Prevailing Winds

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Fanfiction
Title: Prevailing Winds
Author(s): fawatson
Date(s): 2008 to ?
Length: currently approx 30,000 words
Genre:
Fandom: Mary Renault
External Links:

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"Prevailing Winds " is the series title given by fawatson to a series of linked stories which collectively make up a crossover sequel to Mary Renault's 1953 novel, The Charioteer. It is a work in progress, but likely to be approximately 60,000 words long when completed.

The first story in the series, "You Are Cordially Invited", was inspired by discussion by a few members of the LJ community maryrenaultfics in 2008 (during In Their Own Words activities) about what in Alec's past had made him so adamently opposed to giving in to blackmail. One or two people reading the story asked for more, leading to this series. As a whole "Prevailing Winds" explores the tensions and pleasures of gay and lesbian life in the 1940s. It was not until the fourteenth story that the author chose a title for the series as a whole.

The series so far includes fifteen stories.

Stories in the Series

  • "You Are Cordially Invited"
  • "Reconciliation"[1] follows Alec, Valentine and Colonna to the wedding. This story provides further insights into his character through revelations about his parents, sisters, and their attitudes about homosexuality.
  • "Invitations"[2] features a minor character from The Charioteer, Barnes, and shows some of the pleasures and risks attached to homosexual and lesbian lifestyles of the period.
  • "Party"[3] introduces characters from Kind Are Her Answers into the story. Alec is seen in his role as a doctor.
  • "Reputation"[4] features Major Ferguson from The Charioteer and pushes Alec to defend his reputation against allegations of immorality. His friendship with Nurse Valentine enables him to 'pass', and readers see his discomfort at avoiding problems through this.
  • "Interlude"[5] shows a tranquil picnic scene. It also shows how Alec is able to start a new sexual liaison.
  • "What Came Next"[6] introduces Mic Freeborn from Purposes of Love into the story properly (he has been previously mentioned), and shows how different characters respond to the death of someone they know well.
  • "Early One Morning"[7] features domestic scenes with Alec and Rollo in bed, and Valentine and Mic discussing Colonna, and her unplanned pregnancy, in the kitchen.
  • "Reprise"[8] introduces Laurie and Ralph from The Charioteer into the 'verse. The title relates back to the party scene in the original novel, and the theme of this story is about similarities and differences in 'queer' parties of the 1940s.
  • "At the End of the Day"[9] features a domestic scene between Alec and Rollo, and progresses reader's understanding of their romance.
  • "Normal Life"[10] features Ralph and Laurie visiting again, and Laurie witnessing the women of the house working to sides-to-middling some bedsheets. One reason why Ralph tried to 'pass' for two years is revealed, and readers are shown the progression of Alec and Rollo's relationship.
  • "Changes"[11] introduces Leo and Helen from The Friendly Young Ladies. Several months have passed since the last story and Alec reflects on how much he misses Rollo (who has been posted abroad) and how different it is for him to feel commitment in a relationship.
  • "Lavender's Blue"[12] is chiefly focused on Kit and Christie from Kind Are Her Answers. This story 'sets up' some scenes for later installments of this series.
  • "Specialists"[13] focusses on Alec's night out in London at a gay bar. He experiences temptation which tests his commitment to the absent Rollo and realises how 'out-of'step' he is with the couples he sees around him.
  • "Should Auld Acquaintance Be Forgot"[14] focuses on three letters received by Alec which set him musing about lifestyle choices.

