Sword of Damocles
| Zine | |
|---|---|
| Title: | Sword of Damocles |
| Publisher: | Nut Hatch Collective |
| Editor: | |
| Author(s): | Trish Darbyfield |
| Cover Artist(s): | |
| Illustrator(s): | |
| Date(s): | 1993 |
| Medium: | |
| Size: | |
| Genre: | |
| Fandom: | Professionals |
| Language: | English |
| External Links: | |
| Click here for related articles on Fanlore. | |
Sword of Damocles is a 168-page slash Professionals novel by Trish Darbyfield.
From a flyer in Cross My Heart #10: "Due for March '93. Will bo 170pp or so, compressed type, A4, photocopy, illos if we can squash them in somewhere, but the text of this novel is so large, we may not be able to find space."
The Hatstand's summary: "A CI5-based Bodie/Doyle novel in which the spectre of AIDS, new on the scene in the time period, hangs over Bodie's head for his activities in Africa years before, and a few encounters with old mates since."
Ads
From a 1992 flyer printed in Flood Tide:
In the early 1980s, AIDS was a threat and a worry, and its impact on all stratae of society was considerable. CI5 could not be immune to the disease. But even for those who don't acquire it, the spectre of dread is distressing, George Cowley and Kate Ross come to grips with this new problem from the aspect of administration... Bodie and Doyle grapple with it from the more practical end of affairs. Trish Darbyfeld has written a novel which is touching, funny and most memorable. NOTE; this is not a death story, and you know darned well, neither of our heroes is going to get sick) Just enjoy the anxiety and romance! Should be same size/price as CMH #10. Planned For Feb/March '93.
From an ad in On the Double #25:
SWORD OF DAMOCLES-A novel by Trish Darbyfeld. In the early 1980's, AIDS was a threat and a worry, and its impact on all stratae of society was considerable. CI5 could not be immune to the disease. But even for those who don't acquire it, the specter of dread is distressing. George Cowley and Kate Ross come to grips with this new problem from the aspect of administration...Bodie and Doyle grapple with it from the more practical end of affairs. Trish Darbyfeld has written a novel which is touching, funny and most memorable. NOTE: This is not a death story, and you know darned well, neither of our heroes is going to get sick! Just enjoy the anxiety and romance! Should be same size/price as CMH #10. Planned for Feb/March '93.
From Nuthatch's flyer on its website (also see image):
In the early to mid 1980s, the first, breeze-like stirrings were heard of what would soon become a storm of global proportions, and no one was beyond risk. If they were young, sexually active, and particularly if they happen to be male, the risk was enormously magnified.
The storm — of course — was AIDS. With CI5 staffed almost entirely with men and women in the high risk groups, George Cowley and Kate Ross have ample cause for concern. Their field agents are young, more or less promiscuous (which would often be required of them in the line of their work), and what's more, prone to injury which has frequently required hospitalization. And blood transfusion. Doyle's 1980 brush with Eternity is a prime cause of worry; and what of Bodie's previous career, in Africa of all places — and his continued liaison with intimate acquaintances who are still in that theater?
It all adds up to a huge headache for CI5 in general; trauma for certain of the agents in particular; and for Bodie and Doyle, an emotional crisis which only the closeness of their bond, the bulwark of their relationship will get them through.
This is a landmark novel in several ways. It's Trish Darbyfeld's debut as a B/D novelist (her work has appeared in several other zines, in short story form); and it's the first full-length long-novel treatment of this difficult subject, which has previously been touched upon in several short stories such as The Rakes' Progress, and of course the short-novel, Shadows Over The Land. Sword Of Damocles is an entirely new approach, examining not just the impact of AIDS on the individual (even the fear of "have I got it? Could I have been exposed to it?"), but on the entire organization of CI5. What the "pandemic" has done to the ballet theater and the sports area, it will surely do to such departments as George Cowley's.
Please note: not is not, repeat not a death story!! (If it was, would we have published?) But it's superbly researched, beautifully written, with all the hallmarks that make a satisfying B/D novel: suspense, romance, humor, pathos; and yes, a happy ending.
