the Bodie HE knows is 'the real one'. You know what I mean? Doyle has absolutely no doubts that Bodie is honest when they are together.

[shooting2kill.livejournal.com]

And somehow he is so sure that Bodie is just playing a role at the dinner party, that the Bodie HE knows is 'the real one

Yeah.......I'm not sure - at this stage - if it's just about Doyle knowing that Bodie is simply playing out a role or if he's seeing a different side to Bodie: a part of his past, the missing pieces from Bodie's life which make up the entire Bodie ......

As they took their places at the table he looked around, aware of some... quality... these men had in common with Bodie--something he instinctively feared and distrusted... and yet he could accept it in his partner. He wondered why.

.....and yet, despite this, he still has complete faith in his partner which for me is one of the interesting things about the story because it's how *I* feel about Bodie. Yes, he's been a mercenary and yes, he's killed more people than he can count, but I feel that despite all of this in the end Bodie will come right. He knows the difference betweeen right and wrong and he knows that his feelings for Doyle and his friendship with Doyle are part of what is being 'right'.

[tango65.livejournal.com]

This is one of my favourites. As you said, I love being thrown in right from the start, without having a long drawn out background to the story. One of the best bits for me is:

"Doyle seemed to know he was there, and clung to his partner as to a lifeline, the pitiful shuddering much less violent when Bodie held him; after one brief attempt to share the driving with Sven, Bodie was forced to return to his place in the back of the jeep, his touch calming the violent threshing that weakened his already exhausted body."

Even when they are not quite together, the need to be together is overwhelming.

Awesome story and a great choice. Thanks.

[firlefanzine.livejournal.com]

I'm happy that it's not just me who loves it to be thrown right in the middle of a good story!
I wasn't sure!
And I can believe that the whole drama is terrible frightening for Doyle, I mean being in Africa, hurt to death, the heat, the pain - Bodie must be the only anchor for Doyle.

But - you are new here? Welcome! ;-)

Thank you for commenting!

[tango65.livejournal.com]

Thanks! Great to be here.

[constant-muse.livejournal.com]

'one where Bodie could combine business with pleasure so nicely' - clever Bodie, coming up with a way to seduce Doyle in the name of business.

I have to say, my tongue is hanging out at this line:
'His tension increased as Bodie returned, carrying his folded clothes, a towel slung around his hips.'

I did enjoy the story a lot, but there were some questions, mainly, this thing about mercs fucking each other, is it a genre of fic or a reality? I don't see why there should be such a shortage of women, who they could seduce with a bit of bribery, or intimidate or whatever, into sex. But I am just being difficult.

Also we have again Doyle as sexually irresistable. But what does Giorgio actually see? Doyle can't walk, so Giorgio doesn't get the benefit of The Walk or the wiggling bum. Poor Doyle has been chasing around in the bush for days and then suffered a bad leg wound, he wouldn't be looking or feeling very sexy. It is a wonder he has as good a time as he does in bed with Bodie, but that is before the infection takes hold.

I do love the closing scene. The description of Bodie's silhouette in the window is very delicate.

oops, late, work tomorrow.

[firlefanzine.livejournal.com]

"...but there were some questions, mainly, this thing about mercs fucking each other, is it a genre of fic or a reality?"
Damn good question! Well, there is this merc in my village... French Foreign Legion... but I'm afraid I'm too afraid to ask... he looks so frightening... :-)

"But I am just being difficult.
LOL! I don't think so! I really would like to know it! I could imagine it's there but not 'as usual' as we're told in some stories. But who knows...

"Also we have again Doyle as sexually irresistable......Giorgio doesn't get the benefit of The Walk or the wiggling bum... Poor Doyle... bad leg wound... he wouldn't be looking or feeling very sexy...."
Uh... Now 'you are just being difficult'! :-) Doyle not sexy? What a sacrilege to say here... :-)
I'm always happy when the author doesn't describe Doyle as beautiful, elf-like, or looking like something else terrible cissyish(?). So I can always live with 'sexy'. And maybe we all underestimate Giorgio and he has more romantic imagination than someone could expect from a merc... :-)

[shooting2kill.livejournal.com]

Combining a couple of comments:

Firlefanzine wrote:
So Bodie, being a perfectionist, is making real sex just to make sure? That it wasn't necessary? Some cuddling would have been enough?

