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crack_van2006-07-16 11:16 pm
queenbookwench.livejournal.com) wrote in crack_van2006-07-16 11:16 pm
Entry tags:
The First Thanksgiving and Other Fairytales by Dedletrbox (PG-13)
Fandom: The West Wing
Pairing: gen (Toby, Andy, Huck&Molly)
Author on LJ:![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
dedletrbox
Author website: n/a
Why this must be read:
Toby Ziegler is one of the most complicated characters on The West Wing, and from the first appearance of his ex-wife, Congresswoman Andrea (Andi) Wyatt, it's clear that they still have chemistry and a very real connection. However, their relationship remains a complex and ambiguous one, through the end of the show's run. This fic does a fabulous job of illuminating their individual characters and the choices each of them has made, as well as their relationship with their children and their much more tenuous relationship with each other, all through the lens of a seemingly simple holiday celebration. This author also has a wonderful grasp on the characters of Huck and Molly--s/he has a gift for capturing the way young children perceive the world, what they love and what they fear. Also, the command of tone and language is beautifully evident throughout this fic--I could quote almost any line, I think:
Here's a taste:
Molly is a pilgrim, Huck is an Indian, and Toby spends the morning muttering under his breath about stereotypes, revisionist history, native genocide. “American history is more complicated than this,” he grouses. “What else are they trying to pass off as true?—that ridiculous thing about Washington and the cherry tree? Honest Abe?”
“Presidents’ Day isn’t for another two months,” Andy reminds him as they file into the make-shift auditorium. “First we have to get through a whole season of comfort and joy, so I hope you’re not going to carry on like this for the Christmas pageant.”
“Multicultural Winter Holiday pageant,” Toby corrects. “And at least the Bethlehem story isn’t an attempt to white-wash the violent suppression of an entire cultural history into a feel-good sound-bite about brotherhood—oh! wait…yes it is….”
But he reaches over to hold her hand when Huck comes trooping out with the other Indians. And his grip is so tight that Andy really thinks he’s going to cut off her circulation when Molly stumbles over her one line (“And we will invite them all to a great feast.”) When the skit is over and the first graders come out to take their bow, Toby applauds as loudly as anyone. Actually, he puts two fingers in his mouth and whistles like he’s at Yankee Stadium. Andy can see Huck’s head whip around, searching the audience, ‘cause nobody else’s daddy can whistle like Daddy.
Go. Read. Show love.
The First Thanksgiving and Other Fairytales
Pairing: gen (Toby, Andy, Huck&Molly)
Author on LJ:
dedletrboxAuthor website: n/a
Why this must be read:
Toby Ziegler is one of the most complicated characters on The West Wing, and from the first appearance of his ex-wife, Congresswoman Andrea (Andi) Wyatt, it's clear that they still have chemistry and a very real connection. However, their relationship remains a complex and ambiguous one, through the end of the show's run. This fic does a fabulous job of illuminating their individual characters and the choices each of them has made, as well as their relationship with their children and their much more tenuous relationship with each other, all through the lens of a seemingly simple holiday celebration. This author also has a wonderful grasp on the characters of Huck and Molly--s/he has a gift for capturing the way young children perceive the world, what they love and what they fear. Also, the command of tone and language is beautifully evident throughout this fic--I could quote almost any line, I think:
Here's a taste:
Molly is a pilgrim, Huck is an Indian, and Toby spends the morning muttering under his breath about stereotypes, revisionist history, native genocide. “American history is more complicated than this,” he grouses. “What else are they trying to pass off as true?—that ridiculous thing about Washington and the cherry tree? Honest Abe?”
“Presidents’ Day isn’t for another two months,” Andy reminds him as they file into the make-shift auditorium. “First we have to get through a whole season of comfort and joy, so I hope you’re not going to carry on like this for the Christmas pageant.”
“Multicultural Winter Holiday pageant,” Toby corrects. “And at least the Bethlehem story isn’t an attempt to white-wash the violent suppression of an entire cultural history into a feel-good sound-bite about brotherhood—oh! wait…yes it is….”
But he reaches over to hold her hand when Huck comes trooping out with the other Indians. And his grip is so tight that Andy really thinks he’s going to cut off her circulation when Molly stumbles over her one line (“And we will invite them all to a great feast.”) When the skit is over and the first graders come out to take their bow, Toby applauds as loudly as anyone. Actually, he puts two fingers in his mouth and whistles like he’s at Yankee Stadium. Andy can see Huck’s head whip around, searching the audience, ‘cause nobody else’s daddy can whistle like Daddy.
Go. Read. Show love.
The First Thanksgiving and Other Fairytales