Friday Fics Fix - Let's Do This

Shall we stand up for what's right some more? Sounds like a plan to me!

And who better to help with that, really, than the Avengers? (Yes I'm obsessed with Marvel, but, honestly, you should know this by now!)

This time around we also have Daredevil - superhero; skilled lawyer; and, yes, blind.

Matt/Daredevil is a grown man, but ableism has a tendency to mean that people treat you like a child. But when you actually need help, they don't give a sh**. Honestly, people can be jerks.

via GIPHY

The Avengers though, they know how to be good allies to disabled people.

(Hint: it involves treating people like people.)

via GIPHY

So, in my ever-continuing search to use fanfiction to change the world I give you:

Avengers v. Ableism by whitchry9

Go out and be awesome guys ;)

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Comics Wrap-Up - Any Dream Will Do

I actually don't have much comics-y goings-on for you this week, but I did read a couple of single issues:

Single Issues

I read Alganon #1 - a one-shot from DC.

This is actually based on some sort of free game? I'd never actually heard of it before, but the art was fairly cool.

The plot was a bit 'and now, for no reason, here's this monster we didn't mention before!' but I assume that's because of the free-based-ness.

I also read Dreamless... which is kind of... stunningly beautiful.

Seriously, every panel was like an oil painting.

And the whole concept of an American girl and a Japanese boy sharing one alternating life - when he's awake, she's asleep and dreams his life, and vice versa - and then just wanting to be together because they were MADE FOR EACH OTHER GODDAMMIT! ;)

So, yeah... I enjoyed that one! Lol.

Amazon link (full graphic novel): UK - US

And that's it, dearest nerdlets! This week was short on the comics-y-ness *shrugs* - happens sometimes!

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My Diverse Welsh Authors TBR

Okie dokes my dearest nerdlets - it's time to combine two of my obsessions, diverse authors and Welsh authors.

A lot of these actually came from a post on black Welsh authors I read the other day, which I will link to here.

So, I give you my modest TBR list of diverse Welsh authors:

Ash on a Young Man's Sleeve by Dannie Abse

Amazon: UK - US

This is a semi-autobiographical novel by Jewish Welsh author and poet Dannie Abse. If you've never read any of his poetry - go. Go and look it up. Read. READ NOW.

dat's love by Leonora Brito

Amazon: UK - US

This is a short-story collection by a black Cardiffian author, and looks pretty awesome.

Sugar & Slate by Charlotte Williams

Amazon: UK - US

This is an autobiography which explores the intersection of Welsh and Guyanese identities - which sounds pretty cool.

Telling Tales by Patience Agbabi

Amazon: UK - US

This is like a re-telling of The Canterbury Tales I think? So I'd probably better read the original first!

Asylum: Docu-Drama by Eric Ngalle Charles

Amazon: UK

This bills itself as a docu-drama(?) based on the true stories of asylum seekers in Wales.

Vicious by Bevin Magama

Amazon: UK - US

This is an autobiography of a Zimbabwean immigrant to Wales, and the tale of his time in the Zimbabwean military.

Proud by Gareth 'Alfie' Thomas

Amazon: UK - US

This is the autobiography of Welsh rugby star Gareth Thomas - the first professional sportsman in a team sport to come out as gay, national superstar, and nice local boy t'boot.

Fingersmith by Sarah Waters

Amazon: UK - US

I only realised recently that Sarah Waters is Welsh! And I really want to read this, and possibly some of her other books, because F/F historical fiction dammit!!!!

Like this post? Try these:

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Mini-Review! - Giovanni's Room by James Baldwin

Title: Giovanni's Room

Author: James Baldwin

Genre: Classics (Modern), LGBTQ+ (M/F; M/M)

Amazon: UK - USA

Verdict:

This was an exceptionally good book.

It will however tear your heart out and then show it to you. Yep. That is the level of feels we are dealing with here.

(HFBGIETLJHIOETMHBL!!!!!! WHYYYYYY?!?!?!)

So, this about a young American, David, who gets involved with an Italian bartender, Giovanni, in Paris.

Apparently this book was controversial (to say the least) in the 1950s, when it was written, not only because it was about a romantic relationship between men, but also because it was a black author writing about white men.

And for that fact alone, you should read this.

Because James Baldwin refused to be restricted in the people he could write about - he refused to play it safe and only ever write about black people, as he was expected to.

(And you know me guys, I like a rebel!)

David, as a character, isn't all that likeable. Putting it plainly, he's a bit of a jerk.

But you can still see his perspective - he's a selfish jerk, but that's because of the internalised homophobia and ideas of masculinity that he won't let himself let go of.

And, in his own way, he really does love Giovanni. I'm not sure whether that makes things better or worse, you'll have to read it and decide for yourself.

