Gentle On My Mind

Gentle on My Mind, is a controversial series of Professionals Bodie/Doyle stories by Kathy Keegan aka Jane of Australia. The last book was written by Joana Dey.
"Gentle On My Mind" is a disability fic, as well as an example of the de-aging trope, and with the sexual element, a story that many fans found troubling.
==Summaries==
From the publisher: 
One fan's summary: 
==The Series==
From here:
* Gentle on My Mind #1 (synopsis as printed in "Life Goes On": "Newly released from hospital, Ray goes home ... to a new home with Bodie. Their friends from CI5 are most supportive, especially when Bodie is still at work, and in harm's way. Ray's uncle invites them for a short holiday on the farm "out west," and Ray rediscovers motorbikes. Slowly, he's regaining a sense of self and purpose, and filling in the blanks in his memory, with new memories.")
* Gentle on My Mind #2 (synopsis as printed in "Life Goes On": "Here is the "holiday in Rome" chapter, where the high point of the story is the two weeks in Italy where Ray's horizons are broadening. He's working again, at a sports club — Bodie just gives him all the space he needs to grow and learn. Then some men CI5 are searching for turn up at the very club where Ray is working... ")
* Gentle on My Mind #3 (synopsis as printed in "Life Goes On": "In this chapter, Ray really is getting his feet back under him. He's spending more time at CI5, and he's studying for a new job under the watchful eye of George Cowley. Imagine Ray and Macklin as pals and allies! But Towser is not so nice to be around, and Bodie's work is taking him into danger.")
* Gentle On My Mind #4 (synopsis as printed in "Life Goes On": "It's Christmas... and Ray is back at work. He's developing in every way, and not only is he "aware" of women, well, women are aware of him too! Bodie is amused, but the situation blows up when a girl makes a heavy pass not at Ray, but at Bodie. Meanwhile, Murphy's about to become a father, and Brian Macklin, Ray's good friend and sometime tutor, is ailing.") (printed in the zine, Encore!)
* Gentle on My Mind #5 (synopsis as printed in "Life Goes On": "Ray and Bodie are back at work, full time ... busy, productive, positive and optimistic. In fact, they're working so hard that the time has come for a good vacation. They take the opportunity to go out to Uncle Albert's farm, where Ray has his horse. And then... as always, trouble. Bodie and Ray do some detective work, and they uncover a snake pit of trouble that will land Bodie in the hospital... and Ray behind the wheel of a car, driving on the open road, for the first time since the accident where he almost died.") (printed in the zine, Encore!)
* Gentle on My Mind #6 (Life Goes On by Joana Dey)
* Omnibus #1 (contains books #1, #2, #3)
* Omnibus #2 (contains books #4 and #5)
==From the Writer==
From the editorial of the second volume: 
==Excerpt==
From chapter/novel one," page 8. Doyle's mental age is between 7 and 9, his physical age 34:
:"[...Bodie] turned to see Ray, clad in the green brush cotton, stretching brown, supple limbs over his head.
:"Tousled and ridiculously beautiful with the innocence of the very young, he came to be cuddled and wanted to be kissed too. Bodie had held him so rarely since the accident, and crushed him in a fierce embrace until he yelped. "Mum says I have to go to bed now?"
:"Bodie says so too," Bodie said firmly. "You couldn't stay awake down there." He kissed the soft, smiling mouth again. "You taste of toothpaste."
:"Can't taste you at all," Ray complained. "Shoulda kissed you before." He gave another huge yawn. "M'tired." But he cuddled closer, holding on tight. Bodie's hands stroked every inch of smooth bare back, petting the lovely, muscular little buttocks, too late realising that Ray was becoming aroused. "M'awful hard, Bodie," the husky voice murmured against his neck. "Hurts a bit. Sort of aches. Do I have to do it in the bathroom like usual?" The green eyes were anxious as he lifted his head. "I do that so Mum won't know."
