Previous Convictions by Elfbert (Brown Cortina)

[skywise012000.livejournal.com]

Fandom: LIFE ON MARS
Pairing: Ray/Chris
Length: 70,000  across 27 chapters
Author on LJ:elfbert 
Author Website:
Why this must be read: 


Considering that Ray is such an intriguing character in LoM, here's not a whole lot of Ray!fic out there.  Canon tells us that Ray was Gene's right hand man until Sam Tyler turned up.  He's portrayed as a totally unreconstructed blokey bloke who likes birds, booze and football and loathes Sam with a passion that few people could even aspire to.

Canon Ray, like Gene, is presented as a fully formed character but, also like Gene, we are given little or no information about Ray's past which leaves an awful lot of questions about the man totally unanswered.

In Previous Convictions Elf has given us a back story for Ray Carling that covers his life from a wild teenager until the time we first meet him in 1973, written with so much sympathy and obvious love for the character that, even if you're not Ray's biggest fan (and I know that there *are* people out there who don't much like him) you end up completely understanding Ray's motivations in his hatred for Sam and his total, unswerving loyalty to Gene.

It's a fantastic fic, well written and tightly plotted and a roller coaster of a ride through a fascinating character's life.

http://community.livejournal.com/lifein1973/1690185.html

Comments

[mikes-grrl.livejournal.com]

Oh I am SO GLAD you recced this! I have not commented on all the chapters I've read, or finished it yet, but I do love this story. Great Ray and Gene backstory and yes, well plotted. I'm certainly one of those who doesn't like Ray much at all (however much I adore Dean, who plays him) but this story really side steps that and makes Ray a very complex and genuine character.

[skywise012000.livejournal.com]

Thanks for agreeing with the rec. I think Elf did a brilliant job with this coz Ray isn't presented as being the most sympathetic character in the world - although I have to confess I absolutely adore him *g*

[twigged.livejournal.com]

Your post is missing the subject line with title, author and rating. Please edit.

[skywise012000.livejournal.com]

Ooops!

Sorry - have edited.

[elfbert.livejournal.com]

Hey, just popped over here for a wee look at the CrackVan and I noticed you recced me! Thank you, it's great to know you enjoyed it and thought other people would too.

xx