Story 113: "Fathoms Five" by Penumbra

[wendelah1]

Fathoms Five was first nominated in September of last year by scarletbaldy, and then again about a month ago by 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.

Comments

[kukkaseksi.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much for not spoiling the story with a warning. I really appreciate this. We are (supposedly!) all adults here, and you have been responsible enough to give us the option for a PM warning. This allows those that have triggers to get the warning or not, as they see fit, and protects the rest of us who wish to go into the story sans spoilers. It's win-win for all of us. I wish more fanfic was set up this way.

[dictatorcari]

I totally agree! But then I clicked the link to the story, and the author had spoiled it herself right up at the top. Haha. So much for my attempt to go in blind...

[wendelah1]

This is not necessarily going to be the most popular comment to make but I'm glad she put a warning on it. There wasn't one when I read it the first time. The warning is a spoiler, but the story is more thematically rich and emotionally complicated than what is warned for.

Edit: The journal version doesn't have a warning. I think I'll edit the post to let people know there is a version that isn't spoiled in anyway.

[wendelah1]

It is difficult to strike the right balance with this issue, so I'm glad to know this approach worked for you. I put a warning on because this community doesn't have an age restriction, and because there was no useful warning when I read it last year. If you did go ahead and try the story, then you already know why it required some notification for people with triggers.

Heh, I got to use my "long-suffering mod" icon.