:"Abruptly Bodie could barely speak. "Oh, sweetheart, you don't have to hide that from me, do you? What would you like?"
:"Remember--" Ray was rosy and breathless. "D'you remember the way we used to play in bed, before? I miss it something awful. Get all hard just remembering what we did."
:"Of course I remember," Bodie said huskily. "I remember all the time, and it makes me just as hard. We'll play like that again when we've moved house. But for now... We can play a little bit, but only if you're quiet. Promise to be quiet? If Mum hears she'll get an awful shock, won't she?"
==Issue 1==
Gentle on My Mind 1 was published in 1987 and contains 125 pages.
From the zine: "Not for general sale; get it for a friend... get it from a friend... Credit where it's due:
The idea behind this story belongs to 'Pegasus' this is one you can't blame on Kathy! The photos originated with Laura — of course!"
From a flyer: "Newly released from hospital, Ray goes home ... to a new home with Bodie. Their friends from CI5 are most supportive, especially when Bodie is still at work, and in harm's way. Ray's uncle invites them for a short holiday on the farm "out west," and Ray rediscovers motorbikes. Slowly, he's regaining a sense of self and purpose, and filling in the blanks in his memory, with new memories. But Bodie's job brings trouble for them both, and before this chapter is out there's been danger, Bodie is injured, and Ray has learned the hard way hor to "think on his feet" all over again. 125pp, illustrated with photographs, many rare. flyer 
From another Nut Hatch flyer: "GENTLE ON MY MIND by Kathy Keegan: Ray Doyle has one brush with disaster too many, but gets a glorious second chance at life with Bodie. And the world is a beautiful place, seen through the innocent eyes of one who is ten years old. From here, Ray can only grow, and it is Bodie’s intention to nurture him with love and patience. First story of a series that has become a great favourite. 125pp., A4, full size type, coil bound."
Image:gentle1cover.jpg|cover of v.1, first printing
Image:gentle1text.jpg|sample text, first printing
Image:gentleonmymind.jpg| variation of cover for issue #1
Image:gentle1-2.jpg| cover of v.1, a later edition? 
==Issue 2==
Gentle on My Mind 2 was published in 1988 and contains 170 pages.
From a flyer: "Here is the "holiday in Rome" chapter, where the high point of the story is the two weeks in Italy where Ray's horizons are broadening. He's working again, at a sports club — Bodie just gives him all the space and "rope" he needs to stretch every day, go as far as he can, grow and learn. And then some men CI5 are searching for turn up at the very club where Ray is working... the plot thickens fast! 170pp, illustrated." flyer 
From a Nut Hatch flyer: "GENTLE ON MY MIND Chapter Two by Kathy Keegan. IRA fugitives ... the splendours of the Eternal city ... a trauma for Cowley that could spell doom for CI5. Ray blossoms like rose, and Bodie is more in love than ever as he grows. Ray has his problems to face, and he overcomes them in his own way, leaving Bodie proud. But John Coogan has reappeared on the scene, and the danger is very real indeed -- for Ray as well as for George Cowley. 170pp. A4, full size type, coil bound."
Image:gentle2cover.jpg|cover of v.2
Image:gentle2text.jpg|sample text
 
==Issue 3==
Gentle on My Mind 3 was published in 1990 and contains 167 pages. It contains several black and white publicity shots of the two actors.
From a flyer: "In this chapter, Ray really is getting his feet back under him. He's spending more time at, and with, CI5, and he's studying for a new job, under the watchful eye of George Cowley. Imagine Ray and Macklin as pals and allies! But Towser is not so nice to be around, and Bodie's work is taking him into danger. Ray is "awake" again, and learning to deal with the fact that Bodie does a dangerous job ... in fact, it's Bodie who's not happy about it! 180pp, illustrated." 