But Giovanni... argh! He totally broke my heart. Like HOW COULD YOU DO THAT TO HIM?!?! *Ahem.* Sorry.

There are a couple of issues with this book:

It can be very dismissive, to the degree of disgust, towards men who are perceived to be more feminine in their mannerisms. 

And it's very offensive to the transgender women who hang around the bar.

It actually describes them as disgusting, which is obviously NOT GOOD, and transphobic.

And the attitudes towards women wanting equality (I mean, how dare they?!) are clearly that of a narrow-minded, and fairly misogynistic, man from the 1950s. Sorry, I call them as I see them.

BUT, for all that: this is a good book. And it was an exceptionally important stepping stone for diversity.

I'm not giving it carte blanche for jerkiness, this book was written in the 1950s, and it bl**dy well shows.

But I will be looking out for more James Baldwin books - once I've recovered from the feels after what happened to poor Giovanni. *Sniffles*

Oh, and quick warning: there's a lot of implied sexual assault, and some implied rape.

There are also some male/female sex scenes. And I think there might've been swearing? Maybe? I really need to pay more attention to these things...

So that's Giovanni's Room - not a perfect book, by any means, but an important one, and largely worth the read - the writing is quality, and the offensiveness is annoying and harmful, but brief (thank God.)

Buy Now UK – Buy Now USA – Goodreads

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Mini-Review! - God Help the Child by Toni Morrison

Title: God Help the Child

Author: Toni Morrison

Genre: Contemporary, Magic Realism* (*ish)

Amazon: UK - USA

Verdict:

This was a pretty damned awesome book.

And, I'm told, by pretty much everyone, that Toni Morrison's other books are even better - so I'm totally going to check out more!

This follows Bride, who always felt unloved by her mother, Sweetness, as she tries to deal with her falling-apart relationship with boyfriend Booker.

It's really quite difficult to explain what this book is about - except childhood, and how it relates to everything else.

Because Bride's childhood, Booker's, even Sweetness', affects everything that comes after. And in Rain, the girl adopted by the hippie couple, we see the current face of a traumatised child.

Huge warning guys: child abuse is a big theme here.

There is child abuse of every type in this book - emotional, physical, and sexual. There's even some child murder.

It's handled well - but I figured I'd let you know in case that's going to be a problem for you.

There's also a butt-tonne of swearing.

Generally though? This book is fantastically well written, and infinitely readable.

Buy Now UK – Buy Now USA – Goodreads

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Nerd Church - We Are Strong

It's been a rough week for millions of people. There is nothing I can say to change that.

America's new president is a symptom of the worst of what people are capable of. There's always been bad cr*p in this world, my dearest nerdlets.

BUT life is not all grimness and despair. I promise you.

Because just as there are millions of people who have done something terrible, there are millions of people who will stand up and make themselves heard, make themselves counted, and make the world a better place.

Sometimes it seems like I spend a lot of time on this blog combatting the ills of the world.

But if that's what I have to do, I will do it. I will keep typing until it's not needed any more.

Because I'll let you into a secret - we are strong.

All those who are scared, who are worried - we are here for you.

All those who are marginalised, victimised, persecuted - we will stand up for what's right in your name.

via GIPHY

There is good in this world. I strongly believe that.

Please never give up, because there are people out there sending you all the love that they can.

There are people who care.

There are people who will do everything that they can to turn this world around. Join us. And make the world beautiful.




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• Friday Fics Fix! - For You, America

Friday Fics Fix - For You, America

OK, I think we've all had about enough of the curse of 2016 now.

But on the plus side, 2016 is also the year we're not gonna let the as*holes win. We may have lost some serious battles, but the war? The war is ours guys.

(And if you have no idea what I'm talking about? Go look at... pretty much any news website or channel.)

So, let's have a piece of fanfiction that shows the good in the world, yes?

(And if you think that what happened in the US this week is good, then we can't be friends sweetheart.)

via GIPHY

You know the hero that somehow always ends up pulling me through the sh**? It's Captain America.

Now, Cap, in the Marvel Universe (aside from the recent Hydra Nazification, which I refuse to accept as canon because - no,) is a figure of hope and rebellion.

Yep, Cap's a rebel. Hence Civil War. #TrueStory.

via GIPHY

Cap's also great at pointing out when people are subverting the symbols that they claim they're standing up for.

And Cap? Well, the guy who, in his very first appearance, punched Hitler in the face, would probably be smacking Trump right now. (And would never turn into a Hydra Nazi #JustSaying.)

via GIPHY

So, let's have Cap standing up to some homophobia shall we?

This fic is a little clunky in places, but read it through to the end. It's worth it, if only for the last 2 lines.

So, this week's fic is:

Darling, Where's My Suit? by honestlydarkprincess

Enjoy, I'll see you next week for more fanfiction.

Remember that there are millions of people throughout the world wishing you all the luck and love in the world right now.






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