Fic Rec: Sketchy

[chapbook]

Title: Sketchy
Author: serpentynka
Pairing: Sherlock/John
Length: 186,281
Rating: E
Warnings: none
Verse: Sherlock BBC

Author's summary: Sherlock takes on an obvious case (barely a 4) and is forced to re-examine what it means to see and observe.

Reccer's comments: Serpentynka is new to fanfiction, but I was blown away by their magnum opus,

Comments

[fuzzyboo03]

What are the spoilers on this? I haven't watched series three yet.

[chapbook]

Exceleent question! I should add a note to this re: spoilers.

It was started before S3 and is set in an imagined S5, but no S3 characters or spoilers are included. Mary is in the past, but as it was begun before S3 the author (wisely I think) chooses not to imply much beyond that she is definitely out of the picture and for some time.

[fuzzyboo03]

Thanks so much! In that case, I will happily dive right in.

[chapbook]

Glad to be of assistance! I hope you enjoy it.

[sheila_snow]

Sorry to be a bother, but I've only managed two chapters and the constant shifting of POV's, sometimes from paragraph to paragraph, is driving me insane. Is it like that for the entire story? I know you said they are new to fanfiction and it sounds like a fascinating premise, but I'm not sure I can handle 186,000 words of this!

[chapbook]

I would say that the handling of rapid POV switches becomes more secure after the earliest chapters, but they are a core feature of S's style, which is why I mentioned them and included an excerpt with a switch in it. I know some readers enjoy switching, some don't. For me in this story they provide wonderful insight into both characters' reactions to a scene and add immensely to their characterization, but I realize others might be confused or simply put off.

Only you can decide what you enjoy in the end. Lucky for us there are many talented writers in the fandom who write in a range of more or less conventional styles and I love the diversity. Some styles might not be my or your cup of tea, but, as John says, it's all fine.

(Hoping this doesn't come off as "You don't like this style? You're a peasant" BS, but rather "Different strokes for different folks is just fine".)

ETA: added "rapid" to POV switches in the text to serve as an advisory

[sheila_snow]

No worries - it was definitely a "different strokes" kind of response to me, lol!

My apologies - I didn't read the excerpts because I didn't want to be "spoiled" for any of the scenes. I love long stories with a new, intriguing premise, so I was excited when I read your rec and jumped straight to the story. I do realize that most people don't have an issue with rapidly shifting POV's, but unfortunately, it's a definite trigger for me. Too lazy to try and figure out whose thoughts I'm reading at the time, I guess.

Thank you for your quick response and for volunteering to rec on this site in the first place. There is so much SH fic out there, and I have so little time, that I rely very heavily on recommendations. Your time in writing such a comprehensive review is very much appreciated (even if I didn't take advantage of it at the start, lol!).

[chapbook]

No need to apologize; I should have marked the excerpts as non-spoilery.

I adore longfic too! 75,000+ makes my heart go pit-a-pat.

Thank you for your kind words! I'm so glad recc'ers as a group have been helpful to you.