Project Pygmalion by azdak (G)

[theladyrose.livejournal.com]

Hello again! I'm theladyrose, and I'm driving the van again this month for the Man from UNCLE.

Fandom: the Man from UNCLE
Pairing: Napoleon Solo/Illya Kuryakin (pre-slash? C'mon, the disclaimer does say that this story is suitable for readers of all sexual orientations :P)
Author on LJ: azdak
Author Website: she posts her stories at network_command, mfuwss and muncle

Why this must be read:

I have a confession to make - I'm addicted to spy series crossovers. I'm also a sucker for musicals. The idea of casting the men from UNCLE in My Fair Lady, though, is a conception of sheer comedic genius on the part of the ever astounding azdak, originally written for alterego_thon. Project Pygmalion features azdak's sly intertextual references, absurd situational humor, cunning!Waverly and supporting cast of other equally entertaining UNCLE staffers - her Harry Beldon is not to be missed. Once you get past the delightfully zany interpretations of the songs, the "casting" and transformation of Illya Kuryakin into would be Survival School graduate is actually frighteningly, hilariously believable. Amidst the humor, we get a fascinating look at the Waverly-Beldon relationship and the developing professional rivalries within UNCLE that emerge fully fledged in Summit 5.

Really, no review can give justice to the brilliance of this story, so I'm better off giving you a teaser.



22nd June 1955 [from the diary of Harry Beldon]

Humph, did not think Alexander would stoop to cheating. Must remember in future that he is wily old fox. 3 months v. short time frame to achieve Pygmalion-like transformation of hopelessly unpromising material, to whit Section 8 boffin, and Russian to boot. Apparently Sov. U. pulled wool over Alexander's eyes (kudos to them, doesn't happen often) and contributed speccy scientist as their part of recent deal. Fellow doesn't even fulfil Section 2 height requirement and can't be extracted from lab except by threats of terminating contract. However, would not be Harry Beldon if not confident of ability to turn even absent-minded professor into pocket-sized James Bond well within timescale, and it will be one in the eye for Jules. Have accepted bet and drawn up training program.



Forget the Off Broadway Affair (which really is a guilty pleasure of mine) - I'd take Illya any day as Eliza Doolittle in Project Pygmalion.

Comments

[azdak.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much for the rec! In the interests of fairness, though, I have to point out that the idea of crossing MfU with My Fair Lady actually came from aneuhaus, although I will happily take credit for having had the perspicacity to leap on the suggestion with shrieks of glee.

[theladyrose.livejournal.com]

Ah, kudos to aneuhaus for the idea and to you for the execution!

The "absent-minded professor into pocket-sized James Bond" line cracks me up every time, as does his anti-Beldon solo, as does NS's rendition of "A Hymn to Him," as does the fighting like dancing bit...oh, heck, all of it does.

[azdak.livejournal.com]

It sounds terribly immodest, but it cracks me up to! I don't really feel I can take credit for it, because the story so much wrote itself. I just sat at the computer transcribing it and giggling.

[twigged.livejournal.com]

Please don't use LJ tags (or any other html) in your subject lines - the code doesn't translate to memories and we have to remove it. Thanks!

[theladyrose.livejournal.com]

Oops, sorry about that! I just changed the subject line to be HTML-free.

[elizabethhelena.livejournal.com]

I actually recc'd this story on crack_van for crossover day:

http://community.livejournal.com/crack_van/2906082.html

So obviously I agree with your selection. :-)

[azdak.livejournal.com]

It just goes to show how well crack_van works, because I got new comments when you posted your rec, and I got more new comments when this rec went up!