(Untitled)

[wildcolumbine]

THE OUTLAND

Genre: AU
Rating: NC-17 for sex scenes and language
Feedback: Any and all is welcome
Disclaimer: These are Annie Proulx's brilliant original characters and her story, and I have treated it and them (and her) with as much respect as I can muster.

This story is for Canstandit, with thanks for her ongoing support and help.
This particular

Comments

[mariez65]

I've read this twice now because I wanted to savor every word the second time. I hope you know what an amazing gift you have and I thank you for sharing it.

You've shown us that ordinary men are capable of extraordinary things. Jack, with his endless capacity for compassion and forgiveness and, above all, love. And Ennis. My God, reading this:

..Take a good look, boys, says your daddy, his voice mean and hard, that's what faggots like him get and that's what they deserve, that filth.... take me home, but there is no home any more, no safe haven, just the horror that you will always carry with you.

To have it brought home so clearly that this is what Ennis has seen and heard for all these years during what is an act of love. How did he withstand such unbearable anguish? I guess he really didn't. And then to hear this, finally: "Help me. Please, Jack." Oh my

[wildcolumbine]

Marie, that's so right about Jack's words being as much for his father as for Ennis. In the OS argument scene, Ennis is the hapless recipient for all of Jack's lifetime of frustration, I feel, not just at Ennis but at his father and the world in general. Just as Ennis's actions are shaped by his father's treatment, so are Jack's.

I think that the Earl scene is always in the background of Ennis's mind but I feel he managed to keep it well hidden enough to enjoy being with Jack. On this crucial occasion I wanted him to have to think about everything he'd been told as Jack makes love to him, to have to confront his demons as he is doing the one thing he "shouldn't".

[mariez65]

Ahh...thank you! Yes that makes a lot of sense. Ennis really did have the ability to keep things well hidden, didn't he? At least until someone, in this case, Jack, actually says the words out loud. But we know that even those deeply hidden thoughts and feelings took a tremendous toll on him - they were hidden, but still there. Ennis is a very hard nut to crack in terms of being a difficult character for many writers (and readers) to understand - but I'm very impressed with your ability to truly "connect" with him. And I couldn't agree more about the OS argument scene. It's rare that we have the opportunity to see Jack work out his own father issues while in OMT's presence, and as I said, I look forward to seeing that. Sorry for rambling once more - Thanks again! :)

[tmn1966]

As I was reading this, I thought that I couldn't have been reading anything more perfect. I am very much like Ennis in that I know what I want to say(something profound and meaningful or at least somewhat articulate) but can't seem to get the words to come out the right way.

I've erased and re-typed my comments so many times here, I guess the best thing to do is keep it simple. Your story touches my very being. Thank you.

I hope that you are able to work through your grief about Heath. Missing him always seems to hit me at the oddest times. It's an ache that seems like nothing will ever take away.

Thank you again for sharing your wonderful writing.

Teri

[wildcolumbine]

Thank you, Teri. Inarticulate Ennis is a lovely character to write, although difficult at times. I'm always grateful that Annie Proulx gave Jack the gift of the gab!

And your comments were beautifully said.

The outland

[argentine65]

How difficult life had been for them both, this chapter is about Ennis, I can understand with the father he had that he did not want to be queer, he trayed to resist the most but in the other hand there is Jack, his queer love. This chapter has been hard but is important for they relation and I guess it was Rob "knowing" about them that was the trigger. It is a amazing story which I miss when there is sometime between chapter. I Thank you so much. Martha

Re: The outland

[wildcolumbine]

Thank you, Martha. I'll try not to leave so much time between chapters in the future :)

The Outland 10

[cwby30]

Mornin'.

Well, so well done. After all the years of fighting who he is, Ennis realized he was fighting a losing battle. Liked Jack's use of Ennis' own words, If you can't fix it you gotta stand it. Was concerned that Ennis had forgotten those days and weeks of sitting with a comatose Jack, talking to him, baring his soul to him. Perhaps that was the fertile soil in which the seed of understanding was sown, and now they are both harvesting the fruits of their combined labors.

Jack only wished he knew how to quit Ennis, but in his heart knew he never could. Glad he held on for all those years, so he could be there when Ennis accepted even if unwillingly who he is, who they are.

Ennis really has reached the outland, the far spaces of his soul. Now with Jack's help he can heal.

Thanks again.

Re: The Outland 10

[wildcolumbine]

Nice observation about Ennis talking to comatose Jack. There are things he said in that relative safety which he wouldn't otherwise have allowed himself to say. As you put it, fertile ground.

[big_heart_june]

I have no clever or thought provoking comment for you, just one straight from the heart...this story, your writing, your take on Ennis, how you write Jack's complete and utter love for Ennis is deeply touching and fills me with awe. It is SO beautiful and I long for each new update.

Thank you so so much. :)

[wildcolumbine]

Thank you so much for that lovely comment and for continuing to read my story. It is a pleasure to write it.