I think I’m a bit lost here, but if by ‘real sex’ you mean full, penetrative sex then I don’t think Bodie and Doyle do have that. I’m not sure I understand the significance of the scene (or if it’s important, maybe it is) – what actually went on – and what you’re asking. I thought I understood Giorgio's reference to Doyle ‘getting laid’ by Bodie as meaning full, penetrative sex, but as you asked in a previous comment, why *does* he ask that? From a voyeuristic point of view? Trying to imagine Doyle because he hasn’t yet had him? And why *would* he ask that if he’d watched them because he’d know the answer. Presumably Bodie went ahead with what he did on the assumption that someone was watching but apparently Giorgio wasn’t, so I don’t understand the scene either!


"But has he left it all behind?".........

I think so! Well, I've never been something like a merc... :-) but there are worlds between me 'now' and me in former jobs, in school, at university, with different men... People change.

Yup, people can change, of course, but sometimes they don’t, and sometimes they don’t change completely, so Doyle can’t be blamed for wondering if there is a little bit of the merc left in Bodie. And I feel Bodie would be every bit as brutal as his ex-comrades if it came to defending the honour of a sick Doyle, so, in that sense at least, I feel that some of the old Bodie might still exist.

Jaycat wrote:
I did enjoy the story a lot, but there were some questions, mainly, this thing about mercs fucking each other, is it a genre of fic or a reality? I don't see why there should be such a shortage of women, who they could seduce with a bit of bribery, or intimidate or whatever, into sex. But I am just being difficult.

I wonder if this arose from situations where there was an absolute shortage of the opposite sex - and I’m thinking of places like prisons, the French Foreign Legion, the merchant navy, the armed forces etc. – where men might have turned to each other for sex, I suppose if that happened then the idea of mercs fucking each other is fairly realistic (unless there were camp followers...?)

[firlefanzine.livejournal.com]

"I think I’m a bit lost here, but if by ‘real sex’ you mean full, penetrative sex then I don’t think Bodie and Doyle do have that.
Both had a climax. And I'm just wondering if some pretending, some cuddling wouldn't be enough to convince Giorgio. But of course that wouldn't be 'our Bodie'... And I like this version of a 'first time' so I don't complain! :-)

How realistic is the description of the life of the mercs? - it sounds plausible for me to turn to each other for sex - but maybe there is a strong ostracism(?) aginst something like that. Lost of honour etc., etc... I really have no idea.

[constant-muse.livejournal.com]

Joining in the discussion about the sex scene, I was a bit confused too. Giorgio doesn't come to check on them until they're fast asleep, in each other's arms, I think pretending to have taken sleeping pills from Sven (so there is an explanation for why they don't wake up when Giorgio comes in, they just lie there looking convincingly like lovers). But why did they have to have sex at all, earlier, when Giorgio wasn't there to see? Maybe they thought he might come in at any time so they had to make it look convincing. But I prefer Bodie just taking advantage of the situation.
[Actually, I've just seen that siskiou has explained the same thing better.]

You really must summon up the courage to have a chat with your French Foreign Legion neighbour, all in the name of research!

RE mercs and homosexuality, I think 'camp followers' is what I'm getting at, and also females from surrounding area, who might think the mercs were a bit glamorous, giving them presents they couldn't get at home, etc.
And even if the mercs turned to each other when there were no women around, that wouldn't explain the 'exclusive' type of relationship that features in this fic.

