The Albatross (Star Trek: VOY story)
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| Fanfiction | |
|---|---|
| Title: | The Albatross |
| Author(s): | Christinecgb |
| Date(s): | 2002 |
| Length: | |
| Genre(s): | het |
| Fandom(s): | Star Trek Voyager |
| Relationship(s): | |
| External Links: | The Albatross on the wayback machine |
Click here for related articles on Fanlore. | |
The Albatross is a Star Trek: VOY Janeway/Chakotay story by Christinecgb.
It was nominated for a 2002 ASC Award.
Reactions and Reviews
The Albatross is a lovely, bittersweet, and quite realistic Janeway/Chakoty tale. Wonderfully written, this story shows that the course of love is neither true nor sometimes even all that satisfying, in this story love may just be a step on the way to two people accomplishing out what they were meant to be. This is a very interesting look at Chakotay too, as we listen in on his thoughts and wishes. I really like the Seven and Janeway characterizations here. Nothing is simple or trite. These are complex and somewhat damaged characters. . All very true to the where I think these folks would have ended up. [1]
If this is truly Christine's J/C 'swan song', at least we have the comfort of the fact she's leaving us with a lovely story. I really enjoyed the symbolism of the Rime of the Ancient Mariner, and the clear-sighted observations of the characters and their behaviors. [2]
Christine uses the title metaphor very effectively in this story, leaving the identity of the albatross nicely ambiguous and multiple. She gives me a J/C I can still believe -- full of undercurrents and symbiotic need and pain and yes, love. Great line: ". . .he goes to her as he has always done and as he imagines he always will, because maybe she needs to know that. Maybe she needs to know that this thing between then can survive anything, everything. Her." [3]
I love Christine's writing. It's always so lyrical, stylish, just beautiful. "The Albatross" is certainly no exception from the rule. And it's not just a shiny surface. There are always interesting insights and interpretations of character. I like Chakotay's reflection that Janeway never makes much of good byes, no tears or regrets--maybe because she always expects to see him again, or maybe because she refuses to consider the alternative. I thought that captured a facet of Janeway's personality very neatly--the stubborn determination that can sometimes slide into denial. Seven also comes through very vividly in this story. I like how the author talks about how she masks her concern for Janeway in scientific curiosity and the oblique way she relates to Chakotay. I like the twist on Janeway's mission--and the very name of the ship. I found the ending very satisfying and true to character. [4]
I suspect Christine gives us more than we should really expect from J/C at this late stage, but it's a wonderfully sketched portrait of uncertainty and three people coming to grips with the tectonic shifts their lives have undergone. And a little, tiny ray of hope which isn't unwelcome. [5]
ChristineCGB has such a lovely, lyrical flow to her writing and this story isn't an exception. I love the initial dynamic between Chakotay and Seven - the 'trying' and the distance, both - and then the painful honesty of the conversation between Janeway and Chakotay. Christine says this is possibly her last J/C fic, but I seriously hope it's not as her 'voice' in VOY fic is truly memorable. [6]
Of course Seven would make a chart. Christine tosses off wonderful characterizations of Chakotay and Seven on her way to her own, incomparable Janeway. Chakotay's doubts about C/7 are far more convincing than in the average C/7 breakup fic. He gets some lovely lines, such as the one about "the distance in between" and, of course, "You missed." The twist about Kathryn's crew is marvellous. In just a few paragraphs, Christine sketches out an entire post-Endgame scenario, raises the question of the meaninglessness of post-Endgame life, *and* makes J/C convincing. More stories should be like this one. [8]
References
- ^ Djinn This is the Digest from 2002 for the Category of: Janeway/Chakotay
- ^ Rocky This is the Digest from 2002 for the Category of: Janeway/Chakotay
- ^ Kelly Chambliss This is the Digest from 2002 for the Category of: Janeway/Chakotay
- ^ Rabble Rouser This is the Digest from 2002 for the Category of: Janeway/Chakotay
- ^ the stylus This is the Digest from 2002 for the Category of: Janeway/Chakotay
- ^ Seema This is the Digest from 2002 for the Category of: Janeway/Chakotay
- ^ Penny Proctor This is the Digest from 2002 for the Category of: Janeway/Chakotay
- ^ Jemima This is the Digest from 2002 for the Category of: Janeway/Chakotay