http://www.fanfiction.net/s/5835130/1/The_Great_Unknown
Official Description: Edward’s life changes in a way he never imagined. The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy. M.L. King, Jr Eclipse AU
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annanabanana says: Losing a loved one, a friend, a mentor, will change a person. For better or worse, through grief and pain and necessity, it is impossible to survive such a tragedy and remain the same. This mournful metamorphosis is exactly what ScarlettLetters explores in her AU post-Eclipse story The Great Unknown.
“The past few years have been something I never would have believed I would be able to survive. I still don’t know how I managed it. I hope that you would be proud of the man I’ve tried to become through it all.”
When the Cullens lose the keystone of their family, the emotional shrapnel is varied and destructive. They each process the trauma differently as the bonds between them stretch, bend and fray. While such a loss is always unwelcome and hurtful, everyone reacts to the grief in different ways. Working through that grief, Edward becomes a stronger, more self-confident version of himself, no longer able to rely only on someone else’s faith in him. Told in Edward’s POV, we also get to read his letters to Carlisle, his father, as the story progresses. Reading his voice in that way is poignant and heart-wrenching.
“Dear Father,
“. . . I decided to be your son, Father. The son you made me into. I have tried to live by your example even when faced with impossible situations.”
The story, while seemingly about irreplaceable loss, is truly about growth. In a subtle way, ScarlettLetters manages to keep the tone of the story one of hope. It’s about adapting and evolving — how a friendship, a family, a romance, can shift and change and grow through emotional pain. It is still an Edward and Bella love story, and their dynamic, while canon-ly familiar, matures with supportive, honest trust and strength.
“. . . Bella. I could write volumes on her, Father. If there was ever a creature that made me question absolutely all my preconceived notions and beliefs, it is her.”
Many of us in the fandom who write struggle and often fail at something ScarlettLetters accomplishes with seeming ease. Her style is sincere and simply elegant. She tells what should unequivocally be a sad story with hope, a painful loss with care and consideration. She captures the quiet beauty in the grieving process and its path to change. As in reality, no matter what it may feel like when a loved one is no longer there, the world continues to turn. Life always moves forward.
Along with the void of sadness left in the family, we also see those real glimpses of everyday life — simple joys, growing pains, power shifts, sibling rivalry, love.
“. . . I wouldn’t want you to think our life in Hanover wasn’t happy, though. I have many wonderful memories . . .”
We see them fall apart, yes, but we also get to see them come back together. Some of the pieces have changed shape, but they are still a family; I trust ScarlettLetters to make them fit for me. You should trust her too and go read it right now.
shell29bell says: I’ve had Scarlettletters on my Author alert since Wild Swan owned my soul last summer, because I’m always eager to read what my favorite authors are writing. So when I got an email telling me she had posted a new fic, I may have done a little hop and squee action.
I have to confess though, that despite my fangirl devotion and inspired summary, I almost didn’t read The Great Unknown. It’s labeled Drama/Tragedy and after just coming off an angst bender, I didn’t think I could handle it. Tragedy is code, at least to me, for main character death. I’m not a huge fan of those. But as some of you may know, Scarlettletters is an awesome author and all around nice person, so I dug out my big girl panties and DM’d her on twitter.
I asked her who dies, silently praying it wasn’t Bella. She responded and I thought, ‘Piece of cake! I can handle this.’ So, I opened this new fic and began to read the captivating first chapter.
Several minutes later, I sat sobbing in front of my computer. I should have never doubted her ability to make me feel something so strongly through her writing that I cried.
I felt the grief, felt the family fracturing under the weight of loss and despair and I cried like I had lost someone of my own.
It was awesome!
It’s only 5 chapters in, but Scarlettletters has already made me feel connected to every one of her characters. We read as Edward writes letters to the lost family member and see through flashbacks and present day how the family has slowly begun to heal and come back together after being apart. Their relief and love are almost palpable as they become a family again and begin moving forward into the great unknown.
To say I’m anxiously awaiting the next update would be an understatement. At a time when I’ve become apathetic towards most fics I’m thankful to once again feel that excited pull I thought was gone. It’s the highest rec I can give.
WindyCityWonder says: Annanabanana basically nailed it. The Great Unknown is simply a brilliant piece of AU. I mentioned earlier the difficulty in having to write how awesome something is but being unable to as you are overwhelmed by the awesome. Thats me. Right now. With this story. From the plot to the characters, the words, the pain, the love… it’s impossible not to get swept up in Scarlettletters’ stellar storytelling.
For me, one of the best parts of this fandom is finding those explorations of “what if?” The Great Unknown is one of the most beautiful examples of this I have had the pleasure of reading. One possibility, one loss, that could easily skew the series as we know it, and Scarlettletters does a far beyond wonderful job of taking us on that potential journey.
TGU is definitely not a story for the faint of heart, but it can’t be qualified as merely a drama. It transcends. There is such an undeniable presence of love, family, loyalty, and growth as a direct result of an epic tragedy, but it offers the reader both an emotional and intense ride. Hats off to my glamazon twin on this one. It’s just genius. I’m completely addicted and trust when I say you will be as well. Off to read, babies. Now.
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