[moth2fic.livejournal.com]

I enjoyed this! Not so much for the detailed story which I think has several weaknesses that other people have already pointed out, but for the writing. It is beautifully written and so competently structured; the occasional allusions to actual shadows reflect the overall theme of the shadows our pasts cast over us and the overall plot moves in such a satisfying way from certainty of death through possibilities of life then through possible death and back to possibilities of a future together. I thought that was extremely well done in such a short story so I forgave the possible exaggerations about mercenary life and Doyle's beauty (!). The sex was left largely to the reader's imagination, which always pleases me because once the idea has been set up I get more from my imagination than from too much explicit description. I liked the 'different' take on the 'aliens made us do it' plot device so common to so many fandoms. I liked the ending, with the decision to go ahead despite doubts, which again, reflects the decision to go along with whatever Bodie said or did at the camp despite doubts, and the total lack of doubt about their friendship and trust. I don't think it needs a sequel, but thanks for the two recs!

[firlefanzine.livejournal.com]

You're right! I also think that the story is beautifully written - plus I don't see that there are too big holes in it. For example - I can't remember a passage where Doyle's beauty is mentioned. Giorgio wants him. But we only know that because Doyle feels uncomfortable in his presence. Giorgio doesn't court Doyle with silly compliments, just a short "Doyle stays here.".

I agree with the end and the sequel! The end gives us something to think and hope. The story is good the way it is! No need for a sequel!

But of course I had to mention it!

Thank you!

[moth2fic.livejournal.com]

Well of course I had to go and read them... I liked the Among the Lilies one but was less impressed with The Check (not very good characterisation of Cowley, I thought) but as I said, I liked being left to imagine my own 'sequel'!!

[shooting2kill.livejournal.com]

The sex was left largely to the reader's imagination, which always pleases me because once the idea has been set up I get more from my imagination than from too much explicit description.

I completely agree with this and thought the same when I'd finished the story. In fact I find myself feeling that way more and more about a lot of fiction, that often the hint of sex in the air, or the promise of sex is enough and is more satisfying than many full-on sex scenes.

[siskiou.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the rec!
I'd read this before, but it was no hardship to do so again! :)

Apart from a few blips, I really like the story and irresistible Doyle has never bothered me, since I find him very intriguing myself. *g*

Despite the bewildering situation, Doyle's trust in Bodie is so complete that he goes along with everything Bodie thinks is needed to make it out alive.
What bothered me just a little is the "mercs are all doing it with each other" thing and the part where Giorgio and the merc doctor are talking over the supposedly asleep Bodie and Doyle. This conversation felt very unnatural and more a vehicle to explain everything to us readers.

Regarding the sex scene, I didn't get the impression that Bodie did more than bring off Doyle and himself, so there would be evidence they had both climaxed, if Giorgio decided to check (which he did), and that's what really convinced him that Bodie and Doyle were together.
Since it was dark and cold in the room, anything watched through a window could have just been pretense under the blanket, so Bodie made sure there could be no mistake.

[firlefanzine.livejournal.com]

"What bothered me just a little is the "mercs are all doing it with each other" thing..."
I really wonder! I mean that so many people here are bothered about that - for it seems to be fanon that of course Bodie has some experiences with men because he was a merc.
Is it too 'real', or too 'drastic' in this story?

And your 'bring off' theory is very convincing! :-)

I'm happy that you like it!
Thanks for commenting!

[constant-muse.livejournal.com]

I just wanted to add, as I should have yesterday, one of the finer points of the plot to me is that Bodie comes back for Doyle (as I understand it), when he could have gone off in the helicopter. That would have been a terrible thing to do, of course, but in letting the helicopter fly off, and coming back to the wounded Doyle, Bodie puts his own life at risk for just the possibility that he can save Doyle and himself. That act alone must persuade Doyle (if he didn't know before) how strong the bond between them is.

[firlefanzine.livejournal.com]

Absolutely! That's what got me from the beginning. Doyle was so sure that Bodie would find a way to get him out there!

[siskiou.livejournal.com]

Yes, Iiked that, too! And the other side of the coin, with Doyle sending Bodie off, wanting him safe, even if it means he has to be left behind to die!

[jgraeme2007.livejournal.com]

Entertaining choice. I think it's competently written. Is the author American? Something gave me that impression, though I can't put my finger on it. Nothing jarring, just...that Not British feel.

