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grassangelI like my homosexual sensationalist literature WAY too much.
For a week or so now, I have been torturing you all with how wonderful Making History is. And now, I shall expound in great detail the plot and why (predictably) I love it.
So, please ignore the title for the moment and the cut-text and read on.
Making history is about Michael D. Young, a post-graduate student at Cambridge univeristy whose doctorate is on the controversial subject of Adolf Hitler. His story sandwiches that of the events that directly correlate to his, events he has written about in his thesis and events he didn't know about, but are important to his story anyway.
Michael's in a not-so-steady relationship with Jane, a scientist and has trouble getting along with his mentor. His breifcase is falling apart without CDs chucked at him by one of the campuses resident queers and overflow from his pigeon hole partner.
And it's just one of those days while he's defacing his/HER car he meets Leo Zuckerman, the professor who shares a similar interest with Adolf Hitlet, alebit for totally different reasons and seems to have a unnatural, but later very well explained, obsession.
Events spiral onwards, Jane transfers to Princeton, USA and breaks up with Michael effectively, he reflects on what might have been without Hitler. We have revealed to us that Leo is NOT Leo, he is Axel and his father was a doctor at Auschwitz and he wants to desperately change that so his father may not have the guilt of needlessly murdering thousands of people. And then Axel reveals to us that he's been working on a project which could change history itself.
So, for the first half of the book, we are gently led along, not even knowing what Pup's (never Mikey) thesis is about until Leo appears and we are suddenly thrown into the much promised blurb summary of altering time. Because, combining Jane's permanent male contraceptive, Leo's intense obsession with his father's guilt at Auschwitz plus his invention and Pup's want to do something to thing he is very much in love with, we are thrown, spewing into the second and much adored (by me) second half of the book.
And I mean spewing.
For Michael D. Young is suddenly in Princeton, USA throwing up after a night of drinking, speaking with an English accent where previously he had none and having no clue as to where he is, what he's doing or what anything is.
Here is where we meet a third, one could say fourth if they include Jane as a main character, character called, even though we don't find out for a while, Steve. Micheal (now called Mikey, thank you very much) immeadiately clings to this friend of his and learns exactly what has changed with the never-born Hitler.
And there are a lot of changes.
He's now a philosophy major in Princeton, has never seen England, smokes, has a poster of a movie star in his bedroom (a male one, might I mention) and resides in a world where Germany is a superpower and is currently in cold war with the US, technology is more advanced but social issues are very, very much down the drain.
Amid all this, his sudden change is accent is suspicious and instigates investigation.
So, after doctor's check-up he learns a little bit about this now, then it's off to another interrogation before again, he learns more about the here and now.
It's vastly different to Mikey and it's around about here he learns how messed up the world is now. For instance, homosexuality is a crime and his favourite bands, books and movies never existed. Predictably he tries to convince the person he's latched onto, Steve, his reality.
It's a bit cut short though by the FBI (Or whatever it is in this reality) coming and asking some questions. We get a deeper view at what changed and anyone who knows a little bit about the World Wars will recognise the differences. Anyone who delved a little bit into the history that was actually real in the FMA movie will also be able to see what's different.
And it's actually through all of this that Mikey finally begins to see the influences of his actions and how he might reverse them, especially after being given some useful information by the FBI (unknowingly) and by applying the principle that applies to alternate realities: Things will change but the people generally never will.
He decides to track down Zuckerman/whatever he's called. With the help of Steve of course. Unfortunately, Steve's a bit wary now because he is generally known as a bit... fruity.
And a bit of a stalker, as it turns out that before Michael spewed everywhere he actually hadn't had any contact whatsoever.
Doesn't matter one bit to Michael though (who has now introduced the nickname Pup/Puppy to Steve now) and he forges on with his plan to track Zuckerman down and change history back, or at least back to kind of normal.
Which, while being hampered by the FBI tailing them and a few unrequited emotions running (more on that later, I PROMISE) actually succeds.
Which means, with the help of creepy stalker guy who lugs around camera equipment, a dead rat and sophisticated technology, we arrive back at where we started.
Pretty much.
Story might seem useless when I put it like that, but the character relationship/s in the second half are GORGEOUS. And make me melt in fangirl glee.
We have the Steve/Michael dynamic which is very much adored by me. (Insert fangirling here) Not only because for a large part it's just not visible, but because the moments that are, are so very sweet.
