Story 135: "Untold" by Melymbrosia

[wendelah1]

Once again, I am reminded it has been far too long between posts. But "Universal Invariants" was long and wonderful and worth spending the time on. Plus we had Thanksgiving weekend! Anyway, if you haven't already, there is still time to participate in the discussion, as well as send feedback to syntax6. I am still hoping she will finish "Original Sin," eventually.

This week I have a short short story for you. I know I recced it at crack_van and might have mentioned it in passing here too, but it deserves a post of its own. It is unusual for a story of this length, and in this genre yet, to have so impressed me since I usually like long stories with complicated plots.

Technically a post-ep for the pilot, "Untold" is told through a series of interconnected vignettes about the Consortium, featuring some familiar names and places, and introducing a few new ones as well. It is chilling and unforgettable.

You can read the rest of her stories at her website or at her author's page at Gossamer. Let us know what you think and remember to feed the author.

Read "Untold."

Comments

[estella-c.livejournal.com]

I have read Melymbrosia, and I remember thinking that she does angst right: brief, hard, and to the point. The writing is hard, that is, in the way of prose that has been triple-edited by the writer herself. I don't mind feeling fictional pain but I don't enjoy enduring unnecessary words to reach it.

The thing about a dry, stripped-down recitation of bad things is that when someone expresses an emotion it really strikes a spark. When Bill Mulder waits to punish his son because he's sure to have done "something or other horribly and unforgivably wrong" it tells you all you need to know about the guilt and pain that has been assigned to Fox Mulder.

I didn't need to read something as long as Oklahoma to get that.

[wendelah1]

I have read Melymbrosia, and I remember thinking that she does angst right: brief, hard, and to the point. The writing is hard, that is, in the way of prose that has been triple-edited by the writer herself. I don't mind feeling fictional pain but I don't enjoy enduring unnecessary words to reach it.

Duly noted. ;)

I didn't need to read something as long as Oklahoma to get that.

So I guess I needn't add Oklahoma to the queue?