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

[sc_fossil]

Thanks for the nice review. Larton is beautifully presented, but

[byslantedlight]

I remembered you were one of the people who didn't like Larton, and I'm interested to see a few of your reasons why they're not Bodie/Doyle. I'm very curious about your reasons for saying Bodie doesn't like horses, or seem comfortable around them though - when does he avoid them, and when does he seem uncomfortable around them in Pros? I'll grant you he runs away from the bad guy on the horse in SoTM, but the guy is trying to run him down! And he's not very effectual in luring the horse to him, but again there are mitigating circumstances, and I'm not sure even a horse-lover could have done better in the same situation. Do we see him with horses in any other ep, though, to make you think he's not keen on them? I can't remember...

I can definitely make a list of ways that they are, though (*g*):
Canon - Larton
Bodie seems to thrive on a risky lifestyle - Bodie thrives on the risk of the hunt
Doyle's competence and fitness suggests he loves the risky CI5 lifestyle as well, but he says outloud he'd prefer a good book - Doyle

[sc_fossil]

I think you've found little things that relate to canon lads if you squint hard enough. However, the hardness, the violence buried under the surface, the grit, the reality of life being erased instantly, none of that is there, and that's what makes Pros what it is. I suppose that's why I find the novel about the barge living (O Yardley's) isn't my cuppa either. Now that one I didn't find nearly as entertaining to read as Larton. I actually thought I'd love O Yardley's more since I prefer her writing style and have many favourite novels by her.

I'm sorry, but "the risk of the hunt" is not even close to a risky lifestyle! Even kids hunt. I suppose in a gentrified country life, hunting is risky because of falling off a horse but to me, hardly comparable to CI5 risks.

[lukadreaming]

There's no comparison at all between the CI5 world and the AU world. What I think we end up looking at are the way character traits are reflected in those widely different universes -- some of which byslantedlight quotes above.

Although I do see a darker undertone to Larton, what with Doyle having lost his son and being badly injured twice, and Bodie being near to death with the head injury.

[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

[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.

[sc_fossil]

I'd be interested having more information regarding your comment: her ability to use just a few words..." Are you saying this is a "good" or preferred way to present a story? Is there some benefit to using less text or dialogue to get your point across? I'm curious.

[byslantedlight]

No, it's not the fact that she physically uses fewer words to get her point across that makes the difference - I don't see a specific "benefit" to pure word count - but it can be a way of creating magic, and I think that's what Rhiannon does. If you can choose the right words to describe something, then you can often evoke so much more feeling or emotion in the reader, than by just using ordinary words - and that's what to me makes a good story, how strongly I feel about it

[cloudless_9193]

Your comment was not meant for me, but I just wanted to let you know that to me it makes very much sense. I admire authors who are able to create an atmosphere or express strong emotions by using just a few words. And I don't mind if I sometimes have to stop and read the sentence or paragraph all over again to catch the meaning underneath. Another author in this category would be Jojo, imo. Your marmalade example was perfect. I wish I could write reviews like that. :-)

[byslantedlight]

My comments are meant for anyone who's reading! *g* And hee for the review - I could ramble on forever about Larton, cos I love it that much... bet you could too, really... *g* Your mini-recs are good too though, it's nice to be reminded of fics with just a little nudge, as well as with big think-y discussion! We used to have both types of recs here at ci5hq actually, but seem to have gone over completely to Reading Room for the moment! I keep thinking we should have a short-rec-posting-challenge here one week, too... *g*

But yes! Writing that tells you so in just a few words... I'm not fond of overly sparse writing, mind, just... the right words... *g* Jojo's fics are fab - I must read some again so that I can agree with you! *g*

[msmoat]

Ah, The Larton Chronicles! I have to ration my reading of it, you know. I don't want to memorize it, although I've come awfully close. *g* And also when I read it, I have such longing to be there, and to stay in that world. It's actually rather painful to have it end. *g* It was such a joy when Best of All Ways actually came out.

I'm in the camp that see the essences of Bodie and Doyle in the characters. They aren't "Bodie and Doyle" in the sense that they didn't lead the lives the Bodie and Doyle did. There are differences (even beyond the obvious of backgrounds). But the essence is there, and the stories work for me beautifully as an AU

[byslantedlight]

I have to ration my reading of it, you know.
I know! I could sit and read it over and over again, and then I'd lose the joy of spotting the little things that you forget - or "blip" over... *g* I've just finished re-reading it now, and I'm still in that lovely cozy place of adoring the Larton lads and wanting them back - I want mooooore!

[cloudless_9193]

Thanks for this lovely review. It sums up all I feel about Larton. I think their characterisation is spot on, what they say, how they act, how they express their feelings to each other. It's all so comforting, even when they quarrel and are separated for a while. There is so much love here without the word ever spoken (At least I don't remember it was ever spoken out loud between them.)
The parish meeting you quoted was hilarious, btw. I really could imagine Doyle sitting there and thinking these things. Perfect! :-)

[byslantedlight]

Oh I am glad you like the story too - and comforting is a great word for it! You can just tell that the depth of their love does mean they'll never separate properly, and so you know it'll always end happily for them... and so us. *g* I wonder if we have that understanding almost because their love is pretty much unspoken, because it's so deeply understood between them in the story that they don't need to say it out loud. They do say some things - Bodie waits for the moonlight to come out over the pigpens, and then says "Just wanted to say that the years with you have been the happiest of my life" (paraphrasing!), and Doyle tells Halliwell that they're really happy and then worries about having jinxed them, and I'm sure there are other odd things - but I don't think they do say "love" out loud... Oh I'm wrong! When Doyle's come off the horse and is half-conscious he sees Bodie looking worried and says "What's wrong, love?" So it is acknowledged by them too, just... so subtley!

[cloudless_9193]

Yeah, subtly, as this "love" is also meant to be some kind of pet name, am I right? I remember a scene where Doyle is sitting in the church, watching Bodie some rows behind him, and thinking "I still got it bad" or so. To me this had a stronger effect than any love declaration.
And in the first part, although he was rather reluctant to start a (sexual) relationship with Bodie, he was thinking very early on about taking care of him - "he needs a keeper" I think it was - which is a commitment in itself IMO. I think he already loved him but just didn't realise then. I read the whole zine(s) in one go during a long weekend in the country and it made a strong impression on me.

[byslantedlight]

as this "love" is also meant to be some kind of pet name, am I right?
Yes, he's totally using it as a kind of pet name - although "pet name" isn't quite right... when it's used like that it's generally an intimate usage of the word, because it's between two people who are partners. A shopkeeper might say "Here you are love," as he handed over your shopping - but only to the opposite sex. Women tend to use it that way to either sex, but men don't use it to other men like that. So when Doyle does to Bodie here, he's not declaring that he does love him, it's actually more intimate, as if they were the only people there and this is what he'd say in private - of course he's dazed and so not reacting as he normally would...

And yes - I've still got it bad" - I love that bit! Especially as they've had a row, haven't they, and he's thinking it anyway! *g*

I think he already loved him but just didn't realise then.
Yeah, I totally agree - I think Doyle's love for Bodie grows, and then his sexual attraction follows, although right from