There's only one kiss, a few ruffles of the hair, a few stopping hands on shoulders and one scene in which a radio is stopped and the scene ends right there. Oh, and a few text messages.
Steve is absolutely adorable. Friendly but kind of creepy when it's announced he's a stalker, but also so painfully aware of what trouble lies ahead and what prosecution might as well.
Every word is telling for his part of the relationship/part in the book. Skim anything except for the script based chapter and you might miss something. It's telling he's rather devoted and rather smitten with Michael and would do anything for him in the name of love. (Which he does, but I'm not telling)
Michael is absolutely hillarious. His downright ENGLISHNESS (= adorable, because who doesn't like English guys?) and the stuttery humour and lies he tells. The supreme fascination and intelligence behind it all. He's a character you've got to read to understand the fullness of character.
He's rather plain and has no encoutrements but what he does have borders on indescribable.
Leo's part, while not relationship-ish in anyway is still gorgeous. His viewpoints of Auschwitz and his life story feel right, even if some of them are a bit... urgh.
My fangirl is telling me to shut up with all this literary nonsense and get to the good bits about why it likes Steve/Micheal.
For one thing, it's so very subtle. Okay, maybe not, especially as Pup asks if he's gay near the beginning of the second half and then has Steve calling him Pup for a while. (Look! Pet names!)
Anyway, it's at least physically subtle. It kind of has to be. But from going from fanfics where one is literally hugging and pouncing on the other, this sedate and quite relationship makes me wobbly at the knees.
Of course, there is again the unmistakeable thrill of witnessing a forbidden relationship unfold and the minute telling clues.
Did I mention the one kiss, the one cut off scene, the text messages, hair ruffling and hands on shoulders? Plus the telling glances on Steve's side?
Plus there's the bit where it turns to jelly at the end, with Michael going on and on about how love transcends everything, even though we already know that. (Kudos to you binaryalchemist.)
It's worth the reunion though, with Michael talking about fucking in chocolate and Steve being whole and asking about Mardi Gras and Ecstasy.
The whole story is VERY VERY comparable to the FMA fandom though, especially when alternate realities/universes come into play and dopplegangers and humanitarian atrocities and forbidden love and transcending love. (Only for slash fans though)
I seriously wish there was a fandom for this book, or at least some writing for the FMA fandom which is as good and as great as this is.
And yes, I shall continue to call this homosexual sensationalist literature, simply because it is (published in 1996 when it was big news to Come Out. Yes, I remember then even though I was six. (I have my reasons for remembering)) and because it pokes fun at me and my fandom and my involvement in it.
That and it's fun to say.
Plus, I like to draw attention to the fact it has a cute and fluffy ending with two guys being the couple. n___n
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Date: 2007-04-15 03:03 pm (UTC)Who's the author? I'll have to see if my craptastic library has this in. It sounds awesome.
or at least some writing for the FMA fandom which is as good and as great as this is.
Ah, but if any of us were that good, we probably wouldn't be writing fanfiction anymore, would we? ;)
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Date: 2007-04-15 03:21 pm (UTC)And all I'm asking is lots of plot and subtle kissing/relationship stuff. Not that much.
I think.
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Date: 2007-04-16 03:47 pm (UTC)Oh, I dunno. I think if Ed is involved subtlety may very well be impossible. ;)
I have a Roy/Al fic floating around in my head that the relationship aspect of the it will likely be rather subtle..if I ever get around to writing it.
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Date: 2007-04-16 04:05 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-04-16 04:11 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-04-16 04:18 pm (UTC)Which reminds me. I need to post my icons~
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Date: 2007-04-16 04:34 pm (UTC)Yesh, postage! *pokes*(
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Date: 2007-04-16 04:42 pm (UTC)And I will.
Soon as I tackle my flist though.
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Date: 2007-04-18 06:32 am (UTC). . . ^_~
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Date: 2007-04-18 08:09 am (UTC)Well, trying not to anyway.
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Date: 2007-04-18 06:26 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-04-19 02:53 am (UTC)I be posting icons up, you interested?