From a Nut Hatch flyer: "GENTLE ON MY MIND Chapter Three by Kathy Keegan. "Ray is back at work after a long time away from CI5. He may not be in his old job but he is part of the team, subject to its rules, governed by its regulations. It’s a traumatic time for Bodie, who has resigned himself to Ray’s retirement, grown comfortable with his life the way it was. Now, ray must be allowed to grow if he can. He deserves the chance, despite the consequences. Life is a learning experience, especially for Ray, and not all the lessons are pleasant. There’s the CI5 physical, which one in Ray’s job can pas easily in the gym. But what of the psyche aspect? Kate Ross is away. Her replacement is Roger McFarlane. Not Bodie’s favourite human being. There’s Brian Macklin, whose methods Ray does not agree with in his professional capacity. And Towser, who does not agree with Ray in any capacity, personal or private. There’s a nuclear physicist, Eckberg, the target of PLA attention, who may not live long enough to attend his conference. Soon enough, Bodie begins to wish Ray had never made the decision to return to work, but Ray is stubborn and determined, and has the support of Cowley, who intends to see just how far 4.5 can go. How far can Ray go? How far should he? Bodie is not sure. 170pp. A4, full size type, coil bound."
Image:gentle3cover.jpg|cover of v.3
Image:gentle3text.jpg|sample text
 
==Issue 4==
Gentle on My Mind 4 was published in 1991 and contains 54 pages. It was in Encore! #1.
 
From a flyer: "It's Christmas ... and Ray is back at work. He's developing in every way, and not only is he "aware" of women, well, women are aware of him too! Bodie is amused, but the situation blows up when a girl makes a heavy pass not at Ray, but at Bodie. Meanwhile, Murphy's about to become a father, and Brian Macklin, Ray's good friend and sometime tutor, is ailing. The problem runs in families. It's arthritis, and the situation with Towser is not making Brian's life any easier. Feel-good fiction at its best and more to come ..." flyer 
From "Encore!'s" flyer: "Ray is still growing, learning and developing. Largely out of Bodie's care and jurisdiction now, he is under the constant barrage of new information, ideas and viewpoints. What will he make of the world — and what will it make of him? Bodie cannot know; but he can see Ray growing, even changing. For a long time, Bodie wondered what would happen if Ray noticed women...but now, women have noticed Ray, which is not quite the same thing! A chain of not-quite-chance events leads Bodie and Ray a merry dance. Meanwhile, Murphy is about to be a father. And where does tennis pro Jenny Niven fit into all this?"
Image:gentle4text.jpg|first page of chapter four
==Issue 5==
Gentle on My Mind 5 was published in September 1994 and contains 105 pages. It was in Encore! #2.
 
From the publisher's website: "Ray and Bodie are back at work, full time ... busy, productive, positive and optimistic. In fact, they're working so hard that the time has come for a good vacation. They take the opportunity to go out to Uncle Albert's farm, where Ray has his horse, and where Bodie finds he has the mixed feelings that come from difficult memories. And then ... as always, trouble. Albert is having trouble with petty thieves, but even he couldn't suspect the culprit. So Bodie and Ray do some detective work, and they uncover a snakepit of trouble that will land Bodie in an emergency room ... and Ray behind the wheel of a car, driving on the open road, for the first time since the accident where he almost died. This is the final chapter in this best-loved of Kathy's stories: novel-length." -- flyer
From "Encore!'s" editorial: "The Gentle On story this time around is fully novel length in itself! When I set out to write I had no idea that a sub-plot would take over and make off with the story, but now that it's finished, I'm quite pleased with the result. This episode is not a CI5 story; the last two Chapters were, but this time around I wanted to take Ray and Bodie out of the CI5 environment and see how they cope with stresses and pressures away from work, where they're on their own devices and isolated from back-up. On the whole, I think it worked rather well."
