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crack_van2008-10-30 02:29 pm
malabud.livejournal.com) wrote in crack_van2008-10-30 02:29 pm
Entry tags:
Favors Returned by Michele V. (PG)
Fandom: PRIDE AND PREJUDICE
Pairing: OMC/OFC, Jane Bennet/Charles Bingley, Elizabeth Bennet/Fitzwilliam Darcy
Length: 55,000 words
Author on LJ: Unknown
Author Website: The Derbyshire Writers' Guild
Why this must be read:
This story is a bit different from the usual Austen fic. The point-of-view character is one John Barrow, alias John Blevins. The illegitimate son of a duke, Barrow meets Charles Bingley and Fitzwilliam Darcy at Eton, and the three become friends. Because Barrow is not of the same class as Darcy and Bingley--his father never acknowledged him--he has to find a trade to support himself. He eventually becomes a solver of problems and a fixer of sorts for the very wealthy. Living and working in the shadows, Barrow keeps track of his old friends, but rarely actually sees them. Unbeknowst to them, he assists in unseen ways as the two men attempt to woo and win the eldest two Bennet sisters.
Some might say that Barrow borders on a Gary Stu, but I disagree. Barrow is a well-rounded character, whose shortcomings are clear. It is fun to read his exploits and how he flits in and out of the story of Pride and Prejudice without being noticed by the principal characters thereof.
The author, Michele V., invented Barrow and introduced him in this story, but he proved so popular that a few other authors at The Derbyshire Writers' Guild used him in their stories. If you wish to read more of the elusive Mr. Barrow, you can read Resurrecting Mary by Kathlyn, A Time To Every Purpose by Stephanie R., The Murderer's Bible, also by Kathlyn, and the unfinished sequel to "Favors Returned," By Trial and Error. Please keep in mind that the latter three are incomplete and unlikely to be finished. Do not fear, however; "Favors Returned" is complete in and of itself.
Overall, the author tells a good tale in "Favors Returned." Her original characters are well-depicted and are nearly as interesting as the ones with whom we are familiar. The story is engrossing, the dialogue is well done, and at the end, the reader is almost sad that it is over. This is an excellent fic. Highly recommended.
* * *
"Leave him alone!"
Without releasing his prey, Winslow turned to address this brave, or foolish boy, "Go on Bingley, this is none of your concern."
"I will make it my concern if you don't leave John alone." Bingley drew himself up to the full, though insignificant height of his eight years.
Robert Winslow, ten year old bully, saw just enough humor in the situation to laugh with tolerable good nature, before shoving Bingley to the floor and sauntering away.
John, the intended victim of this most recent show of force, ran to his friend's side and helped him to his feet. He put his best handkerchief to use, as Bingley's nose was bloodied by the fall and in need of attention. "Thank you Charles. That was meant for me. I'm sorry you got the worst of it."
"It's all right John, I think. It doesn't hurt much."
"Let me help you on to your room and get you cleaned up." John put his arm round Bingley's shoulder and guided him through the labyrinthine series of twists and turns that constituted a seldom used short cut. Unknown to them, their passage was also being used by someone coming from the opposite direction. Someone whose quick step would bring them all very shortly to an unexpected juncture. It's unlikely that we'll encounter any more bullies along the way, thought John as they quickly turned a corner... and ran squarely into that someone. A very tall someone.
"Hello!" a hand reached out to steady them, "What have we here?"
"Excuse us sir!" said John and Charles in unison. John continued on, "You're not with them too, are you?"
"I don't know who 'they' are, but if they're responsible for that pounding, then probably not. Let's have a look." He whistled softly as he lifted the now crimson handkerchief, "Impressive show! Come... What's your name?"
"Charles Bingley, sir."
"Come with me, Charles. No more bloodshed in the corridor. My room is close at hand."
There, in the relative luxury of Fitzwilliam Darcy's room, John and Charles became acquainted with the curative powers of water with wine, and two ginger cakes apiece. And there, his curiosity not quite satisfied, Darcy continued with his interview.
"So, you're the one all of this was intended for, are you? And what might your name be?"
"My name sir, is John Thomas Barrow. Most everyone in this hideous place calls me Finch, but my friends call me John... sir,"
Darcy might have given way to outward amusement, had his eyes not been met by such a serious, level gaze. Stifling his inclination to smile, he continued, "So John, cheating was the crime, was it? And who exactly are your adversaries?"
"There's only one of any consequence," John replied, "Edward Thorne."
"And his friend Robert. Robert Winslow." Bingley's hand gingerly touched the bridge of his nose in remembrance.
"No Bingley, Robert is nothing. He's only the henchman. Edward's the man."
Several boys out-ranked this second son of a duke, but when it came to ill-temper Edward Thorne was without peer. "You mean the Edward Thorne, The Honorable Edward?" Darcy let out a low whistle.
"Yes sir. But if you'll excuse me sir, honor has little to do with it"
It was apparent from Darcy's expression that John was being re-appraised. That such a small boy would willingly stand up to such a mean-spirited, spiteful, tyrannical child as Edward Thorne was truly amazing. And to do it on principle! Darcy's head cocked to the side, as if to get a better look at this old, young boy. Next he turned to Bingley, "And what exactly is your interest in all this?"
"John is my friend, sir."
He's a loyal friend then. Many would have bolted and left him to stand alone. "I see. Yes, well the both of you could stand quite a few friends right now."
During the past year Darcy had, for the first time, taken on the role of older brother, and he liked it very well indeed. But much as he loved his baby sister, he had no brothers and, in all probability, would never have one. The thought crossed his mind that if he ever had been blessed with a brother or two, he would have liked a pair very much like Charles and John. And so it came to pass that Fitzwilliam Darcy took two small boys under his protection.
