Fragments from a Shattered Life
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| Zine | |
|---|---|
| Title: | Fragments from a Shattered Life |
| Publisher: | Empathy Publications |
| Editor: | |
| Author(s): | Cath Knowles |
| Cover Artist(s): | |
| Illustrator(s): | |
| Date(s): | August 1990 |
| Medium: | |
| Size: | |
| Genre: | |
| Fandom: | Blake’s 7 |
| Language: | English |
| External Links: | |
| Click here for related articles on Fanlore. | |
Fragments from a Shattered Life is a gen Blake's 7 114-page novel by Cath Knowles.
From the title page:
This Fanzine explores the question: "What if Vila Restal were a Pshyco-Strategian? -- a Puppeteer?" -- and is irreverently dedicated to anyone who may be suffering from Depression. "And you think you've got problems?"
Contents
- Pinocchio Is Broken... His Strings Have Been Cut
- On the Road to Nowhere
- For Gan (poem)
- Kin to Chaos
- On the Eve of Destruction
- Prayers for the Dead
Reactions and Reviews
1994
One of my favourite zines is Fragments from a Shattered Life by Catherine Knowles (if my memory serves me right - I can't check 'cos I've lent it to someone), and it is based on the premise that Vila is actually a puppeteer, like Carnell. It's brilliant! [1]
This does not really constitute a review. I read this at least 2 years ago. The novel is decently written; it's not a juvenile effort and the writer has considerable skill. I just don't believe the premise for a minute and nothing the author does changes my mind. The Vila in this novel has no resemblance or relationship to the Vila in the series. All that whining and shirking and lively wit that make Vila such an entertaining figure in the show are an act, part of a deep plot, and I just can't see it at all. As with so much fan fiction, other people may like it a lot. Tastes vary so much, as does what each reader wants from reading. [2]
Well, it's is about this psychostrategist who looks like Vila, but who is totally different personality wise, and this thief called Via who acts a lot like Vila, but doesn't resemble him physically. The whole story (bar a few snippets at the end) is set pre series. The basic theme of the story is the psychostrategist (who is totally alpha and uncaring), gradually coming to realise that the delta grades are more than just experimental animals that he can ignore in his predictions. [3]
Have you ever read "Fragments from a Shattered Life"? It gives a perfect explanation for the contradictions in Vila's character. In fact it specifically explains why he sometimes panics in a crisis. (I think it's on Kathryn's zine list) It rates 7/10 om my personal zine score. [4]
1996
Personally, I found Fragments From a Shattered Life disappointing because it was billed as a 'what if Vila was a puppeteer', whereas he was someone who used to be, and had been brain-imprinted with a Delta's personality - as part of a guilt trip, wasn't it, where he felt he had to punish himself for something - so parts of his original personality occasionally leaked through. I'm still waiting for the story where Vila is actually a puppeteer who is manipulating them all along, though I've seen one where he's a Federation agent and is feeding Avon drugs to make him paranoid! [5]