From "Encore!'s" flyer: "GENTLE ON MY MIND Chapter Five. Bodie and Ray are ‘down on the farm’, enjoying the first warm weather of the year. The setting is idyllic, and so should their holiday have been. But since when was anything ever simple? Even as they arrive, Ray’s Uncle Albert has a problem. There’s a thief in the area, and someone is prowling around the arm at night. Soon, things take a turn for the worse when the cavalcade of ‘bus people’ who have been haunting the area turn up in the next paddock. Suddenly, Bodie’s worst nightmares are coming true all at once."
Image:gentle5text.jpg|sample text, chapter five
==Issue 6==
Life Goes On: Chapter 6 is a 104-page novel by Joana Dey and a continuation of the series. It was published by IDP Press in 2001.
Summary of Life Goes On from a distributor, Agent With Style: "Quotation|A final chapter which stands alone, written by Joana Dey with permission from Kathy Keegan. After tragedy strikes the Doyle family, Ray has to deal with the loss, while Bodie is forced to realise that Ray is at last an adult once more. It takes up where Chapter Five left off, but it is not necessary to have read the first five chapters in order to understand this one and enjoy it thoroughly. There is a short synopsis of the first five chapters at the front of the zine to acquaint the reader with how the characters came to be where they are."
Image:lifegoeson.jpg|cover of issue #6, "Life Goes On"
Image:gentle6-3.jpg|sample text
 
==Omnibus 1==
Gentle on My Mind Omibus 1 was published by Nuthatch Collective. It includes the first three chapters.
From the flyer: 
==Omnibus 2==
Gentle on My Mind Omnibus 2 
Summary from the flyer: 
==Reactions and Reviews: Entire Series==
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==Reactions and Reviews: Specific Chapters==
===Issue 4===
===Issue 5===
===Issue 6===
== Fanworks Written in Reaction, and Similar Fanworks==
* A Sentinel zine with a similar premise is Changes. It is by Jean Kluge.
* One fan wrote a story as a reaction to (Gentle on My Mind) and included Jim and Blair in similar circumstances. A Magical Christmas by istia is "a crossover with The Sentinel and a mild parody of the Gentle On My Mind series of zine novels about a brain-damaged, childlike Doyle and his (squicky!) relationship with his guardian, Bodie... I wrote this story in a frantic, incredibly fun two-day rush as a birthday present for a friend. I was later told there's an actual story [the zine is Changes] about a brain-damaged Blair, but I've never seen it; I was never in the fandom, just watched most of the episodes. I threw in Jim and Blair just to double the fun and because my friend enjoyed them at that time." Another fan reccommends this story, saying: "A crossover with The Sentinel and a mild parody of the Gentle On My Mind series of zine novels about a brain-damaged Doyle made me snort with laughter, possibly because it highlighted all the things I dislike about the GOMM scenario." from 
* One fan wrote a story as a reaction to (Gentle on My Mind) and included Jim and Blair in similar circumstances. A Magical Christmas by istia is "a crossover with The Sentinel and a mild parody of the Gentle On My Mind series of zine novels about a brain-damaged, childlike Doyle and his (squicky!) relationship with his guardian, Bodie... I wrote this story in a frantic, incredibly fun two-day rush as a birthday present for a friend. I was later told there's an actual story [the zine is Changes] about a brain-damaged Blair, but I've never seen it; I was never in the fandom, just watched most of the episodes. I threw in Jim and Blair just to double the fun and because my friend enjoyed them at that time." Another fan reccommends this story, saying: "A crossover with The Sentinel and a mild parody of the Gentle On My Mind series of zine novels about a brain-damaged Doyle made me snort with laughter, possibly because it highlighted all the things I dislike about the GOMM scenario." from 
* Drabble on My Mind by The Hag
* "Gentle on My Guy" is a Wiseguy version of JofA's Gentle on My Mind, author unknown, probably posted to a mailing list, was written sometime before 1996
==References==
Category:The Professionals Slash Zines
Category:1980sCategory:1990s