What Light Through Yonder Window
| Zine | |
|---|---|
| Title: | What Light Through Yonder Window |
| Publisher: | Sosumi Press |
| 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 (TV) anthology of fiction, poetry, and art by Lynette Combs.
[This zine] is an amateur publication of Sosumi Press, and as such is not intended to infringe upon 'Beauty and the Beast' copyrights held by Ron Koslow, Witt-Thomas, CBS, Republic Pictures, or anyone else sunk into inactivity or avoiding their responsibility to this wonderful show and its extraordinary fandom. The intent of this 'zine is only to help Keep the Dream Alive.
Issue 1
What Light Through Yonder Window 1 was published in July 1994 and contains 231 pages.
- Dear Mr. Koslow, open letter in the form of a poem (reprinted from the 1993 Great Expectations con zine) (1)
- The Homecoming, fiction (3)
- The Dream Seeker, poem (reprinted from Promises to Keep) (23)
- Special Feature: Sightings #1 - Glimpse on Broadway (23a)
- May I Have this Dance by Lynette Combs ("Short, tender story where Catherine comes to Vincent after a disappointing party Above.") (25)
- Her Ardent Heart, poem (reprinted from Soulmates: A Neverending Dream) (39)
- Idylls in a Kingdom by the Sea, poem (reprinted from the 1993 Great Expectations con zine) (40)
- Twice Upon a Time, fiction (43)
- Dreams and Echoes, poem (reprinted from How Sweet the Dream, winner of a 1991 Crystalline Rose Award) (67)
- Sightings #2: The Phantom of West 44th (67a)
- What Light Through Yonder Window, fiction ("Vincent's friends below work to find a way for he and Catherine to attend Shakespeare in the Park.") (reprinted from Reflection's #3) (69)
- To Bee or Not to Bee, fiction ("Father and Mouse plan to tackle a hornets' nest blocking the tunnel entrance.") (103)
- She Who Waits by Lynette Combs (reprinted from Lay Claim to Love: Boundless Moments) (123)
- Mistletoe Morning (139)
- Mort D'Arthur by Amber James ("This sad story is about Mouse's pet raccoon, Arthur. No humans appear in it.") (141)
- Pascal's New Look (163)
- The Ties that Bind, fiction (165)
- Best in Show, fiction ("Vincent and Catherine comfort a homeless helper who believes he’s lost everything in his life.") (189)
- Sightings #3: Carriage Ride Overlook (196a)
- Magic, poem by Lynette Combs (reprinted from The Sun in the Stone) (197)
- It Lasts for Always, fiction ("Vincent finds and comforts an old woman in the park.") (reprinted from Tunnels: Different Realities, also as a short standalone zine, It Lasts for Always) (205)
- Es Ist Fur Immer, fiction ("It Lasts for Always," translated into German by Rosemarie Hauer) (215)
- The Dreamer's Lullaby, poem (reprinted from The Sun in the Stone) (223)
- Sightings #4: Central Park Rescue (224a)
- Special Feature: Where Are They Now? (225)
- References (231)
- 16 pages of ads for fan-made Beauty and the Beast stuff
- two clippings about how to be kind
from issue #1
from issue #1
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from issue #1, example of some cerulean orbs
from issue #1, "Dear Mr. Koslow"
from issue #1
from issue #1, reprinted from The Sun in the Stone
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from issue #1, first page of Magic
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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 (1)
- Manhattan Transfer (19)
- Judgment Call (39)
- Good Business (About a moral dilemma facing the residents Below regarding selling candles and profit. "The author is interested in hearing your thoughts about this dilemma and which way you might have voted. Have you or your group ever been faced with a similar problem? Please write to me at the address shown at the beginning of this book. If you think you've guessed how each of the tunnel folk voted, and want to see if you're right, turn to the last page of the book.") (67)
- handwritten letter by Roy Dotrice who'd been sent this story, and how he'd have voted (80)
- Father Figure, poem (85)
- Where Are they NOW? (MANY random headlines and clippings that include the first names of the characters in the show) (89)
- Here There Be Dragons (109)
- The Other Painted Tunnels (161)
- Father's Day (183)
- Random Sightings (A very early form of photomanip, Vincent and other characters superimposed over New York City scenes) (various pages)
from issue #2, Vincent in a flower crown
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from issue #2, page one of the letter by Roy Dotrice, commenting on the story, "Good Business"
from issue #2, page two of the letter by Roy Dotrice, commenting on the story, "Good Business"
from issue #2
from issue #2
from issue #2, Ron Koslow on the back of a milk carton as a missing person
from issue #2
from issue #2
from issue #2, one of the Random Sightings: perhaps a funny nod to same actor crossover where Armin Shimmerman portrays both Pascal and Quark of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
from issue #2, one of the Random Sightings: Vincent in Central Park with a child
from issue #2, a cave Below has primitive cave paintings
from issue #2, a cave Below has primitive cave paintings, this one shows an image that looks like Vincent
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]