I don't think it's remotely realistic -- nor does it need to be. It strikes me as classic Pros stories of a certain era. The kind of thing that there was a lot of at one time and now seem rarer than ties in Doyle's closet. It's a nice length and it offers the "plausible" explanation for getting Bodie and Doyle to have sex and then discover they like it. It's reasonably long and sufficiently complex.

The mercenary camp reminded me of Labyrinth with seemingly everyone's mind on sex all the time -- and particularly sex with Doyle. This is one of the weaknesses I see in Pros fic -- really, original m/m fiction as well -- no character ever seems to think much about anything beyond sex and relationship.

I really like the exploration of Bodie's mercenary past -- and seeing that through Doyle's eyes. I also really like that the author didn't insist on what would have been a scene of highly unlikely anal sex just to have it in there. Er, the story, I mean.

I did snort a bit at the notion of the impossibly irristible Doyle -- CI5's own Helen of Troy -- but it's all in the spirit of fun. And he IS a gorgeous bloke (and he does suffer beautifully).

I really liked the final scene -- and the final image of a solitary Bodie gazing out his window.

Fun choice!

[firlefanzine.livejournal.com]

"...one of the weaknesses I see in Pros fic -- really, original m/m fiction as well -- no character ever seems to think much about anything beyond sex and relationship."
For me that is one of the strengths in Pros fic - ahem in slash Pros fic... :-)
Although I theoretically prefer gen/het I see that 'those' authors have the problem to a)construct a complicated plot and/or b)invent good female characters. And my focus IS on Bodie and Doyle - so I prefer Bodie/Doyle 'sex and relationship stories' to case stories and women I'm not interested in...

But maybe that's also a women thing?

And I'm glad you found it entertaining!
It's actually a story I read quite often, and you mentioned some of the reasons.

But to be true I really can't remember that Doyle is described as beautiful or irristible - maybe I should pay not all my attention on Bodie...

[vamp2911.livejournal.com]

I like this story. The trust between the characters is spot on, Doyle and Bodie know that the other has got his back (no pun intended). The only aspect that bothers me a little is that Doyle can come over as submissive in the relationship. I know that physically he is smaller than Bodie but in character and temper, I would class him as the dominant force. Given Doyle experience as an undercover operative, I feel that he would have been able to "act" intimate with Bodie without actual sex taking place. Similarly, I can't see Bodie taking advantage of the situation and using a clearly ill Doyle to get what he wants. That said, the sex does add to the story!!!!

[jgraeme2007.livejournal.com]

I like this story. The trust between the characters is spot on, Doyle and Bodie know that the other has got his back (no pun intended). The only aspect that bothers me a little is that Doyle can come over as submissive in the relationship.

I think he's acting -- Bodie has cued him to what the expected behavior will be, and he's curbing his normal reactions. Doyle are Bodie are, in effect, undercover in the merc camp.

I know that physically he is smaller than Bodie but in character and temper, I would class him as the dominant force.

I don't know about dominant force. I think they're pretty evenly matched -- I think that's part of the power of this character dynamic.

Given Doyle experience as an undercover operative, I feel that he would have been able to "act" intimate with Bodie without actual sex taking place. Similarly, I can't see Bodie taking advantage of the situation and using a clearly ill Doyle to get what he wants. That said, the sex does add to the story!!!!

I think the fact that Giorgio or whatever his name is lifts the blankets indicates he needs physical proof -- scent and semen -- to believe it. I don't think Bodie takes much advantage there. They've basically jacked off. It's not like Bodie tried for anal sex which would certainly be hard on poor Doyle for a number of reasons.

[firlefanzine.livejournal.com]

"that bothers me a little is that Doyle can come over as submissive in the relationship.
I don't see it this way!
There ARE stories where Doyle is feminized(I hate that!), but in this case I think it shows his strengths that he knows when to back off without trying to prove his masculinity. It is a fact that Bodie is the expert at the moment - so why fight for dominance?
Bodie has told him that he should trust him - and he does! :-)

And I've read it again, and I like the sex scene the way it is! I think it's very believable - considering the situation. And I agree that Bodie would have probably given a lot to make their first time 'different'...

Thank you for commenting! :-)