Reading Room - The Larton Chronicles by Rhiannon

[byslantedlight]

Title: The Larton Chronicles
Author: Rhiannon
Link to story or zine/ProsLib info: Zine only, available from Gryphon Press
Pairing: B/D
Further story information found at prosficspoilers

How do I even begin to tell you how much I adore The Larton Chronicles, by Rhiannon? Reading it is rather like existing with B/D right inside the icon I've used for this post,

Comments

[lukadreaming]

You have captured perfectly just why I adore Larton and why, if I could only save one zine, it would be that one. I remember the first time someone mentioned the premise to me, and I was going: "OK, riiiight . . " And then I bought it and was hooked, and bought a second copy for best because the first one, which sits by my bed, is so dog-eared from constant re-reading. If I'm feeling miserable, I open it at random and start reading! I quote bits constantly -- I was on a training course yesterday and heard myself saying: "I have my hat on and am awaiting my instructions!"

A lot of it is very generation-specific, which is why I love the glossary, which is almost as entertaining as the story itself *g*.

The writing is lovely -- capturing vivid images in a few words, and hilarious throwaway lines which I howl with laughter at every time I read. And the fade to blacks are really rather hot *g*.

The supporting cast is great fun. In many fandoms, OCs are dismissed as superfluous. But every time I read Larton, I enjoy Jack and Agnes and Miranda and Toby and the Irish showjumping lads. Again, we have immaculate pen portraits told in a few words.

My feeling with Larton is you either 'get' it or you don't. Few people sit on the fence and think it was OK!

[byslantedlight]

It's absolutely my desert island zine as well! And it is hot and subtle and vivid, and... and yes! The original characters are real people, aren't they! They're not more important than the lads, but they're there because the lads are there, and they help show us how gorgeous B/D are...

From what I've seen/heard from people, I agree with you about the "get it or don't" factor with Larton. I'm guessing that's because of the setting - you have to know why the lads would be that way in the Aga-saga setting of it all, to be able to make the connection between them and their surroundings, so you have to be fairly familiar with that generation/lifestyle/way of thinking (whether or not you've actually experienced it)... What do you reckon, though, is the reason that it's such a get-it-or-not story?

[lukadreaming]

I think some people can't see beyond the fact it appears to be a fairly fluffy AU a world away from CI5 (and that's not a criticism of anyone's reading tastes or habits!) and just can't see *their* lads in it!

I don't think the writing style appeals to everyone either. And knowing a bit about the generation/lifestyle/way of thinking probably helps as well.