First published, March '93. 170pp or so, compressed type.[1]
From the Editor
From the editor's preface in the zine:
I think we have something of a treat for readers who like a long, juicy, angsty read. I thoroughly enjoyed this story, and I know what courage it took to grab a particularly difficult bull by the horns and wrestle it down. AIDS is a difficult subject to write on; and Trish has done well. Please don't worry: this is not a death story. What it is, is a particularly well researched piece that tackles a difficult topic.
THAT OLD PLEA TO READERS: For the umpteenth time we beg you not to duplicate this zine for the circuit. Also, if you discover someone doing this, gently suggest to them that they stop, because The Nut Hatch will get stuck with $1000's worth of unsold copies, and go broke all over again! If you would like to bulk-order for your group, circuit, or con, please write to us, we would be delighted to give details in full!
Welcome to yet another issue where Kathy K. has been conspicuous by her, uh, complete absence! Once again, it's JJ at the helm (as I said last issue, the boy ... or should that be girl? ... on the burning deck!
At the present time, the way things look, Kathy might not be returning at The Nut Hatch as Commanding Editor. Without going into too many personal details (I won't say trivialities, because they're closer to traumatic than trivial) ill health has struck her family and she's walking a tightrope between the two jobs that are necessary to pay those medical bills, and what are smilingly called 'home nursing duties.' Fandom comes far down the list of 'things to do today.' So, for the present it seems I've been given the editor's hat to wear! Barb, Angela, Pam and I will see if we can keep Nut Hatch on track; and if you notice us wobbling in any direction — feel free to tell us where and how. Most of all, we want to maintain the integrity of the press.
Reactions and Reviews
1993
It is an AIDS story, but not a death story.
The basic plot is what with all the Aids statistics, CI5 decides to do it's own testing.
Bodie - because he was in Africa at the time it became evident. Doyle - because of the transfusions he received after Mayli shot him.
Because of the stress of possibly having it, Ross (With Cowley's approval!) sends the lads of on 2 weeks leave. They go up to Yorkshire and do the Bronte tour.
They turn to each other for the sexual release instead of possibly inflicting it on some unsuspecting female.
When the results come back, Bodie is clear but Doyle's weren't conclusive. So it needs to be redone.
In the meantime, Clair, Doyle's girlfriend mentioned in mixed Doubles, calls him to say that she has it - because of a needle prick at work.
That doesn't help matters any. So Ross, and again with Cowley's approval(!!) sends them off on leave for a month!
They do Northern Scotland this time. When they return, they find that Clair died dur to assisted suicide. But they both turn out okay. They still turn to each other for sex, but realize that it's now love.
IMHO, I like to story, but a bit overdone on the tour guide stuff.[2]
1996
While I had problems believing the premise I thought it was a pretty good read, though.[4]
SWORD OF DAMOCLES. B&D are out of character, and it's a travelogue without much of a plot. But I still like it.[5]
Here's a question I've mulled before. Is it a phenomenon particular to Pros, this travelogue disguised as a work of fiction thing? I am thinking not just of "Island Innocents" but of (then-- I assume -- infamous) "Sword of Damocles," in which B&D spend nearly an entire novel staying in B&Bs and worrying about what to do with the condoms. There are moments in both where I can only thank the good lord above that technology has not advanced to the point that I have to sit through the slides.
Not that I didn't have fun reading both, mind. They just struck me as a tad peculiar in the the touristic sense.[6]
1998
This was the most frustrating story I've ever read.... It had some great bits, but the ridiculous AIDS testing ruined it for me; I had a very hard time getting beyond that piece of nonsense. Borrow it (I *don't* have it), read it, then give it back.[7]
References
- ^ "flyer". Archived from the original on 2004-10-24.
- ^ comments on Virgule-L, quoted anonymously (July 13, 1993)
- ^ comments on Virgule-L, quoted anonymously (July 13, 1993)
- ^ comments on Virgule-L, quoted anonymously (March 25, 1996)
- ^ comments by Jan LeVine on Virgule-L, quoted with permission (October 3, 1996)
- ^ comments on Virgule-L, quoted anonymously (May 14, 1996)
- ^ a comment at CI5, quoted anonymously (1998)