Story 106: "Kevin," by Justin Glasser

[counterphobe.livejournal.com]

You'll remember Kevin as the boy with the stigmata from "Revelations." Scully takes on the role of his protector. She seems touched, even changed, by what she experiences, but the episode ends and he's forgotten.

Justin Glasser's story takes place three years after "Revelations." Scully has kept in touch with Kevin, at least sporadically, and now she gets an urgent call from him for help.

It's a casefile with an unusually good portrayal of Scully as a thinker and a believer. At twelve short chapters it's a brisk read.

http://www.reocities.com/Paris/Lights/7752/kevin1.html

For the final chapter, go here:

http://web.archive.org/web/20050112214843/http://www.geocities.com/Paris/Lights/7752/kevin12.html

Comments

[(Anonymous)]

Thanks so much for posting this! I've been away for awhile, but it was great to come back and see a story up by an author I had never read. The writing was strong and the story was interesting both plot-wise and as a character study. It's true that there aren't many stories dealing with Scully's faith, which is disappointing because it's an area rife with potential for insight, interpretation and depth of character. It's interesting that the strongest foundations of her character, faith and science, are so contradictory in nature, and it's rewarding when an author really explores them.

As soon as I was done with Kevin, I went to read his other stories... particularly enjoyed Lonely Nightmare and Certitude.. where has this author been all my life?? :)

-Kate

[wendelah1]

where has this author been all my life?? :)

I have some idea of why he isn't read and recced more: (1.) in the XF fandom, he wrote gen and fandom is obsessed with pairings and sex (2.) his prose style is not currently en vogue. Don't get me wrong, he's a fine stylist, but his stories are not full of the extraneous imagery and meaningless metaphors that currently pass for "poetic" in fanfiction. Personally, I think that style is overdone and tedious to read, not to mention usually plot-free. There are some writers who do it very well, but they are fewer in number than most readers seem to think. God, I'm opinionated today.

Anyway, I'm delighted you are back and that you enjoyed Justin Glasser's writing. Comments like this make my day.

[wendelah1]

Wow. I just reread "Lonely Nightmare." Guh. I had forgotten how terrific that story is. I knew someone had written a great post-ep for Never Again. So scary, so emotional. Perfect Mulder voice. I've got tears in my eyes and I'm not a weeper. Thanks, Kate, for reminding me of how good it was.

[wendelah1]

Oh, I almost forgot to mention that there are a couple of fine stories of his at Gossamer that, oddly enough, never made it to his old website: "Orrery" and "Wake."

[bmerb.livejournal.com]

Thanks! I've read everything on his website so now to peek at gossamer. Also happy that the final chapter was included since I couldn't find it on his website when I was reading originally. I really enjoy his writing, so well done and it doesn't feel like anyone else's xf fanfic to me, sort of it's own flavor while feeling "true" somehow. Am I remembering correctly that there is something of a Skinner/Mulder slash feel (or outright writing) to many of his stories?