Notions
| Fanfiction | |
|---|---|
| Title: | Notions |
| Author(s): | Maggie Nowakowska |
| Date(s): | written in 1981, published in 1990 |
| Length: | |
| Genre: | gen |
| Fandom: | Star Wars |
| External Links: | |
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Notions is a Star Wars story by Maggie Nowakowska.
It was originally meant to be published in Imperial Entanglements in early 1982 but was pulled from that zine due to a "slowdown on [[Skywalker (Star Wars zine)|Skywalker] #5." This may have been due to the author's desire to have it released after material in "Skywalker" was revealed.
Some fans had read it, though, as early as 1981. It was mentioned in the essay Mixed Grille or will the real Darth Vader please stand up?.
The story was eventually published in A Tremor in the Force #5 in 1990 where it was illoed by Nancy Stasulis.
Summary
From the flyer for Imperial Entanglements: "What happened between Lord Vader and Princess Leia in the interrogation cell on the Death Star?"
Reactions and Reviews
1981
From the essay Mixed Grille or will the real Darth Vader please stand up?:
One final aspect of fan writing about Vader that we can hardly avoid is the Dark Lord's relationship with the opposite sex. While Han Solo is more superficially "sexy" and has been pursued by hordes of fannish MarySues, Darth has his share of groupies as well. His appeal is more ambiguous, both attractive and threatening, composed of such heavy-handed but effective sexual-fantasy images as his shiny jackboots, symbolic saber, swirling black villain's cape, air of power, and resonant voice, not to mention Prowse's nice broad shoulders and muscular body. This rather overwhelming image completely unnerves the sort of fans who respond to Luke's clean-cut teenybopper appeal, Tracy Duncan in "The Dark Path" (AGAINST THE SITH #9) responds by making Vader a nasty but safely impotent voyeur. Even such a strong-minded and sensitive writer as Maggie Nowakowska is unable to imagine the Dark Lord as a functional sexual partner. In the as yet unpublished story "Notions," she describes his physical and emotional reaction to Leia, frustrated by the damage to his body.
1992
Once again, Maggie has given me more to think about. Unlike many of her past writings, this one was not quite as complicated (thank the Maker!). But it was definitely well written and thought out. Unlike other Leia/Vader stories, this one rose above what it could have been and gave us an intelligent look at a very logical situation. [1]
Excellent, both in writing technique and emotional impact, teeming with thoughts, wit and insight. This is a perfect picture of Anakin, with the cracks of vulnerability in his cold armor [2]
Fascinating psychological and Forceful exploration between Vader, his memories and Leia and her beliefs. Do the past references tie into "Strings"? (STARQUEST) Two lines in particular ~ "a Forceful choir go with..." (what an image!) and "...think imagination had also burned..." moved me as they described the situations involved therein.[3]
My favorite story [in "A Tremor in the Force" #5] is "Notions." Beautifully written, as always, original, thought-provoking. Wonderful...[4]
References
- ^ from a letter of comment in A Tremor in the Force #6
- ^ from a letter of comment in A Tremor in the Force #6
- ^ from a letter of comment in A Tremor in the Force #6
- ^ from a letter of comment in A Tremor in the Force #6