Still Life (Blake's 7 story)

Fanfiction
Title:	Still Life
Author(s):	Judith Kitses
Date(s):	1989
Length:
Genre:
Fandom:	Blake's 7
External Links:
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Still Life is a Blake's 7 story by Judith Kitses.

It was published in Powerplay #4.

Reactions and Reviews

The last story [in this zine] is a substantial 70-page saga "Still Life" by Judith Kitses, which the editor says will be concluded in a later edition of Powerplay; I haven't seen Powerplay 5 so this review cannot really judge whether the story works overall. It is an ambitious piece of work and intensely mystical in tone. Avon and Vila are translated post-GP onto an alien world where actions are controlled by the power of thought. They both start a new life there and flit back and forth fighting the Federation.

The emphasis is very much on Avon and his redemption, expressed in enigmatic and quasi-religious terms - "The inner galaxy of Avon's soul" is a typical phrase. If you see Avon in those terms you will probably enjoy this one. If you prefer something less esoteric you will probably become exasperated by all the mysticism which is echoed by the very mannered writing style.

The story is told almost entirely in the present tense and as the time scale is not always made clear - some sections cover a few hours, but overall the action stretches over three years at the very least - the plot tends to lose its focus. There are descriptions about Avon's experiences away from his new life that seem divorced from the rest, and I really couldn't see what the author was trying to show. However, all may be resolved in the next episode.

While this story is not my cup of tea, it is genuinely original and the author's imagination is a welcome change from identikit stories dead and buried under the weight of their cliched phrases; could "get kitted up/Vila moaned/Avon glared/Blake chewed his knuckle etc be banned?

Massive fic. I only skimmed the first few pages. It's about Avon - that's really all I can tell you. The sequel takes up a substantial part of Powerplay 5 as well.