More Yuletide Recs
Jan. 1st, 2009 11:06 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
andrasteAstonishingly, I have managed to make my entire first pass through the archive before the big reveal. A leisurely New Year's Day well spent.
I am also stunned by the quality this year - not to diss previous Yuletides, but there's been a truly staggering amount of good fic this time. I look forward to going through other people's recommendations and reading more stories in fandoms I'm less familiar with.
Neil Gaiman - A Study in Emerald
The Case of the Stars Brightly Burning
Even in another universe filled with Lovecraftian horrors, Holmes and Watson are still very much Holmes and Watson. For all that I lost later, I would not trade an hour spent with him, no, not even now, knowing what I do.
Press Gang
Toys and Trinkets
Spike has an important gift for Lynda, but when an angry man with a dog shows up at the office looking for a certain Colin Matthews, it seems like he may never get to give it to her. An extraordinary textual reproduction of the show's feel - the banter between the two snarky lovebirds flies thick and fast, and Colin is so adorably Colin I just want to hug him.
Tilting at Windmills
Back in Norbridge after many years on the other side of the world, Kenny Philips can't even make himself a cup of tea before Lynda Day shows up on his doorstep trying to save the world. Left me grinning from ear to ear, and it's lovely to catch up with the gang after all this time. (Colin's failure to be mentioned makes me worry that he's off somewhere plotting to have the Pennines done up in leopard skin, though.)
The Princess Bride
Paradise
After the end of the film, Fezzik and Inigo Montoya have to revise their definitions of paradise. A lovely, gentle story - very much like Fezzik himself - with insights into the giant's history that are both funny and sad.
Red Dwarf
His Hologram Lover!
The bodyswap gives Lister a different perspective on Rimmer's situation. In my opinion, while Rimmer and Lister have bucket loads of chemistry - the kind that happens when you drop sodium into water - it's really hard to actually slash them. This story actually pulls it off, no pun intended. And the terrible romance novel sounds hilarious *g*.
RPF - 15th Century
The Seventh Circle
After Giuliano de' Medici is murdered, Sandro Botticelli is engaged to paint his memorial portrait. This naturally involves dealing with his grieving brother, Lorenzo. Speaking as someone who's got a degree in the relevant canon, this strikes me as incredibly accurate characterisation of Lorenzo - I suspect this really is what he thought about heaven, hell and the Pope. I also enjoyed the asides about his grandfather Cosimo as well.
Singin' In The Rain
This is one of my favourite films off all time, and I'm ridiculously OT3 about Don, Kathy and Cosmo. Good Morning is my second favourite scene in the show. (The only reason it takes second place is that Gene Kelly's performance of the title number is one of the greatest moments in cinema history.) Imagine my delight to find three stories about the three of them in the archive this year! I'm going to just rec them collectively, because my joy makes me too incoherent to say anything specific. Obviously they have worked something out between them. Perhaps it is one of these things.
singing with the sound off
Sun Beams Will Soon Shine Through
You're the Cream in My Coffee
Sweeny Todd
Variations on a Friday Afternoon
People pass, or attempt to pass, the afternoon in dalliance. What I like most about this story is the insight into Joanna, who is not as sweetly simple as she seems. (Something I felt was missing from the movie.)
Terry Pratchett - Discworld
To celebrate Pterry being knighted (hooray!) there has been an particularly excellent crop of Discworld Yuletide fic this year. Here are just a few of them.
A Patrician's Best Friend
Vetinari walks his dog. I've always been charmed by the Patrician owns small, fluffy dogs with ridiculous names, and this is a sweet and sad look at that particular personality quirk.
Entering With Intent
The Hogfather learns to his cost that one does not enter the chimney of Sir Samuel Vimes without encountering certain difficulties, including a crossbow. I especially love Sybil in this.
The First Thaw of Spring
Esme Weatherwax finally runs out of use for her I ATEN'T DEAD sign, in true Granny style. Brilliant characterisation all around, and Death's, um, reaction to the occasion is howlingly funny.
Lips That Touch Blood
Polly tries to be supportive as Maladicta struggles with addiction. This does not go quite as she was expecting. These two are always adorable together, and I'd love to hear more about what they got up to in Ankh-Morpork some time.
The Uninvited Guest
Death is invited to the christening of his baby granddaughter, but feeling unqualified to attend, finds someone else to go on his behalf. Absolutely genius. This is the second story this Yule that has these two Disc denizens meeting, and it's something that would be fascinating to see happen in the books themselves.
Twin Peaks
always music in the air
The Black Lodge creeped the hell out of me from the first time Agent Cooper visited it in his dreams, and the end of the series DID NOT FREAKING HELP. I cannot even think of the red curtains and backwards talking without shuddering inside. Here is a wonderful, creepy story of Cooper stuck in there, with chemicals on the brain and mysterious apricot jam.
