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crack_van2013-12-08 02:38 pm
aralias.livejournal.com) wrote in crack_van2013-12-08 02:38 pm
The Totally Imaginary Cheeseboard by Jean Airey and Laurie Haldeman (PG)
I promise I won't rec quite this often after this weekend. After this, it'll be one every other day. Largely.
Fandom: BLAKE'S 7
Pairing: Avon, RPF (Gareth Thomas, Michael Keating, Jacqueline Pearce, Sheelagh Wells, "OCs" i.e. some real fans, some OCs)
Length: 50 odd zine pages
Why this must be read: Another 1988, and another one that's quite famous - I assume it hasn't been recced before because it's zine only, but it's a zine that I often see on eBay. The premise is that Avon and Paul Darrow are swapped while Darrow is at a B7 con. Thus, Kerr Avon has to endure... everyone being really nice to him!!! When I read the premise of this fic, I assumed it would be a hilarious string of 'Avon fails to deal with modern life' incidents, and it is, but more than that it's a chance for Avon to examine his behaviour and his established relationships from the outside and potentially make different choices. It's genuinely thought-provoking and moving. Out of his own universe, Avon gets to be both more adorable (very excited about steak and clothes and toys he could re-sell in the future), more out of his depth/vulnerable and more terrifying (dangerous killer in amongst normal people) than I've really seen elsewhere. Vv interesting and plausible characterisation.
The fic is also interesting as a historical document, giving a detailed and (I assume) accurate account of what a B7 con in the late 80s was like. And the illustrations by Gail Bennett are lovely. I uploaded a few of my scans to the Fanlore article, which is linked below.
Excerpt:
Link: To the long extract; to the listing on Fanlore; to the current eBay listings for the zine
Fandom: BLAKE'S 7
Pairing: Avon, RPF (Gareth Thomas, Michael Keating, Jacqueline Pearce, Sheelagh Wells, "OCs" i.e. some real fans, some OCs)
Length: 50 odd zine pages
Why this must be read: Another 1988, and another one that's quite famous - I assume it hasn't been recced before because it's zine only, but it's a zine that I often see on eBay. The premise is that Avon and Paul Darrow are swapped while Darrow is at a B7 con. Thus, Kerr Avon has to endure... everyone being really nice to him!!! When I read the premise of this fic, I assumed it would be a hilarious string of 'Avon fails to deal with modern life' incidents, and it is, but more than that it's a chance for Avon to examine his behaviour and his established relationships from the outside and potentially make different choices. It's genuinely thought-provoking and moving. Out of his own universe, Avon gets to be both more adorable (very excited about steak and clothes and toys he could re-sell in the future), more out of his depth/vulnerable and more terrifying (dangerous killer in amongst normal people) than I've really seen elsewhere. Vv interesting and plausible characterisation.
The fic is also interesting as a historical document, giving a detailed and (I assume) accurate account of what a B7 con in the late 80s was like. And the illustrations by Gail Bennett are lovely. I uploaded a few of my scans to the Fanlore article, which is linked below.
Excerpt:
"So, instead of me," Avon smiled with real amusement, "Blake's got an actor with a teddy bear. I think even he will realize the difference.
Gareth shot him a look as if he wanted to say something, shut his mouth with a snap and then remarked, "He's not going to be very pleased - after all, he needs you."
"I doubt Blake realizes that," was the sardonic reply.
Fannish voices immediately roared out in protest. (Well, we'd all imbibed a drink or two by then) and Gareth smiled in vindication. Avon looked shocked.
Link: To the long extract; to the listing on Fanlore; to the current eBay listings for the zine