Favors Returned
Pairing: OMC/OFC, Jane Bennet/Charles Bingley, Elizabeth Bennet/Fitzwilliam Darcy
Length: 55,000 words
Author on LJ: Unknown
Author Website: The Derbyshire Writers' Guild
Why this must be read:
This story is a bit different from the usual Austen fic. The point-of-view character is one John Barrow, alias John Blevins. The illegitimate son of a duke, Barrow meets Charles Bingley and Fitzwilliam Darcy at Eton, and the three become friends. Because Barrow is not of the same class as Darcy and Bingley--his father never acknowledged him--he has to find a trade to support himself. He eventually becomes a solver of problems and a fixer of sorts for the very wealthy. Living and working in the shadows, Barrow keeps track of his old friends, but rarely actually sees them. Unbeknowst to them, he assists in unseen ways as the two men attempt to woo and win the eldest two Bennet sisters.
Some might say that Barrow borders on a Gary Stu, but I disagree. Barrow is a well-rounded character, whose shortcomings are clear. It is fun to read his exploits and how he flits in and out of the story of Pride and Prejudice without being noticed by the principal characters thereof.
The author, Michele V., invented Barrow and introduced him in this story, but he proved so popular that a few other authors at The Derbyshire Writers' Guild used him in their stories. If you wish to read more of the elusive Mr. Barrow, you can read Resurrecting Mary by Kathlyn, A Time To Every Purpose by Stephanie R., The Murderer's Bible, also by Kathlyn, and the unfinished sequel to "Favors Returned," By Trial and Error. Please keep in mind that the latter three are incomplete and unlikely to be finished. Do not fear, however; "Favors Returned" is complete in and of itself.
Overall, the author tells a good tale in "Favors Returned." Her original characters are well-depicted and are nearly as interesting as the ones with whom we are familiar. The story is engrossing, the dialogue is well done, and at the end, the reader is almost sad that it is over. This is an excellent fic. Highly recommended.
* * *
"Leave him alone!"
Without releasing his prey, Winslow turned to address this brave, or foolish boy, "Go on Bingley, this is none of your concern."
"I will make it my concern if you don't leave John alone." Bingley drew himself up to the full, though insignificant height of his eight years.
Robert Winslow, ten year old bully, saw just enough humor in the situation to laugh with tolerable good nature, before shoving Bingley to the floor and sauntering away.
John, the intended victim of this most recent show of force, ran to his friend's side and helped him to his feet. He put his best handkerchief to use, as Bingley's nose was bloodied by the fall and in need of attention. "Thank you Charles. That was meant for me. I'm sorry you got the worst of it."
"It's all right John, I think. It doesn't hurt much."
"Let me help you on to your room and get you cleaned up." John put his arm round Bingley's shoulder and guided him through the labyrinthine series of twists and turns that constituted a seldom used short cut. Unknown to them, their passage was also being used by someone coming from the opposite direction. Someone whose quick step would bring them all very shortly to an unexpected juncture. It's unlikely that we'll encounter any more bullies along the way, thought John as they quickly turned a corner... and ran squarely into that someone. A very tall someone.
"Hello!" a hand reached out to steady them, "What have we here?"
"Excuse us sir!" said John and Charles in unison. John continued on, "You're not with them too, are you?"
"I don't know who 'they' are, but if they're responsible for that pounding, then probably not. Let's have a look." He whistled softly as he lifted the now crimson handkerchief, "Impressive show! Come... What's your name?"
"Charles Bingley, sir."
"Come with me, Charles. No more bloodshed in the corridor. My room is close at hand."
There, in the relative luxury of Fitzwilliam Darcy's room, John and Charles became acquainted with the curative powers of water with wine, and two ginger cakes apiece. And there, his curiosity not quite satisfied, Darcy continued with his interview.
"So, you're the one all of this was intended for, are you? And what might your name be?"
"My name sir, is John Thomas Barrow. Most everyone in this hideous place calls me Finch, but my friends call me John... sir,"
Darcy might have given way to outward amusement, had his eyes not been met by such a serious, level gaze. Stifling his inclination to smile, he continued, "So John, cheating was the crime, was it? And who exactly are your adversaries?"
"There's only one of any consequence," John replied, "Edward Thorne."
"And his friend Robert. Robert Winslow." Bingley's hand gingerly touched the bridge of his nose in remembrance.
"No Bingley, Robert is nothing. He's only the henchman. Edward's the man."
Several boys out-ranked this second son of a duke, but when it came to ill-temper Edward Thorne was without peer. "You mean the Edward Thorne, The Honorable Edward?" Darcy let out a low whistle.
"Yes sir. But if you'll excuse me sir, honor has little to do with it"
It was apparent from Darcy's expression that John was being re-appraised. That such a small boy would willingly stand up to such a mean-spirited, spiteful, tyrannical child as Edward Thorne was truly amazing. And to do it on principle! Darcy's head cocked to the side, as if to get a better look at this old, young boy. Next he turned to Bingley, "And what exactly is your interest in all this?"
"John is my friend, sir."
He's a loyal friend then. Many would have bolted and left him to stand alone. "I see. Yes, well the both of you could stand quite a few friends right now."
During the past year Darcy had, for the first time, taken on the role of older brother, and he liked it very well indeed. But much as he loved his baby sister, he had no brothers and, in all probability, would never have one. The thought crossed his mind that if he ever had been blessed with a brother or two, he would have liked a pair very much like Charles and John. And so it came to pass that Fitzwilliam Darcy took two small boys under his protection.
Favors Returned