I am a lonely soul.
Of course, Dale Cooper is not the only one to fall victim to the Black Lodge. Turns out that Maddy Ferguson is caught in limbo as well, and eventually the two of them sort of get to talking, as much as anyone can talk in the Black Lodge. More scariness, with a hint of hope at the end.
... now I want a happy story where Dale gets out of that horrible Lodge and is reunited with Annie and Harry and Audrey and there are fluffy kittens and baby ducks. Alas, I doubt Twin Peaks is likely to provide me with same.
Ultraviolet
Respice, Adspice, Prospice
After the end of the series, Frances Pembroke joins the squad. Marvellous look at a great character, and I love the bit with Angie in particular. I like to think that this is what happened next.
Watchmen
A Mirror of the Trackless Sky
Dan and Laurie, afterwards, living and not living with everything they've seen and done. Things fall apart and hang together.
Small Monsters
Out on patrol, Nite Owl and Rorschach come across a crime with disturbing resonances for the faceless vigilante. Perfect, heart-wrenching portrait of both of them that captures all the awkwardness and loyalty of their partnership.
Wire in the Blood
Best Served Cold
When the Bradfield police are faced with several victims who have had their mouths sewn shut or tongues cut out, they fear they have another serial killer on their hands. The truth may be something else entirely. Nicely plotty casefile with plenty of Carol/Tony.
Rumours, Not-Curry and the Cosmic Scale of Importance
Carol attempts to carry on her non-relationship with Tony in front of the watchful eyes of her team. This goes about as well as one would expect. Great punchline, which demonstrates admirably why she's the woman in charge *g*.
This Is The Map Of My Heart
Carol's apartment is in ruins after a visit from Tony's stalker, but they may finally be making some progress. I cannot tell you how many times I shouted at the TV for something like this to happen.
Timing
Tony is always interrupting, and Carol isn't sorry even when she should be. This year's archive is full of great Tony/Carol fic.
xkcd
The Amazing Adventures of Hat Guy and the Girl Who Stole His Hat
When I was idly paging through the Yuletide Treats list this year and saw that people hat requested xkcd fic, I could not imagine how anyone would begin to capture that off-the-wall stick figure reality in mere prose. Turns out that someone has managed it, though, because this is brilliant and sweet and twisted just like the canonical adventures of Hat Guy and his nemesis/true love.
I am also stunned by the quality this year - not to diss previous Yuletides, but there's been a truly staggering amount of good fic this time. I look forward to going through other people's recommendations and reading more stories in fandoms I'm less familiar with.
Neil Gaiman - A Study in Emerald
The Case of the Stars Brightly Burning
Even in another universe filled with Lovecraftian horrors, Holmes and Watson are still very much Holmes and Watson. For all that I lost later, I would not trade an hour spent with him, no, not even now, knowing what I do.
Press Gang
Toys and Trinkets
Spike has an important gift for Lynda, but when an angry man with a dog shows up at the office looking for a certain Colin Matthews, it seems like he may never get to give it to her. An extraordinary textual reproduction of the show's feel - the banter between the two snarky lovebirds flies thick and fast, and Colin is so adorably Colin I just want to hug him.
Tilting at Windmills
Back in Norbridge after many years on the other side of the world, Kenny Philips can't even make himself a cup of tea before Lynda Day shows up on his doorstep trying to save the world. Left me grinning from ear to ear, and it's lovely to catch up with the gang after all this time. (Colin's failure to be mentioned makes me worry that he's off somewhere plotting to have the Pennines done up in leopard skin, though.)
The Princess Bride
Paradise
After the end of the film, Fezzik and Inigo Montoya have to revise their definitions of paradise. A lovely, gentle story - very much like Fezzik himself - with insights into the giant's history that are both funny and sad.
Red Dwarf
His Hologram Lover!
The bodyswap gives Lister a different perspective on Rimmer's situation. In my opinion, while Rimmer and Lister have bucket loads of chemistry - the kind that happens when you drop sodium into water - it's really hard to actually slash them. This story actually pulls it off, no pun intended. And the terrible romance novel sounds hilarious *g*.
RPF - 15th Century
The Seventh Circle
After Giuliano de' Medici is murdered, Sandro Botticelli is engaged to paint his memorial portrait. This naturally involves dealing with his grieving brother, Lorenzo. Speaking as someone who's got a degree in the relevant canon, this strikes me as incredibly accurate characterisation of Lorenzo - I suspect this really is what he thought about heaven, hell and the Pope. I also enjoyed the asides about his grandfather Cosimo as well.
