The Cat's Meow by akane42me (PG-13)

[elmey.livejournal.com]

Wow, it's August already and my turn to drive. The van's been tuned up so let's see how far and how fast we can go!

Fandom: THE MAN FROM UNCLE
Pairing: none
Length: 8066 words
Author on LJ: akane42me
Author Website: akane42me on AO3

Why this must be read:

First stop this month, Russia. One of the things that appeals to me about The Man from Uncle is its milieu; the 1960's, spies in the midst of the Cold War. The Cat's Meow takes advantage of the suspicions and uncertain alliances of the era as Illya and Napoleon fly to Moscow after Illya receives a message from an old school friend; a friend he isn't sure he can still trust.

Richly nuanced and powerful, the story is full of unexpected twists. We get glimpses of Illya's past and the many layers of loss and betrayal that shaped his life; his need to trust and remain true to something in spite of it. We get Mr. Waverly as the ultimate spymaster, the role that suits him best; and we get the generosity of spirit and moments of wry humor that always leaven Annie's tales.

“Do we know who sent it?” Illya asked.

Waverly’s frown deepened. “Mr. Solo?”

“Security hasn’t come up with anything yet, Sir,” said Napoleon. “The mailman’s polygraph came up clean, so they’re backtracking to the Post Office.” He shook his head. “Who knows how many ways that envelope could have been slipped in with the mail?” 

Illya pulled a sheet of paper from the envelope. Like the envelope, it was unremarkable. Unless one cared that the three words were Cyrillic: ‘Ленин говорит, мяуканье’. Abruptly, Illya stood, a mixture of surprise and disbelief on his face. Lifting the letter, Illya turned to Mr. Waverly. “Lenin govorit, myaukan’e. Lenin says meow.”

The Cat's Meow

Comments

[saki101.livejournal.com]

This is a wonderful story! One of the ones whose images return long after a reading. Great rec! Great excerpt. Lenin says meow.

[elmey.livejournal.com]

The first time I read that line I started hopping up and down in my chair it made me so happy :) I love the way Annie writes.