"Nation" and Unconsummated Love

[redbrunja]

I recently finished "Nation" which I would have liked more if I hadn't felt like Prachett was on his soapbox (even if I agree with what he's saying) but the ending made me realize (and I'm sorry, I'm not sure how to make this intro spoiler-free without cutting the whole post) that unconsummated romances are the most tragic, in my book.

I'm not sure why.

However, at the end of this book I was mentally shrieking "but they never even got to kiss" and during the Angel episode "A Whole In The World" I was practically throwing the remote at the screen going, "but Fred and Wesley never even got to have sex!"

I don't know why unconsummated love is so much harder for me to deal with than parting and never seeing each other again (although that can rip out the heart on occasion) or one of them dying or both of them dying (which, actually, I typically don't find tragic at all).

Comments

[fairest1.livejournal.com]

Glad you liked it! Figured you'd appreciate the extra copy I had.

While they didn't manage it as humans, they will be together forever as dolphins. THIS IS THE TRUTH.

[redbrunja.livejournal.com]

IT WOULD BE BLASPHEMY TO QUESTION IT.

[lady-with-cats.livejournal.com]

So I'm guessing Romeo and Juliet didn't do it for you?

[redbrunja.livejournal.com]

The first time I watched it, I admit I was all *shocked* but that was because I didn't know they were going to die, and it was the Baz Lutherman version and I was quite young.

But I think lovers dying together is not as tragic (or as satisfying, in a way) as only one lover dying and/or unconsummated love.

[rameena.livejournal.com]

Ive never read Pratchett. I think I tried once and it didnt do it for me, and i havent gone back. But I remember watching Serenity and being anguished that Joss Whedon didnt take his ONE opportunity to let Mal/Inara have hot monkey sex. Or at least a friggin kiss. Come on! So much chemistry and fan fic just isnt enough. I want canon!

[redbrunja.livejournal.com]

Hmmm. If you're ever tempted to try Pratchett again, I would suggest either "Going Postal" or "A Hatful of Sky" which are my favorites.

But I remember watching Serenity and being anguished that Joss Whedon didnt take his ONE opportunity to let Mal/Inara have hot monkey sex. Or at least a friggin kiss. Come on! So much chemistry and fan fic just isnt enough. I want canon!

I don't even have fanfic! I have never been able to find good fanfic for Mal and Inara. I have, like, two fics total that were good enough to put in my memories.

[afigureofspeech.livejournal.com]

Oh that ending. I was not at all pleased with it either. And I have to agree with you on the unconsummated love. It is extremely unsatisfying, to get all of that build up and then none of the payoff.

This (http://autumnflame.deviantart.com/art/Nation-Don-t-Go-Goodbye-100207072) and this (http://autumnflame.deviantart.com/art/Nation-An-Alternate-Future-111184030) made me feel slightly better about it. Slightly.

[redbrunja.livejournal.com]

Oh, that picture! That does make things better! I love how ghostly ghost girl really looks.