Singin' In The Rain
This is one of my favourite films off all time, and I'm ridiculously OT3 about Don, Kathy and Cosmo. Good Morning is my second favourite scene in the show. (The only reason it takes second place is that Gene Kelly's performance of the title number is one of the greatest moments in cinema history.) Imagine my delight to find three stories about the three of them in the archive this year! I'm going to just rec them collectively, because my joy makes me too incoherent to say anything specific. Obviously they have worked something out between them. Perhaps it is one of these things.
singing with the sound off
Sun Beams Will Soon Shine Through
You're the Cream in My Coffee
Sweeny Todd
Variations on a Friday Afternoon
People pass, or attempt to pass, the afternoon in dalliance. What I like most about this story is the insight into Joanna, who is not as sweetly simple as she seems. (Something I felt was missing from the movie.)
Terry Pratchett - Discworld
To celebrate Pterry being knighted (hooray!) there has been an particularly excellent crop of Discworld Yuletide fic this year. Here are just a few of them.
A Patrician's Best Friend
Vetinari walks his dog. I've always been charmed by the Patrician owns small, fluffy dogs with ridiculous names, and this is a sweet and sad look at that particular personality quirk.
Entering With Intent
The Hogfather learns to his cost that one does not enter the chimney of Sir Samuel Vimes without encountering certain difficulties, including a crossbow. I especially love Sybil in this.
The First Thaw of Spring
Esme Weatherwax finally runs out of use for her I ATEN'T DEAD sign, in true Granny style. Brilliant characterisation all around, and Death's, um, reaction to the occasion is howlingly funny.
Lips That Touch Blood
Polly tries to be supportive as Maladicta struggles with addiction. This does not go quite as she was expecting. These two are always adorable together, and I'd love to hear more about what they got up to in Ankh-Morpork some time.
The Uninvited Guest
Death is invited to the christening of his baby granddaughter, but feeling unqualified to attend, finds someone else to go on his behalf. Absolutely genius. This is the second story this Yule that has these two Disc denizens meeting, and it's something that would be fascinating to see happen in the books themselves.
Twin Peaks
always music in the air
The Black Lodge creeped the hell out of me from the first time Agent Cooper visited it in his dreams, and the end of the series DID NOT FREAKING HELP. I cannot even think of the red curtains and backwards talking without shuddering inside. Here is a wonderful, creepy story of Cooper stuck in there, with chemicals on the brain and mysterious apricot jam.
I am a lonely soul.
Of course, Dale Cooper is not the only one to fall victim to the Black Lodge. Turns out that Maddy Ferguson is caught in limbo as well, and eventually the two of them sort of get to talking, as much as anyone can talk in the Black Lodge. More scariness, with a hint of hope at the end.
... now I want a happy story where Dale gets out of that horrible Lodge and is reunited with Annie and Harry and Audrey and there are fluffy kittens and baby ducks. Alas, I doubt Twin Peaks is likely to provide me with same.
Ultraviolet
Respice, Adspice, Prospice
After the end of the series, Frances Pembroke joins the squad. Marvellous look at a great character, and I love the bit with Angie in particular. I like to think that this is what happened next.
Watchmen
A Mirror of the Trackless Sky
Dan and Laurie, afterwards, living and not living with everything they've seen and done. Things fall apart and hang together.
Small Monsters
Out on patrol, Nite Owl and Rorschach come across a crime with disturbing resonances for the faceless vigilante. Perfect, heart-wrenching portrait of both of them that captures all the awkwardness and loyalty of their partnership.
Wire in the Blood
Best Served Cold
When the Bradfield police are faced with several victims who have had their mouths sewn shut or tongues cut out, they fear they have another serial killer on their hands. The truth may be something else entirely. Nicely plotty casefile with plenty of Carol/Tony.
Rumours, Not-Curry and the Cosmic Scale of Importance
Carol attempts to carry on her non-relationship with Tony in front of the watchful eyes of her team. This goes about as well as one would expect. Great punchline, which demonstrates admirably why she's the woman in charge *g*.
This Is The Map Of My Heart
Carol's apartment is in ruins after a visit from Tony's stalker, but they may finally be making some progress. I cannot tell you how many times I shouted at the TV for something like this to happen.
Timing
Tony is always interrupting, and Carol isn't sorry even when she should be. This year's archive is full of great Tony/Carol fic.
xkcd
The Amazing Adventures of Hat Guy and the Girl Who Stole His Hat
When I was idly paging through the Yuletide Treats list this year and saw that people hat requested xkcd fic, I could not imagine how anyone would begin to capture that off-the-wall stick figure reality in mere prose. Turns out that someone has managed it, though, because this is brilliant and sweet and twisted just like the canonical adventures of Hat Guy and his nemesis/true love.