probodie ([info]probodie) wrote in [info]ci5hq,
2006-09-18 23:59:00
  • Mood: content

Pros recc

Title: Suitable Gravity
Author: DVS
Link: Not sure if it's online, sorry
Zine: Lovers 5
Permission to archive at Palely Loitering: Yes, if you wish



This story is amazingly good.

I started reading it, and thought - oh well, because it's in this zine I've bought, I'd better read it. But my plan was to sell it because the other story I wasnt bothered about. Changed my mind, didnt I?

The premise is this: Doyle is a Pro, about to get married (or matched, as they call it) to Ann Holly who is a Higher, but AH calls the match off, just as they are supposed to leave on their honeymoon to Mars. Yep, it's sort-of sci-fi. Bear with me.

He decides to try and sell his other ticket, and go on his own. Unfortunately, to him anyway, he meets up with a bloke called Bodie, who turns out to be ex-Army, AND works for George Cowley in CI5...not the organisation we know and love, per se. Bodie is running from some men who work for Con Coogan. They get chatting in the queue for the shuttle to Mars, and it basically ends up them 'matching' in order for Bodie to escape the clutches of the henchmen.

But along the way, Bodie confesses his attraction to Doyle and although reluctant at first, eventually Doyle gives in ('all matched couples are expected to behave like this at first'), and they have sex. Eventually it does turn into love, but not without much thought and worry, and a dash of trouble from other quarters.

It's a wonderful story and one I completely expected to hate. Not that I hate DVS's stories, because I dont - I just dont usually like very AU/sci-fi based fic. But I sat and read it all tonight, straight through.

Now I just want to read it again...very unusual for me. But it just caught my attention and held it, and I would say to anyone who is wavering to give it a chance.
Tags: author - dvs, rec - online stories, rec - zine stories, title - suitable gravity

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  • 29 comments

[info]phantomas

September 18 2006, 23:23:37 UTC 5 years ago

It's one of my favourite top 5 Pros stories, because it's SO complete, so true to the characters, even if an AU version of them, and so balanced, in plot, emotions, hotness...I adore it :D
and yes, I re-read it regularly, and always with the same pleasure :D

[info]probodie

September 18 2006, 23:25:58 UTC 5 years ago

You are so right - the characterisation is spot on, despite the AU-ness (new word LOL).

I cant wait to read it again :-)

[info]faramir_boromir

September 19 2006, 01:46:18 UTC 5 years ago

I just got this zine in the mail recently, and was a little dismayed, like you, because AU/sci-fi stories usually leave me cold. But I read it, and was drawn into the story and it was terrific, just as you say. I have no intention of parting with this zine, especially since the first story is by Ellis Ward and is likewise unexpected and very very good.

[info]probodie

September 19 2006, 14:57:27 UTC 5 years ago

If I could separate the two stories I would, and get rid of Ellis Ward's, because that is one story I have read once and once is quite enough. I didnt enjoy it, to be honest.

But the zine is worth keeping for the second story.

[info]rosie55

September 19 2006, 12:52:49 UTC 5 years ago

I like AUs so this sounds just up my street but - rats (or should that be mice, BSL? *BG*!) - it isn't in the Circuit Archive nor in The Hatstand. And no-one has it listed among the secondhand zines lists I've checked so far. I shall put it on my "Wanted list" - if anyone has a copy they'd be willing to sell or loan, I'd be eternally grateful.
I gather there are zine conventions from time to time. How does one find out about these or get an invitation? It would have to be in the UK! Any pointers welcome.

[info]probodie

September 19 2006, 15:09:02 UTC 5 years ago

Have you tried the Rondeau's site? Link is http://www.crossovers.net/makeitgoaway/AdultNon.htm That's where I got my copy from, they may have another one.

[info]rosie55

September 19 2006, 16:37:39 UTC 5 years ago

Thanks so much, [info]probodie, I hadn't seen this site before, have added it to my list of places to try. Lovers5 is still listed so I've sent off an e-mail and will see whether they still have it. They have quite long lists - could get carried away there!
What a helpful lot you are!

[info]probodie

September 19 2006, 17:11:28 UTC 5 years ago

Well, they havent updated for a while, so it may be that the Lovers5 is the one I've just bought. However, keep checking because they do get new zines in.

What places do you use, may I ask?

And do you mind if I friend you?

Ooh and before I dash off, there is a lending library type thing, run by a lady called Sara Slinn, whereby you can join and pay so much 'on account' and get zines to read and return on a monthly basis, and it's really excellent.

If you want more info on this, feel free to email me.

[info]rosie55

September 19 2006, 17:18:07 UTC 5 years ago

Worth a try anyway! Fannish Flea, Waveney and, don't know how I missed it but I did have the Rondeau site listed but may have linked to a different page. I'm still fairly new to the zine side and I've just ordered a couple of zines from Sara Slinn but didn't know about the lending library - sounds brilliant, thanks for that. (Drools at thought of monthly zines!!)
I'd be delighted if you friended me, I will friend you also if that's ok.
Cheers!