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Date: 2007-04-19 03:44 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-04-18 04:07 pm (UTC)Chapter 11 is about 75% done...but it's giving me so much trouble! *wails* *goes to work anyway*
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Date: 2007-04-18 06:27 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-04-18 06:55 pm (UTC)The good news is I managed to get past the part I was struggling with...the bad news is I'm now stuck at a part I need medical advice for to make sure I don't botch it. XD I'm waiting on approval for the
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Date: 2007-04-19 02:51 am (UTC)And er... wouldn't it be easier to just call up a medical healthline, stating you are looking for information for writing a story?
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Date: 2007-04-19 02:52 pm (UTC)"Personally, as a nurse, I don't feel comfortable answering questions of this nature. I think it could open up a whole new issue of people potentially using this kind of informations for reasons other than fiction. As such, I'm going to have to say that this isn't something I can allow. Sorry we can't be of assitance and best of luck with your writing. :)"
I totally understand her concern, and I can't blame her really, but it does put me in a bit of a pickle. I'm going to hit up
And yeah, it would be easier to call someone, but I'm Horribly Shy and add to that the fact that my question is a bit bloody in nature and...yeah. Even if the person I speak to DOES believe I'm actually a writer and not some sort of crazy, I still have a bitch of a time articulating what I'm looking for when nervous. XD
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Date: 2007-04-19 05:15 pm (UTC)I might ask my mum about those, but logic (and actually rifling through some of those dictionaries) suggest the blow to the head would probably induce a concussion. A few hours of unconciousness at the most, but dizziness and confusion afterwards.
There might be haemorraghing, which would be bad; there could be blood clots, also bad; skull fractures, again bad but not quite as serious as the other two.
Neck injuries are tricky though. If the wound is to the side, it's generally harmless, side being the portion of neck not covered when you press your chin to your chest.
Bleeding and lots of concern, but not that much damage.
Getting cut under then chin, especially fairly deeply is very... tricky. If it's a stab, then there's chance it missed something vital, but a swipe is something totally different.
Again, I'll ask my mum, telling her it's for someone who's writing a story.
All depends on how hard they were hit and with what force.
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Date: 2007-04-19 05:25 pm (UTC)It'll be a swipe, not a stab, and location isn't particularly important, it just wouldn't be on the back of the neck.
I figured a blow to the head wouldn't be enough to kill, but I wanted to make sure it'd do more than just daze him. Otherwise I'd have problems. XD
Thanks for taking the time to ask, and I might look into one of those medical dictionaries. It's a pain for me to get to the library, but it'd be worth it.
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Date: 2007-04-20 01:17 am (UTC)The oesophagus, spine and main artery are the main things the body needs to protect.
Muscles and veins go on the outside, it's a fact of the human body. Unfortunately, all the blood which has to go to the brain has to come back down and that's not so good.
There was a girl who'd been attacked by a sea lion in the news recently. The sea lion's tooth sunk in about a centimetre away from a vital area.
There was still a lot of blood though and she had to go to hospital anyway.
So your swipe doesn't even need to be really deep for it to cause a lot of blood. Your main concern might be how much muscle is affected.
I really don't want to think about the actual slicing, so...
A swipe to the neck guarantees there will be plenty of panic, blood loss, depending on the amount, might be enough to make a person weak or dizzy or possibly even to faint. Most anything serious will cause a person to pass out, if only from pain or because they're squeamish. In this case, from loss of blood seems more likely.
Reaction: Immediate reaction would be to bind the wound or at least put pressure on it. The procedures for tending to cuts hasn't changed much over the decades. Once they got to a hostpital, if it was serious enough, stitches, otherwise probably bandage with a dressing and maybe keep them in overnight so they can check in the morning.
*still needs to check with her mum*
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Date: 2007-04-19 03:38 pm (UTC)Yayness! What kind of medical info? Two of my friends are nursing majors and they banter on a lot; I might be able to help. :D
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Date: 2007-04-19 03:40 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-04-19 04:42 pm (UTC)You're more than welcome to take a stab at it, though it is a bit spoilerish for chapter 11. ;)
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Date: 2007-04-15 06:00 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-04-16 04:47 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-04-16 04:55 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-04-16 05:12 am (UTC)Oh and I finished off the icons I made with that character in them. *points to your icon*
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Date: 2007-04-16 05:13 am (UTC)Zukki icons! Yayayay! :D :D :D
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Date: 2007-04-16 05:26 am (UTC)no subject
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Date: 2007-04-16 01:32 pm (UTC)no subject
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