Sleepless in Providence
| Zine | |
|---|---|
| Title: | Sleepless in Providence |
| Publisher: | |
| Editor(s): | Ann R. Brown |
| Date(s): | 1995 |
| Series?: | |
| Medium: | print zine |
| Size: | |
| Genre: | |
| Fandom: | Beauty and the Beast (TV) |
| Language: | English |
| External Links: | |
| Click here for related articles on Fanlore. | |
Sleepless in Providence is a 30-page het Beauty and the Beast (TV) anthology, a story told in handmade letters.
The art is by Connie Asch, Inez Brown, Nate Dryden, Wolf Forrest, Terrie Milliman, Colby Pfeil, Barbara Gipson, Sandy C. Shelton, Rita Terrell, Sandra Tew, Pam Tuck (cover), and Paul Wunder.
Difference Editions
One edition contains 30 pages and is handwritten and black and white.
A later edition is 100 pages, includes some color images, and is and produced on a word processor.
From a Flyer
A novel in letters (real letters in real envelopes) to and from the Tunnels to Providence, R.I. Catherine accepted that job and Vincent tries to cope and cheer her on, but you can read between the lines.
Inside Sample
letter (earlier edition)
letter (later edition)
Pam Tuck
Pam Tuck
Colby Pfeil
Sandy C. Shelton
Barbara Gipson (appears to be in just the earlier edition)
Terrie Milliman
Sandy C. Shelton
Pam Tuck (earlier edition)
Pam Tuck (later edition)
Rita Terrell
Reactions and Reviews
Another unusual zine from the endlessly surprising and imaginative Ann R. Brown. Bound on the short side of the page, this one consists of letters (actually reproduced, in envelopes, variously handwritten, typed, and word-processed) exchanged between Vincent and Catherine after she moved to take that job in Providence following the events in "Nor Iron Bars A Cage." A letter is attached to one page, in its envelope, often sealed with sealing wax (Vincent) or a monogram seal (Catherine); on the opposite page is an appropriate illustration by contributing artists Connie Asch, Inez Brown, Nate Dryden, Wolf Forrest, Terrie Milliman, Colby Pfeil, Sandy C. Shelton, Rita Terrell, Sandra Tew, Pam Tuck, and Paul Wunder.
The exchange of letters is both poignant and in character (Vincent's letters are much longer, and studded with poetry) as Vincent tries to put up a brave front and encourage faraway Catherine while inwardly enduring the worst pain and despair of his life. Catherine is trying to balance an increased workload, Elliot's renewed advances, and the threats of an abusive husband who blames her for the dissolution of his marriage. During this time, Vincent also has the added stresses of caring for a foundling baby he's become much attached to and of Lucy (of "No Way Down") moving Below. There are also letters from Father (acerbic) and from Jamie (covered with stamp-pad stamps). Needless, perhaps, to say, the lovers are reunited, but the reader feels their separation almost as keenly as Vincent does, with intense immediacy even though one is confident things will work out in the end. It must signify something that the reviewer went through this zine, letter by letter, in almost uninterrupted tears....
This is about as good as it gets. You want this. [1]
References
- ^ from Helpers' Network Quality Fanzine Review -- 1997, Archived version
- ^ {{cite web | url = http://www.batbland.com/Sep25/2008/ficNartRetrospectiveJoAnn2.htm | title = Fic and Art Retrospective