What Light Through Yonder Window
| Zine | |
|---|---|
| Title: | What Light Through Yonder Window |
| Publisher: | |
| Editor(s): | |
| Date(s): | 1994-1995 |
| Series?: | |
| Medium: | print zine |
| Size: | |
| Genre: | |
| Fandom: | Beauty and the Beast (TV) |
| Language: | English |
| External Links: | |
| Click here for related articles on Fanlore. | |
What Light Through Yonder Window is a het Beauty and the Beast anthology of fiction by Lynette Combs.
Issue 1
What Light Through Yonder Window 1 was published in July 1994 and contains 231 pages.
- What Light Through Yonder Window by Lynette Combs ("Vincent's friends below work to find a way for he and Catherine to attend Shakespeare in the Park.") (reprinted from Reflection's #1)
- It Lasts for Always by Lynette Combs ("Vincent finds and comforts an old woman in the park.") (reprinted from Tunnels: Different Realities)
- Best in Show by Lynette Combs ("Vincent and Catherine comfort a homeless helper who believes he’s lost everything in his life.")
- May I Have this Dance by Lynette Combs ("Short, tender story where Catherine comes to Vincent after a disappointing party Above.")
- Mort D'Arthur by Amber James ("This sad story is about Mouse's pet raccoon, Arthur. No humans appear in it.")
- Twice Upon a Time by Lynette Combs
- The Ties that Bind by Lynette Combs
- The Homecoming by Lynette Combs
- To Bee or Not to Bee by Lynette Combs ("Father and Mouse plan to tackle a hornets' nest blocking the tunnel entrance.")
- Magic, poem by Lynette Combs (also in Sun in the Stone)
- Es Ist Fur Immer by Lynette Combs
- She Who Waits by Lynette Combs (reprinted from Lay Claim to Love: Boundless Moments)
from issue #1
from issue #1
from issue #1
from issue #1
Reactions and Reviews: Issue 1
Seven new stories from Combs plus poetry, art, reprinted fiction, some humor and miscellany (for instance, a "Where Are They Now?" section featuring commercial firms' ads duplicating characters'/actors' names: Vincent's Fine Arts and Gifts, William & Son Painting, etc.). Founded on familiar, tried and true premises, Combs' well-written stories picture life in the (predominantly) Continued Classic tunnels, often featuring Naomi, Combs' often-in-trouble tunnel tyke from her Promises to Keep series (which see). In the story "Twice Upon a Time," when trapped by a cave-in, in the child-forbidden Catacombs, Naomi finds solace and support from an unusual and inexplicable companion; and in "The Ties that Bind," injured Naomi resists Father's treatment unless Catherine is there to comfort and reassure her.In "The Homecoming," Kanin returns from prison to resume his family life, welcomed by the community. In "May I Have this Dance" (seemingly set late in second season), Catherine leaves a party to find Vincent's company much more stimulating. In the title story, the tunnel community undertakes an unusual project to allow Vincent and Catherine to see Shakespeare in the park, together. "To Bee or Not to Bee" recounts the humorous misadventures of Father and Mouse while trying to remove a hornets' nest from a most inconvenient location. "She Who Waits" explores Vincent's unexpected penchant for romantic foot massage, which figures in "May I Have This Dance," as well. "Le Morte d'Arthur" tells of the demise and funeral of Mouse's troublesome and beloved pet, involving some surprises. "Best In Show" tells how Vincent and Catherine find a helper in need of help himself, leading the lovers to a surprising truth.
In the final story, "It Lasts for Always," a faithful Dreamer finally comes home...to the tunnels, where her dreams and her life are both confirmed and renewed, and where similarly rejuvenated friends are waiting to welcome her. This story appears again, translated into German by Rosemarie Hauer.
Poetry and artwork by the author. [1]
Issue 2
What Light Through Yonder Window 2 was published in July 1995 and contains 188 pages. The art is by Lynette Combs.
- Valentine's Day
- Manhattan Transfer
- Judgment Call
- Good Business
- Here There Be Dragons
- The Other Painted Tunnels
- Father's Day
- Father Figure
- Where Are They Now
inside issue #2
inside issue #2
inside issue #2
inside issue #2
Reactions and Reviews: Issue 2
Like its predecessor, this anthology contains six of Combs' short stories plus miscellany, including photos of Vincent superimposed on various landscapes, likely and unlikely (sitting on the Statue of Liberty, for instance!), and series' characters names popping up in ads, street signs, names of firms, and the like. The first story, "Valentine's Day," is set shortly after "Siege." In it, Vincent hesitantly prepares to offer Valentine's gifts to Catherine but is much downcast to find far finer gifts have already arrived for her when he looks in from her balcony. Catherine's response reassures him that his gifts are the most precious to her of all, because they're his. The balance of the stories are set in Combs' contemporary setting, familiar to her readers, that includes lovable but often troublesome tunnel-tyke Naomi, who stirs her little hand into a number of situations and escapades. In "Manhattan Transfer," the collapse of a building, Above (documented with an actual news clipping) involves Vincent and the tunnel community with a survivor, all-but-forgotten helper Effigenia, injured and old but still fiercely independent. In "Judgment Call," Naomi has transgressed when her hot temper gets the better of her; but her having called Father "a big ol' poop-head" is only the prelude to a far more serious situation: in a family recently moved Below, the tunnel community learns (in part through Naomi), spousal abuse has been taking place. How will the situation be judged and handled? This story has many connections to and echoes of the episode "Trial." In "Good Business," the community faces a moral dilemma concerning what's legal, and what's right, in their dealings with topside people with whom they have financial dealing. What's "good business" and what is cheating? The community must decide."Here There Be Dragons" chronicles the scary story, and then the intrepid adventures, of tunnel youngsters who go exploring in the hope—and dread—of finding the dragons Father's story suggested lair in the deepest, most hidden places. As the search for the missing children (including, inevitably, Naomi) proceeds, there is the suggestion that there may be more things, not only in heaven and earth, but Below, than have been dreamt of in our philosophies. Again straying in "The Other Painted Tunnels," Naomi blunders upon prehistoric cave paintings, some features of which are most surprising, and which potentially pose an even greater threat to the tunnels' security than did the buried ship in "Fever." Vincent and Catherine must determine whether to reveal this treasure of art or let it continue to sleep in the dark...forever. And in the brief "Father's Day," Naomi has to decide what to give the person Below who has acted at her father—here defined as the one who "takes care of you, keeps you safe, makes you eat your vegetables, and scolds you when you're bad"—on that special day. Her gift, though unauthorized, is inspired and surprising in a number of ways. Those who enjoy Combs' perceptive portrayals of childhood will find this zine up to her usual very high standard. Vincent and Catherine primarily are dealing here with others' problems, not their own: their relationship is serenely affectionate, without conflict or doubts.
Also included is a letter from Roy Dotrice, commenting on "Good Business," and a poem, "Father Figure," which Roy has read aloud on at least one occasion. Much of the author's art, some of which are silhouettes imposed on a background, is featured here. [2]