[info]probodie

September 19 2006, 17:52:46 UTC 5 years ago

Now I really have to ask - what zines have you ordered??

And thanks, just off to do so :-)

[info]rosie55

September 19 2006, 21:30:51 UTC 5 years ago

I've ordered Unprofessional conduct 1 and Yellow brick Road, plus Jigsaw
puzzle by HG. I know Jigsaw Puzzle is on the Circuit Archive but I keep going back to re-read this one, so I'm splashing out on a hard copy. "Yellow brick road" has been recced to me by a couple of people and UC1 because Sebastian's Perfect Day was highly recced (and the other writers are all pretty good, too!). You probably gather I do like longer stories!
The kids are both off away at the end of this week - one to London, one to Cornwall, so I'm anticipating some nice long dark evenings curled up with a good book! ;-)

[info]probodie

5 years ago

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[info]rosie55

5 years ago

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[info]rosie55

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[info]probodie

5 years ago

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[info]justacat

September 22 2006, 03:16:51 UTC 5 years ago

Just fyi ... Suitable Gravity will be online soon!!! :-)

[info]rosie55

September 22 2006, 12:41:50 UTC 5 years ago

Thanks very much for letting me know - and thanks for the fantastic job you do with the Archive. New (especially long) stories are one of the bright spots to look forward to but I also enjoy the random button - have found a lot of writers I like that way!

[info]justacat

September 22 2006, 19:02:12 UTC 5 years ago

Okay, it's up there now!!

And thanks for your kind words about the archive - I'm really so glad to hear you're enjoying it ... :-)

[info]rosie55

September 23 2006, 23:30:57 UTC 5 years ago

Yes, I see what you all mean. And I hope you all realise I didn't get to bed until 3am last night because I couldn't bear not to finish it!! (Yawns! Thank goodness it went up on a Friday so I could have a late night and not have to think about work the next morning). And I think I may have to read it again, err...soon!
Rather like The Cook and the Warehouseman which took me by surprise when I first read that because I don't normally like science fiction at all but both of these have fascinated me with such imagination! Of course, anything with the lads has a head start, whatever the genre!
Thank you all for reccing and making it available online!

[info]probodie

September 22 2006, 18:33:57 UTC 5 years ago

Excellent news. Thanks for that, Justacat.

[info]justacat

September 22 2006, 19:04:17 UTC 5 years ago

Okay, it's up there, as you might have seen ... I wonder if it's worth putting a note up on this comm - or maybe I'll just respond to the people who left comments indicating they wanted to read it, just in case they're not on the [info]circuit_archive list.

And btw, I really loved this story too, much to my surprise. I wasn't all that excited when I started - but I ended up reading it three times in a row (plus about three more times when I scanned and proofread it!), and ... I can't explain it; I just loved it! So hot, and yet sweet, and so satisfying ... really one of her best, I think!

[info]probodie

September 22 2006, 19:06:35 UTC 5 years ago

I almost *almost* didnt read it, because I thought it wasnt going to be my thing, but boy am I glad I did.

I shall post an addendum to this on the list/my LJ so people know it's up there, and thanks again.

[info]kiwisue

September 19 2006, 13:08:16 UTC 5 years ago

I so want to read this now! But according to the list on Hatstand the zine, from Chained-to-the-Typewriter Press, is OOP. So I guess, like [info]rosie55, I'm stuck for the moment :-(

Unless there's a plan to put it on line soon - there was an older one by the same author archived recently, so there's hope.

[info]probodie

September 19 2006, 15:09:36 UTC 5 years ago

I hope so, for all your sakes, because it's so worth reading.

[info]kiwisue

September 20 2006, 22:31:57 UTC 5 years ago

I just ordered the last copy from the Rondeau site ! Wheee!

[info]hagsrus

September 19 2006, 21:18:00 UTC 5 years ago

It's being worked on for the Circuit Archive, and will go to Proslib too. May be a while, though.

[info]justacat

September 22 2006, 19:05:35 UTC 5 years ago

Just fyi, in case you don't follow [info]circuit_archive - I've just posted this story to the archive; coincidentally, I'd just recently finished scanning and proofreading it, and in light of this discussion, I figured now would be a good time to archive it! So enjoy! (I love it too, btw.)

[info]ancastar

September 23 2006, 19:22:35 UTC 5 years ago

Thanks to Probodie for rec'ing this and Jess for taking the time to put it online. This was =fabulous=! I loved the characterizations, the snarkiness of the relationship, the way the writer was able to create a world by giving us just enough info to get our bearings, the action--all of it! It was a marvelous read.

[info]paris7am

September 24 2006, 14:24:54 UTC 5 years ago

I too was enthralled by SG - a wonderful wonderful read. Pros SciFi AUs seem too improbable to me before I begin them, but our authors are so good, they end up being some of the best stories ever. Thank you for recommending, Probodie and Justacat for putting it up at the Circuit. There's another very sleepy but ecstatic Pros fan out in the world today...
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