wendelah1: (Scully in front of the poster)
wendelah1 ([personal profile] wendelah1) wrote in [community profile] xf_book_club2010-04-30 12:54 pm
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Story 113: "Fathoms Five" by Penumbra

Fathoms Five was first nominated in September of last year by [livejournal.com profile] scarletbaldy, and then again about a month ago by [livejournal.com profile] antfarmponies. It's been suggested to me informally a couple of times, too. I had hesitated to post it for a number of reasons, not the least of which is that the subject matter is profoundly disturbing.

Yes, THAT IS A WARNING. Email or PM me if you need more specific information before reading this story.

But it's a major work, by a major writer. It's also her best work, in my humble opinion, and I hope we can do it justice. I don't want to say anything more specific for fear of giving away too much. As always, there will be spoilers in the comment threads.

Penumbra's planning to let her website go down soon (sob, I know, another one), so I'm also linking to her journal. Of course, the story is archived at Gossamer, too.

Again, this story contains disturbing material that might be triggering.

At her website, "Fathoms Five." EDIT: This version has a warning that is a spoiler.

And, at her journal: Part One, Part Two. EDIT: This version has no warning posted.

As always, leave feedback for the author, and then come back for discussion. Suggestions for next time may be left at the nomination post.

[identity profile] maybe-amanda.livejournal.com 2010-05-17 07:54 pm (UTC)(link)
I am late to the party, but I'd still like to comment. Or ask a few questions, maybe. Both, probably.

First, I enjoyed this story. It's AU, and AU gives you a lot of latitude, latitude Penumbra's made thorough and excellent use of. As always, the language is vivid, flowing, engrossing. Her original characters (William, Arable (which, yeah, there's a name for you) and Matthew) are interesting enough that they don't simply seem to be adjuncts to the M&S story. The dog has a strange name and a solid presence. And leave it to the Mulders, such as they are, to keep ducks that can't fly but instead run everywhere.

This is my favourite part:

He was angry at Scully for being perfect and frozen and impossible to wholly love as an evolving woman over a lifespan, in the close comfort of middle age and on into everything life brings, through everything,
the true, vital living Scully, whom he had somehow lost, and who had been replaced by a Scully who was afraid and trapped, who took the coward's way and couldn't admit what she was doing to the rest of them.


That's pretty much the whole story, beautifully encapsulated.

But I have to ask, what is Scully's deal? What's her problem? Do you think her self-centeredness and self-pity are justified? (not was Pen justified in writing it that way, but is the character justified in feeling that way?)

I'd like to hear other opinions on this.

[identity profile] estella-c.livejournal.com 2010-05-17 09:37 pm (UTC)(link)
"What's her problem?" She's not going to die. "Do you think her self-centeredness and self-pity are justified?" Yep.

Things might change, of course. She might become a brave and unique saint. Saint Scully the Deathless. There's time for any eventuality.

better her than me.

[identity profile] maybe-amanda.livejournal.com 2010-05-17 10:13 pm (UTC)(link)

"What's her problem?" She's not going to die. "Do you think her self-centeredness and self-pity are justified?" Yep.


Perhaps I wasn't clear. Sorry.

Yes, she's not going to die. Maybe. boo hoo. She herself asked how you could have too much life. She's got a great husband-like thing and a great kid, both of whom are bending over backward to try to make her happy. And yet, she's suicidal. Is it just because she's apparently immortal? Why and/or how does that justify her behavior?

See what I mean? I could sort of understand if she's lived 300 years, lost everything and everyone she'd known and cared for, but she's in her fifties.

What's she so depressed about?



[identity profile] estella-c.livejournal.com 2010-05-17 11:08 pm (UTC)(link)
I believe that you were clear enough. I just don't think we're destined to understand each other here.

You say "boo hoo." I'd say, like Scully, "kill me now." Depressed doesn't capture it.

It's as though Scully were in a glass box, (emotionally) asleep, watching the seasons turn and unable to be part of it.

All human beings know that they will die. You can't be human without owning that knowledge. At least I imagine that it must be really, really hard, and "imagine" is all any of us can do.

I know I'm sounding extra-philosophical, but that's the subject we've been dealt.