mergatrude recommends ...

[mergatrude.livejournal.com]

There's a wonderful flood of new stories appearing in this community, but I find myself really missing DS_Flashback. I hope to encourage more people to continue recommending favourite stories by doing so myself.

Title: Merry Go Round
Author: Speranza
Pairing: F/K
Category: slash
Link: http://www.trickster.org/speranza/Merrygo.html


At the end of my stint as a recc'er I had a handful of stories left, and whilst this wasn't one of them, I read it recently and it caused me to think about being a writer and having a body of work. Even if it's not as highly regarded as some of Speranza's other stories, it's interesting to read it as an "early work" if you like, and to see themes and style as well as appreciating the story for itself.

It has tremendous energy - you start out in the middle of an argument and the pace, with merely a few pauses for breath here and there, whirls you on to the end. Whenever I open up a Speranza story I know she's going to take the boys on a wild ride, be it to New Orleans or Gary Indiana. I also know there's going to be food, because let's face it, sex and food are the two most predominant human preoccupations, and this story had me hunting up some gyoza next time I was at the local mall. There's a wonderful competitiveness between Ray and Fraser which is so guy-like and real. You can see these are real people pissing each other off and taking the piss out of each other, which is as much a reflection of their closeness as any other expression of affection. And, as always, you're cruising along, enjoying the ride when you get hit by one of her superb insights. In this case, the bit that really gobsmacked me was:

I'd groaned and let my body relax--and then he was moving, pushing inside me slowly. It had hurt, and I remember tears leaking out of my eyes even though I was squeezing them shut, trying to hold them back. And yet, it was good that it hurt, it was right that it hurt--because how could I have kept everyone out for so long and have it not hurt now?

I really feel inadequate to the task of expressing how much pleasure I get from reading Speranza's stories, both in themselves and also as part of a body of work that never fails to entertain me, distract me and make me think. I hope everyone will enjoy the many small pleasures in this story, and also relish in her dexterity with the craft.

Comments

[shayheyred.livejournal.com]

Ya know what? Some folks think it's a cliche to rec Speranza, but there's a reason we do it. She's a remarkable writer and a unique voice. So rec away, baby! I'm right there with you.

[estrella30.livejournal.com]

I always love your mumbles, M, so yay! Glad to see you keeping up with the reccing!

(And I also had one or two stories left on my rec list when flashback ended. Maybe I'll pull out my notes and rec something myself. You've inspired me!)

[mergatrude.livejournal.com]

Please rec away! You already know I admire your taste!