Conversion and Recommendation

[anteros_lmc]

In some ways I'm a bit of a purist when it comes to fic. I expect the characters it be properly in character and I also want them to be in their proper time and place. Period authenticity is everything! *sniff* Which is one of the reason's that I never read modern AUs. I can't get my head round them and they're just Not My Thing. Part of the attraction of this fandom is the whole cultural context don't you know. (Okay, the cute lieutenants, extraordinary uniforms and rather lovely boats are an added attraction ;)

Anyway I broke my No Modern AUs rule yesterday to read esmerelda_t's The House Guest and I enjoyed it so much that I went back and started reading her Modern AU fics from the beginning. And I have to say I am completely blow away by them. The retelling of the story is really creative and the chracterisation is spot on. The writing is gorgeous with a perfect balance of humor and subtlety. Horatio and Archie develop a realistically complex and deeply touching relationship in an entirely believable and immediately recognisable modern context. She also manages to convey the full horror and viciousness of small town homophobia without ever becoming graphic or gratuitous. Oh and there's some very sweet and really rather hot sex. I'm only half way through this series but I'm completely hooked. And you know what? I think I've fallen in love with Horatio and Archie all over again. Awwww ;)

So if there's anyone out there who hasn't read this, and is unconvinced about Modern AU fic, go read now!

Comments

[kittycallum.livejournal.com]

Awesome! I still need to read that fic ... am a terrible procrastinator. I love discovering unexpected things like that -- realising that something we didn't expect to like is actually pretty amazing. Oh, I have so much catch-up reading to do!

[anteros-lmc.livejournal.com]

I love discovering unexpected things like that -- realising that something we didn't expect to like is actually pretty amazing.
Indeed. Serendipity!

Well I'd suggest adding this to the top of your reading list :) It's just brilliant. And the first fic in the series absolutely heartbreaking.

[esmerelda-t.livejournal.com]

*continues to blush*

[anteros-lmc.livejournal.com]

*continues to be amazed*

He would matter to someone and the ache that presses down on him constantly would finally go away.

Twenty Four Hours. Beautiful. *sniffle*

[http://users.livejournal.com/_likimeya/]

I've never bothered with AU either, modern or other. Mainly because, for most writers, AU is just code for "out of character" or "I can’t be bothered with fitting my idea for a fic into the storyline, so I just alter that to make it fit my whims". But this is something completely different, a real translation of the whole thing into a modern enviroment. It reminds me of Jane Austen’s Emma and Clueless; it’s the same thing, period drama translated into the highschool milieu, and it works brilliantly, in my opinion. Just like this AU. :)

[anteros-lmc.livejournal.com]

a real translation of the whole thing into a modern environment.
Isn't it done well? I'm half way through this series now and still completely smitten by it.

Read Twenty Four Hours and Interlude for a brilliant example of writing that goes from the sublime to the ridiculous. Twenty Four Hours is a really moving study of need and loneliness and Interlude is just laugh out loud hilarious. Love it!