Fic Report: AUs and Other Things

[tinturtle]

It's me again. I'm still reading a lot of Pros fic, and I'm here with reports on some of the things I've enjoyed this week. I do read fics I don't like and others that I feel indifferent about, but reporting on those doesn't seem very useful in most cases.

Not Time's Fool by jat_sapphire (21928 words, slash)
This was probably my favorite fic of the week. It is a sci-fi AU, but one that leaves most of canon intact. It succeeds beautifully at representing the real emotions that would arise from its fantastical premise, and it also makes great use of material from the episodes. I might have liked a bit more explanation of the practicalities of the story's sci-fi component, but on the other hand, that isn't what the fic was about.

Cowley's Irregulars by Gil Hale (53492 words, gen)
This is another AU, based on an alternate history. I thought the fic missed some opportunities; I wanted more information about the alternate world, and I wanted to be shown more of the developments within the story rather than told about them. The plot was good, though, and the setting hung together despite a lack of detail. I enjoyed the fic overall.

Doyle & Bodie - Second Guess by jaicen5 (52909 words, gen)
This was a good story, notable for its effective depiction of Bodie as he might have been in an earlier part of his life. It had less plot and more words than Jaicen's excellent Doyle & Bodie - Bit by Bit, and it did drag a little in places. I found it worth pushing through those, though.

Cold Comfort by laceymcbain (4786 words, slash)
I've read this fic a couple of times. It strikes me as very well crafted, though I can't put my finger on exactly what it does right. It is also delightfully warm, despite its name.

Concatenation & Fraternization by sineala (6445 total words, slash)
This series has a silly premise, but makes it as believable as I needed it to be. The resulting stories are sweet, and I found them a pleasant read.

Signing by agent_talis (303 words, slash)
This is a disability fic. I have a very hard time with fics of this type, and usually I simply avoid them. I'm glad I read this one, though, and I recommend it.

Comments

[dawnebeth.livejournal.com]

I like hearing other's opinions on stories and recs on which ones to try. Thanks

[shooting2kill.livejournal.com]

I like hearing about your reading, too.. It all helps to keep fandom going, Cheers for this.

[jat-sapphire.livejournal.com]

Thank you!

As to the way the time travel happens, in the original story the ... mechanism is never explained, so I just let it go. My guess was that some people just do not experience time sequentially, and the main character of "If This Is Winnetka, You Must Be Judy" thinks he is the only one, so hesitates to even try to explain because it sounds so crazy. The idea of a difference of this type as natural to only one or only two people doesn't make sense to me, but I was just watching a documentary that referred to a genetic abnormality so rare that there is no percentage of its incidence. (In the 113 people that were the focus of the story, it occurred twice, and the lead researcher said the two men must be related, though their DNA did not show a maternal relationship.) Anyway, sorry it felt thin. I suppose I could have lampshaded it, but I already lampshaded the secrecy and I don't like clapping a lampshade on mire than one thing.

I had forgotten "Cold Comfort" and found the title so ominous that I held off, then when I read the beginning I thought, OH, that one! I've got to stop that. I almost didn't read "Orpheus Turns Around" which would have been a terrible thing to miss. (But really, don't they both sound tragic?) I should read the alternate history one. That kind of story fascinates me, though it's awfully dissappointing if the writer hasn't thought through the butterfly that caused history to divert and what the changes are.

Antway, I love these posts! I hope you keep finding stories you want to report on.

[tinturtle]

Yes, the title of Orpheus Turns Around scared me off on several occasions before I finally read the fic. I, too, am glad I got over it.

Speaking of titles, you really nailed it with Not Time’s Fool. Several times since reading the story I have thought what a perfect title it has.

[jat-sapphire.livejournal.com]

Thank you!