Prosfic Rec Advent Calendar, Day 23: The Larton Chronicles by Rhiannon

[byslantedlight.livejournal.com]

I'd been trying to decide which story I was going to rec today, when I saw this leaning up against a wall here in the farm yard, and I just knew that I was going to have to do it:

The Larton Chronicles
by Rhiannon

It wasn't all that long ago that I wouldn't have had a link to post above, and I'm so pleased that everyone can share in the joy now! This is an AU story, and to be honest it took me a while to get my act together and be able to read it - I couldn't see the point of AUs for ages, when what I wanted to read was more Bodie and Doyle. But eventually I'd made my way through the Circuit and the Hatstand and I wanted more, and I had another go... and oh! *g* This is very much AU Bodie and Doyle, where they live an Aga-saga life, complete with cats and dogs and muddy roads, but Rhiannon has captured the essence of both our lads, which is what I want in an AU, and she does it with gentle, quick humour and love, and I adore these stories! There are five parts on AO3, and In the Deep Midwinter is the especially Christmas-y one, with gorgeous moments like this one...

"Doyle moved slowly to the sideboard for the cutlery and Bodie watched him for a moment.

"And what else have you been doing?" he asked. "Your leg wasn't that stiff this morning."

"Probably the hike to the Brewers, then sitting all afternoon at Jeffers' place," said Doyle.

"Oh, nothing to do with the sleigh run the lads had at Brosters Hill?" Bodie inquired affably.

"Ratbag!" yelled Doyle. "Who snitched? I couldn't resist it. Had three good runs till I hit a stump."

"Half the village," said Bodie. "They were very impressed with your technique. Wish I was small enough to fit on a sledge."

"I've just had a great thought," said Doyle as they ate. "Halliwell can't get at me for the final revision of the book."

"He's probably training a couple of carrier pigeons. Or sending out a long-distance skier. I presume the rest of the country is coping. Battery still going on the radio?"

"Just. Things have been bad in London - they even had some trains cancelled. Terrible privations. You know, I'm in favour of us declaring UDI and never rejoining the UK. We don't need them after all."

"Spoken like a true Lartonian," said Bodie. "I'll get Jess to knit us a flag. Personally, I've enjoyed your electric blanket being off, which has forced you to invade my privacy in search of warmth and companionship."

"A gentleman," said Doyle primly, "would not have taken advantage of the situation. Mind, there's something to be said for having a chat at 3 a.m. when my insomnia's bad. Even when you leave me at five o'clock, cold and alone."

Bodie looked up. "What's that flickering?"

"The lights!" yelled Doyle. "That's what I've missed, being able to read at night without risking singeing my hair."

"Oh damn," said Bodie. "We'll have to cancel the revolution."


Plus, of course, it's a whole huge novel when you put the five parts together - bliss! *g*

Comments

[heliophile-oxon.livejournal.com]

(quite apart from anything else, it has rather made my morning to know that somebody somewhere composed the packaging blurb and the name for Happy Hoof (TM) For Those Prone to Laminitis ... NOW even lower in starch and sugar! ... I can see a Gary Larson cartoon of a couple of horses out shopping, looking at packs of Happy Hoof (TM) on the shelf and discussing how Old Fred (or Mabel) used to be such a martyr to laminitis ... but Happy Hoof (TM) has Saved Their Marriage! Or they got A Promotion at the Big Barn! Buy your loved one a pack of Happy Hoof (TM) today! Want less starch and sugar in your manger? No problem! New Improved Happy Hoof (TM) is the feed supplement for you! Sorry, mea culpa, this has absolutely nothing to do with the true spirit of Prosfic Rec-mas and I hang my head in shame, but ... Happy Hoof (TM) is just speaking to me today. I blame the government or lack of coffee or something)

[gilda-elise.livejournal.com]

Wow, haven't thought about Larton for awhile. Guess I'll have to pull the zine out, serve myself some coffee, and settle in for a wonderful read. Thanks for reccing them!

[snailbones.livejournal.com]

Thanks to you reccing it like crazy for years, I fell into it as soon as it was online, and I’ve loved it to bits ever since.

[tinturtle]

I like AUs where B and D are in some analog of CI5, with AU versions of their canon life histories, but I'm still developing my taste for other kinds.

ETA: Although I guess I will stretch a point for sci-fi. I can think of two sci-fi AUs that I liked, but that didn't feature CI5-in-Space.