Fan Response

Response from other fans to "Prevailing Winds" has been positive, even from fans who are not very familiar with Mary Renault's early contemporary novels, and the details in the depiction of everyday life during wartime in particular have been praised. Comments on the story and the sequels include the following:

  • What a remarkable and original idea! I was thoroughly engrossed in this and love all the careful period detail, the unfolding of backstory[...][15]—trueriver on "You Are Cordially Invited..."
  • Wonderful. I've never read Purposes of Love, but I really enjoyed the intertwining of those characters with Alec. But much, much more: I loved this glimpse into Alec's psyche. I can definitely see why he feels so strongly about blackmail.[...][16]—mysid on "Reconciliation"
  • Rollo and Alec: two of my favourites in the same story -- what more can I ask? Also, I really like that you focus on the doctors doing their medical thing. Life's being lived and death's being died and our beloved characters are in on it.[17]—leolane on "Party"
  • [..]The crossover universe you've created is absolutely believable (I'm vaguely disappointed now, when I read the originals, and don't find everyone there...but then you already know that!). Alec shines, as do others who have been, in the past, difficult for me to reach. The whole series is really quite touching - this one particularly poignant. The choices Alec is presented, and makes, Ralph's one just goes on... Gods, Flo, this series just gets better and better.[18]—my_cnnr on "What Came Next"
  • Very well done! I love the way you treat each chapter as a fragment of an everyday life. I always liked Alec from "The Charioteer" and your treatment of him in this is very practical and creative. Little inserts of Ralph and Laurie are always lovely as well. Leo and Helen as another addition was always appreciated. I can't wait to see what else you have in store.[19]—dramadream10 on "Changes"
  • I think I have enjoyed this one most of all...[20]—trueriver on "Should Auld Acquaintance Be Forgot"

References

  1. ^ "Reconciliation" by fawatson, as posted to the maryrenaultfics LJ community, 31 May 2008. Accessed 28 August 2011.
  2. ^ "Invitations" by fawatson as posted to the maryrenaultfics LJ community, 16 July 2008. Accessed 28 August 2011.
  3. ^ "Party" by fawatson as posted to the maryrenaultfics LJ community, 16 August 2008. Accessed 28 August 2011.
  4. ^ "Reputation" by fawatson as posted to the maryrenaultfics LJ community, 11 December 2008. Accessed 28 August 2011.
  5. ^ "Interlude" by fawatson as posted to the maryrenaultfics LJ community, 24 March 2009. Accessed 28 August 2011.
  6. ^ "What Came Next" by fawatson as posted to the maryrenaultfics LJ community, 29 March 2009. Accessed 28 August 2011.
  7. ^ "Early One Morning" by fawatson as posted to the maryrenaultfics LJ community, 12 June 2009. Accessed 28 August 2011.
  8. ^ "Reprise" by fawatson as posted to the maryrenaultfics LJ community, 12 June 2009. Accessed 28 August 2011.
  9. ^ "At the End of the Day" by fawatson as posted to the maryrenaultfics LJ community, 12 June 2009. Accessed 28 August 2011.
  10. ^ "Normal Life" by fawatson as posted to the maryrenaultfics LJ community, 5 November 2009. Accessed 28 August 2011.
  11. ^ "Changes" by fawatson as posted to the maryrenaultfics LJ community, 27 February 2010. Accessed 28 August 2011.
  12. ^ "Lavender's Blue" by fawatson as posted to the maryrenaultfics LJ community, 22 August 2010. Accessed 28 August 2011.
  13. ^ "Specialists by fawatson as posted to the maryrenaultfics LJ community, 14 February 2011. Accessed 07 January 2012.
  14. ^ "Should Auld Acquaintance Be Forgot" by fawatson as posted to the maryrenaultfics LJ community, 31 December 2011. Accessed 07 January 2012.
  15. ^ Comment to "You Are Cordially Invited..." by trueriver, 16 April 2008. Accessed 28 August 2011.
  16. ^ Comment to "Reconciliation" by mysid, 6 June 2008. Accessed 28 August 2011.
  17. ^ Comment to "Party" by leolane, 16 August 2008. Accessed 28 August 2011.
  18. ^ Comment to "What Came Next" by my_cnnr, 25 March 2009. Accessed 28 August 2011.
  19. ^ Comment to "Changes" by dramadream10, 28 February 2010. Accessed 28 August 2011.
  20. ^ Comment to "Should Auld Acquaintance Be Forgot" by trueriver, 31 December 2011. Accessed 07 January 2012.
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