"Siblings" by Michael K. Smith (mksmith@metronet.com). The author labels this a "novel in progress. The story is long - really long; but it's good. It includes several completed chapters and an outline of what is missing. The main characters in the story take the simple perspective that if an action feels good and hurts nobody, then it is good; and on this basis the brother and sister build a sexual relationship that extends from their childhood into their adult lives and enables each of them to embrace other lovers as well.

In chapter five the author digresses from the story and defends the practice of consensual incest. His arguments are plausible. The most serious objections, as I understand them, are genetic difficulties arising from recessive genes (double recessives are much more likely to occur among related individuals) and the high probability that incestuous relationships are likely to be coercive and therefore abusive. The author is aware of the dangers of abuse; his story "Remembering" vividly depicts the bad effects of such a relationship. His argument here is simply that those problems do not occur in this story and that the relationship between Michael and Alex is healthy and beautiful. The story certainly demonstrates his point.

The other objection to this story goes something like this: "The bible says incest is wrong, goddamit!" I'm pretty sure that's not true; but certainly lots of people who read the bible and claim to be religious people say it's wrong. This story doesn't address theology directly, but what it does do is draw a portrait of two main characters and several others who are genuinely good and socially responsible people. Bible thumpers make me nervous and annoy the hell out of me. I'd rather have a couple of incestuous hedonists like these for next-door neighbors.

The author states that "the story contains no sex scenes as such"; but that's not true. It would be more accurate to state that the story does not glory in sex for its own sake; but it is very heavy on romantic sexual contact in the context of the developing relationship between this brother and sister. This story is extremely well written. Because it is long and complex, I won't even attempt to summarize it any further here. I strongly recommend this story.