wendelah1 (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
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xf_book_club2009-10-24 11:18 pm
wendelah1) wrote in xf_book_club2009-10-24 11:18 pm
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Story 95: "Iolokus" by Mustang Sally and RivkaT
A few days ago, someone was talking about fic and the phrase "most famous fic in our fandom" came up. I'm not sure what story she had in mind but surely "Iolokus" has to be a contender for that title. I have seen it nominated by many people for the best fan fiction novel, not just in our own, but in any fandom. I have also seen people say they couldn't finish it because Mulder and Scully were too "out of character."
The misspelled monster that started it all. Although I'm told it promotes heteronormativity in the end, we were more going for polymorphic perversity; you'll have to judge for yourself.
Summary: Painted across the barren and desolate reaches of Texas, the shadows of the Project put additional pressure on Scully and Mulder's already fragile relationship. After a hostage crisis raises more questions about the Project's breeding program, Scully begins her own investigation, leaving Mulder to choose between saving her and saving himself. Finally, the investigation leads to tragedy and Mulder and Scully find that more questions have been asked than answered.
The title reference was to an island mentioned in Medea, to which we turned for fairly obvious reasons.
Warnings: extreme violence, including the death of children.
There are four long sections to this behemoth. My first time through this fic I hadn't much knowledge of canon, so I am curious to see what I think of it now. Thank you to![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
sangria_lila for this excellent nomination. If there is enthusiasm to continue, I suppose we can forge through to the end or just quit with book one. It's your call.
Please leave feedback for the authors and then come back and let us know what you think. Nominations for next time are made here. Sincerivkat's site is down at the moment, the link is to the wonderful Fugues Fiction Archive. Of course, the story is also available at Gossamer.
Iolokus
Edit: Since Rivkat's site is back up, here is another link to the story: Iolokus.
The misspelled monster that started it all. Although I'm told it promotes heteronormativity in the end, we were more going for polymorphic perversity; you'll have to judge for yourself.
Summary: Painted across the barren and desolate reaches of Texas, the shadows of the Project put additional pressure on Scully and Mulder's already fragile relationship. After a hostage crisis raises more questions about the Project's breeding program, Scully begins her own investigation, leaving Mulder to choose between saving her and saving himself. Finally, the investigation leads to tragedy and Mulder and Scully find that more questions have been asked than answered.
The title reference was to an island mentioned in Medea, to which we turned for fairly obvious reasons.
Warnings: extreme violence, including the death of children.
There are four long sections to this behemoth. My first time through this fic I hadn't much knowledge of canon, so I am curious to see what I think of it now. Thank you to
sangria_lila for this excellent nomination. If there is enthusiasm to continue, I suppose we can forge through to the end or just quit with book one. It's your call.Please leave feedback for the authors and then come back and let us know what you think. Nominations for next time are made here. Since
rivkat's site is down at the moment, the link is to the wonderful Fugues Fiction Archive. Of course, the story is also available at Gossamer.Iolokus
Edit: Since Rivkat's site is back up, here is another link to the story: Iolokus.
no subject
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.
no subject
This calls for another proposal *laugh*
Kate, in order for this to be a little easier for you to digest, you have to imagine that the Mulder and Scully in Iolokus are the Mulder and Scully that haven't gone through the "Erase and Rewind" process of the TV episodes. These are the Mulder and Scully carrying with them a huge ledger of 4 years of various traumas. All the deaths, shocks, violence, illnesses, hurt and fear they ever encountered left their marks. As a result these Mulder and Scully are pretty traumatized and not quite sane.
These are Mulder and Scully without the 1013 fabric softener.
But the great thing about this story, is that if you stick with it, as infinitlight so nicely put it, you'll be rewarded ten folds. This story does have a heart, a big bruised one, and there is lots of heartwrenching love in it. You may not find any huge gushing display of affection in there but you will find little kernels of subtle poise and beauty. A look, a move, or a few words that will make your heart melt completely.