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crack_van2009-10-05 07:58 am
pargoletta.livejournal.com) wrote in crack_van2009-10-05 07:58 am
Entry tags:
The Lamentations of Poor Anne by HDKingsbury (PG)
Fandom: SHAKESPEARE -- RICHARD III
Pairing: Anne Neville/Richard III
Length: 2000 words
Author on LJ: n/a
Author Website: http://www.fanfiction.net/u/795874/HDKingsbury
Why this must be read: Writing fanfiction for Shakespeare's histories is hardly an easy task, considering that the histories are already pretty much fanfiction of recorded history. The good histories fanfic writer has to negotiate compressed timelines, legendary characters mixing with real ones, multiple historical personages conflated into a single character, Shakespeare's own strong opinions regarding past events, and an endless parade of people named Edward. HDKingsbury has not only done this, but she has also taken on one of Shakespeare's greatest villains, King Richard III.
In addition to the brilliant writing, HDKingsbury has done another great thing in my book: she's written about a woman. That's not an easy task for Shakespeare fanficcers; Shakespeare's heroines tend to be so grand that they're daunting, and the non-heroines . . . well, who really remembers Queen Anne when you're confronted with Richard III crying "A horse, a horse! My kingdom for a horse!"
The Lamentations of Poor Anne is a melancholy, reflective piece, about a woman who never expected to marry a man she loved, and will love him to the bitter end and beyond, regardless of what she has heard that he has done.
If only Richard's brother Edward had lived to enjoy a long reign. If only he had ruled with his head instead of his heart. If only he had lived to a ripe, old age, and left my Richard out of the schemings of the court. If only...
But Edward met an untimely death, forcing Richard to do things he never would have wished to do. I have let my husband know that I am always here to listen, assured him that he can confide safely in me, that no matter what he may say, I will never repeat it. But some secrets he keeps walled deep within his own heart, and will share their burden with no one, not even his wife.
There was a time once when I tried to get him to speak to me about his nephews, the bastard offspring of his brother and that she-wolf, Elizabeth Woodville. I, too, have heard the rumors of the boys’ mysterious disappearance. Some whisper that Richard had them killed, to remove them as potential rivals to his throne. Others speak in soft voices, saying that they were secreted out of the country, removed to a place of safe keeping. Edward had wanted Richard as the boys’ protector, a duty and obligation my husband accepted with great seriousness. But is has been some long time since anyone has seen them, and I, too, have pondered their fate. Whatever it is that Richard has done, I know that it was not done lightly. I want him to know that I shall always be there for him, giving my support. Yet when I speak to him of these matters, his eyes fill with sadness as he tells me not to worry myself, that the boys are now safe, that none can do them harm.
The Lamentations of Poor Anne
Pairing: Anne Neville/Richard III
Length: 2000 words
Author on LJ: n/a
Author Website: http://www.fanfiction.net/u/795874/HDKingsbury
Why this must be read: Writing fanfiction for Shakespeare's histories is hardly an easy task, considering that the histories are already pretty much fanfiction of recorded history. The good histories fanfic writer has to negotiate compressed timelines, legendary characters mixing with real ones, multiple historical personages conflated into a single character, Shakespeare's own strong opinions regarding past events, and an endless parade of people named Edward. HDKingsbury has not only done this, but she has also taken on one of Shakespeare's greatest villains, King Richard III.
In addition to the brilliant writing, HDKingsbury has done another great thing in my book: she's written about a woman. That's not an easy task for Shakespeare fanficcers; Shakespeare's heroines tend to be so grand that they're daunting, and the non-heroines . . . well, who really remembers Queen Anne when you're confronted with Richard III crying "A horse, a horse! My kingdom for a horse!"
The Lamentations of Poor Anne is a melancholy, reflective piece, about a woman who never expected to marry a man she loved, and will love him to the bitter end and beyond, regardless of what she has heard that he has done.
If only Richard's brother Edward had lived to enjoy a long reign. If only he had ruled with his head instead of his heart. If only he had lived to a ripe, old age, and left my Richard out of the schemings of the court. If only...
But Edward met an untimely death, forcing Richard to do things he never would have wished to do. I have let my husband know that I am always here to listen, assured him that he can confide safely in me, that no matter what he may say, I will never repeat it. But some secrets he keeps walled deep within his own heart, and will share their burden with no one, not even his wife.
There was a time once when I tried to get him to speak to me about his nephews, the bastard offspring of his brother and that she-wolf, Elizabeth Woodville. I, too, have heard the rumors of the boys’ mysterious disappearance. Some whisper that Richard had them killed, to remove them as potential rivals to his throne. Others speak in soft voices, saying that they were secreted out of the country, removed to a place of safe keeping. Edward had wanted Richard as the boys’ protector, a duty and obligation my husband accepted with great seriousness. But is has been some long time since anyone has seen them, and I, too, have pondered their fate. Whatever it is that Richard has done, I know that it was not done lightly. I want him to know that I shall always be there for him, giving my support. Yet when I speak to him of these matters, his eyes fill with sadness as he tells me not to worry myself, that the boys are now safe, that none can do them harm.
The Lamentations of Poor Anne
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Hee! A well-written rec.
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