24/7

[castalie]

Do you sometimes read a story, and even though the ending is beautiful, intelligent, sensible and interesting, there's something that makes you dislike it? Well, that's what happened in the story I just finished.

If some of you know the series, I'm talking about Xanthe's BDSM (and heavy one at that) XF series (Sk/M) 24/7.

I just finished reading the last chapter. The end is beautiful, I can totally understand why Xanthe wrote it like this, I can actually see it, it's smart and interesting, full of love - and it I didn't like it. I'm still thinking about it, and trying to change my mind. I mean, having conflicted feelings like this is weird. One one hand you admit it's a *good* ending, pretty intense too, and on the other, there's something that can't make it right.

Anyway, it's just the last passage, and really, it doesn't diminish the impact of the whole series (26 chapters... and looooooooong ones at that) in the slightest. 24/7 is the best BDSM story/series I've ever read. I think all my hot buttons have been pushed through the different chapters, as if the author knew all my kinks and decided to turn them into a story. I'm still re-reading it on a regular basis, and yes, it usually takes some time, but I don't care. On the contrary I revel in it.

There's also angst thrown in the midst for good measures (some chapters are full of it, and it was just wow). I also loved how she portrayed Mulder, and I think the way she made him 'grow up', is fucking brilliant! You can actually see the changes, and the Mulder at the end is just... awesome! I love him. Granted, I love Fox, in particular in the slash I read, but I always thought there was something special in Xanthe's series.

I won't even start to talk about the hotness of the whole thing. Just the mention of this series makes turps33 and me get all hot and bothered *fans self* Yeah, it's kinda our reference, uh sis? Man, I worship these stories!

Xanthe is a goddess... a little like Morticia, in a way. Her stories are intense, and so well written *sigh* She wrote some of my favorite stories ; The Adversary (dark dark dark), Hostage, After, Subterfuge, 24/7 of course, and some others...

Really, if you're into XF and don't know about her (which whould be surprising, mind you) pay a visit to her site, Xanthe, and have a look. If you're just curious, do the same, hopefully, you won't get disappointed *g* You'll find tons of stories, most of them just brilliant ones.

Comments

[alinewrites.livejournal.com]

OK, I'm gonna be a little less enthusiastic here.
First I read 24/7 about 4 times and two me, it's more a sort of... encyclopedia of BDSM than a real story.
Second, this Mulder is not Mulder. No way. The pony stuff? The branding? No.
And to end this, this kind of 24/7 relationship... I don't believe in it. She warned us, btw "it's not real, it's just an erotic fantasy". taken this way it's just great, I love it, really. But otherwise... (ça ressemble davantage à "l'encyclopédie du BDSM en 25 volumes qu'à autre chose!)

The problem with BDSM is that, no matter how many times you write the word "love" in it... It's still not love. The needs that are satisfied there are still pretty neurotic here and I begin to be tired with all those philosophical justifications about "alternative lifestyle". It bothers me. I love BDSM when it's sincere and fucked up. But justify it by saying that it's what Mulder or anyone needs to be saved... No kidding? It's just not credible.

Something else exasperates me: the myth of the "perfect dom" who's always so in control, so cool, so wise, so... Come on, let's get real! This doesn't exist!

That being said, I'm a huge fan of Xanthe and I've been fascinated by the story but the fascination went along with a lot of incredulity and a bit of... I don't know... unease?

IMO, subterfuge is far more convincing and hotter!

[castalie.livejournal.com]

You're the first person I talk with who didn't really got into that series. I knew someone like that existed! lol

I can see why you couldn't get into the story. I really saw it as an erotic fantasy and didn't have a problem with that special angle- and man, as you saw in my entry, I jumped in it... with enthusiasm *eg*

And I really saw love even inside their 24/7 BDSM relationship. Not in the beginning, but as more chapters were posted, as time passed inside the story, I started to see it, and that's when I really begin to get hooked on it.

The myth of the perfect dom being so in control, so cool, so wise... well, I love it even more than it doesn't exist! lol That's why I love reading about it, because it's the idealized notion of a Dom, and at least, I can read it somewhere *g* 24/7 is particular, mind you, but as the erotic fantasy went, yeah, I expected the perfect Dom, and boy did I get it.

For my part, I can't even compare Subterfuge and 24/7 because one is written under a realistic angle, and the other, well like you said, on an erotic fantasy angle. I loved them both, but so differently that I can't really put them on the same category, you know?

Oh boy do I love talking about slash! lol Even when our respective opinions are total opposite *high fives Aline*

[alinewrites.livejournal.com]

24/7 was the main reason why I wrote my own BDSM fic and I took the exactly opposite way... This "club" atmosphere bores me to hell, I wanted something a little less sophisticated and much more violent.

On the other hand, I read it twice!

[castalie.livejournal.com]

You wrote your own BDSM stories after reading 24/7? Now I have an even bigger reason to like Xanthe! lol

[alinewrites.livejournal.com]

Actually, what I didn't like was the "ghetto" atmosphere, the sophistication, the "oh dear, how can you let your slave behave this way...", all these people living in the same world with their slaves, organizing parties... IMO, it's not Skinner- like at all, and I highly doubt that anybody could buckle a collar around Mulder's nake at any rate. So I wanted to write what is, to me, a real tough SM 24/7 relationship.
Ok, that's why everybody dies in the end.

[whitevanilla.livejournal.com]

Hey Castalie~

I don't know if your into HP slash, but I've got a friend who's got a fledgling site and wants to get the word out. The address is www.geocites.com/projectserpentsortia. She'd like some feedback and I thought, since you being an avid reader, would be able to help! Thanks.

[castalie.livejournal.com]

avid reader, uh- I like that *g*

I'm not really into HP but I do read some HP slash from to time, due to my best friend who's definitely into it, so I'll pay a visit to your friend's site, and I'll rec it to said best friend.

[whitevanilla.livejournal.com]

Awesome! I know she'll appreciate it!