Hi! I'm kinda new here myself and before I say anything about the story I'll warn you I'm not very smart, so take my opinion with the pillar of salt it deserves.
I remember reading this story for the first time (o long years ago) and, when I was part of the way through the Iolokus I, sending a long email to the friend who'd pressed it on me that was basically a very long-winded "why the HELL did you tell me to read this?". Her answer was simply "Keep going", IIRC. I did, and I was, and still am :), so glad. It's an amazing story, but it's not an easy one.
I still have big problems with the characterization in parts. There are parts of the story that work for me and others that really don't. Some things make me cringe, some make me flinch.
I think what makes it a good story for me (and bear in mind, plenty of people really dislike Iolokus, so don't feel like you're the only one not appreciating this high-and-mighty fandom classic, or anything) is that it *is* a struggle in places. It's huge and kind of messy and it has jagged points. It's bleak and upsetting and almost hopeless (something I find very hard to forgive in any story), but when it turns around, oh my, it'll shine the sun straight into the pieces of your heart it just broke, and you'll be begging for more.
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winterfish
no subject
Date: 2009-10-27 11:29 am (UTC)I remember reading this story for the first time (o long years ago) and, when I was part of the way through the Iolokus I, sending a long email to the friend who'd pressed it on me that was basically a very long-winded "why the HELL did you tell me to read this?". Her answer was simply "Keep going", IIRC. I did, and I was, and still am :), so glad. It's an amazing story, but it's not an easy one.
I still have big problems with the characterization in parts. There are parts of the story that work for me and others that really don't. Some things make me cringe, some make me flinch.
I think what makes it a good story for me (and bear in mind, plenty of people really dislike Iolokus, so don't feel like you're the only one not appreciating this high-and-mighty fandom classic, or anything) is that it *is* a struggle in places. It's huge and kind of messy and it has jagged points. It's bleak and upsetting and almost hopeless (something I find very hard to forgive in any story), but when it turns around, oh my, it'll shine the sun straight into the pieces of your heart it just broke, and you'll be begging for more.