|
Fandom: Wilby Wonderful Pairing: Duck/Dan pre-slash Length: 1772 words Author on LJ: hanarobi Author's website: AO3Why this must be read:This is one of the many excellent character pieces on Duck. What I like about this one is that we see Duck's mind racing, and we see a different kind of vulnerability in him here. Hanarobi has really tapped into the everyman quality that makes Duck so easy to relate to. And Even the Angels Would Weep | |
|
Fandom: Wilby Wonderful Pairing: Duck/Dan Length: 3962 Author on LJ: exeterlindenAuthor's website: AO3Why this must be read:The character voice of Duck is brilliantly done, but what I especially love here is the way the tone of the story matches the movie. Duck, like the rest of the movie's characters, spends his time letting life happen to him, until he slowly realizes what it takes to find some peace and happiness. I Know What I Like (In Your Wardrobe) | |
|
Fandom: Wilby Wonderful Pairing: Duck/Dan, Duck and Buddy friendship Length: 9kb author on LJ: grey853Author's website: grey.ravenshadow.net Why this must be read:This is one of those stories that offers very natural characterizations and relationships. Duck's struggles with alcoholism and Buddy's concern unfold gracefully and offer a realism that is as encouraging as it is provocative. Test | |
|
Fandom: Wilby Wonderful Pairing: Duck/Dan implied (pre-movie, Duck-centric) Length: >300 words author on LJ: eledhwenlinAuthor website: dragonses.net and AO3Why this must be read:It's easy, and tempting, to idealize Duck and Dan, both together and separately. I admire the way this author chose to explore Duck's frustrations about what he wants but can't have and his own honest criticism of both himself and Dan and their cowardice. It offers a nice look into Duck's mind and his possible motivations for his actions in the film. Invisible | |
|
Fandom: Wilby Wonderful Pairing: past Duck/Dan Length: 140 words Author on LJ: akamine_chanAuthor website: AO3Why this must be read:For one, you have time, since it's only 140 words. Also, although I feel guilty about this, I take some comfort in the fact that Duck stoically bears more than his fair share of the world's sorrows, and this snippet captures some of that. It's also an incredibly sensual story, both visually and tactile-ly. Three Things | |
|
Fandom: Wilby Wonderful Pairing: Buddy/Carol, Duck/Dan Length: 1740 words Author on LJ: peoriapeoriaAuthor website: AO3Why this must be read: The tentative healing that we see at the end of the film, and Duck's unique role within it, are continued here. While there are loads of excellent stories that go with the theme, the beautiful, haunting language makes this story a true standout. (And yes, it was written specifically for me, but clearly I have impeccable taste). Doors | |
|
Fandom: Wilby Wonderful Pairing: Buddy/Sandra, Duck/Dan, past Buddy/Duck Length: 4332 words Author on LJ: pir8fancierAuthor website: AO3Why this must be read:A long-time favorite of mine, this story combines flashback narration with post-movie closure to create a bookend-like effect, one of the strongest types of story for this fandom, IMHO. It's a happy piece that's firmly rooted in realism. Say Anything | |
|
Fandom: Wilby Wonderful x Durham County Pairing: Sadie Sweeney/Emily Anderson Length: 992 words Author on LJ: helens78Author website: AO3Why this must be read:Again I turn to helens78, but when a writer offers the whole package (excellent writing, great character development, erotica) what is one to do? This is simply a fascinating pairing, but I especially love that, although Emily is playing a submissive role, she seems incredibly empowered in this gem of a story. If You Want This Part of Me | |
|
Fandom: Wilby Wonderful Pairing: Dan/Duck Length: 1130 words Author on LJ: helens78Author website: AO3Why this must be read:Because Helen makes angst-free, non-sappy romance look easy. Aside from admiring the author's technique (which is reason enough to read, trust me), this is one of those fics that can make you feel good at the end of a long day. It takes an oft-repeated (for good reason) trope (Dan starting over, revamping the video store), and patterns it around two people falling comfortably and realistically in love. There's also an understated sexiness that I love with Dan and Duck. If You Have a Hammer | |
|
Fandom: Wilby Wonderful Pairing: Duck/OMC, Duck/Dan Length: 2300 words Author on LJ: isiscoloAuthor Website: hieroglyfics.net Why this must be read:This is a lovely character study about Duck MacDonald. It's one of the first Wilby fics I ever read, and even now, three years later, I'm stunned at how perfectly the author has managed to capture Duck and his inner voice. Ten Things About Duck MacDonald | |
|
Fandom: Wilby Wonderful Pairing: none, Carol-centric Length: 300 words Author on LJ: thursdaynext_27Author website: AO3Why this must be read:Carol can be one of the more difficult characters to write in the fandom, as she's less accessible in the movie. Here the author gives her a fresh start, giving her a sympathetic flavor that is as refreshing as it is intriguing. Reboot | |
|
Fandom: Wilby Wonderful Pairing: Duck/Dan Length: 2040 words Author on LJ: hanarobiAuthor website:AO3Why this must be read:Hanarobi takes the comfortable, satisfying staples of the fandom (character study, some hopefulness and romance) and adds just enough difficulty to leave a taste that lingers for a very long time. I especially love the insights into Duck's mind. With a Name Like Duck | |
|
Fandom: Wilby Wonderful Pairing: Duck/Dan Length: ~2700 words Author on LJ: Author's website: LJ, and AO3Why this must be read:Ande captures Duck MacDonald (McDonald?) and what makes him our gateway into Wilby: his sensitivity, his courage, his cautious hope and his honest desires. It also has a killer last line. Four Times Duck McDonald Noticed Dan Jarvis... | |
|
Fandom: Wilby Wonderful Pairing: Duck/Dan Length: ~2300 words Author on LJ: spuffydudsAuthor website:AO3Why this must be read:There will never be too many stories featuring Dan trying to find his footing post-movie. Spuffy couples that idea with a lovely character study of Duck and his gentle, protective nature. There's a Warm Town in the Center of You | |
|
Fandom: Wilby Wonderful Pairing: Duck/Buddy (pre-movie) Length: 1275 words Author on LJ: helens78Author website: AO3Why this must be read:It's about eight degrees Fahrenheit here in Wyoming, and this story warms me from the inside out, both because of the searing descriptions of a hot summery Wilby day, and because of the scorching erotica. There's also a certain satisfaction in seeing Duck completely undone, like whumpage with intense sexual gratification instead of actual whumpage. Looking Without Looking | |
|
Fandom: Wilby Wonderful Pairing: none Length: 260 words Author on LJ: DWAuthor website: AO3Why this must be read:Because sometimes the art of writing involves the understated, and fear and despair should creep upon one slowly. Silence That Echoes | |
|
Fandom: Wilby Wonderful Pairing: Carol/Buddy, mentions of Duck/Buddy, pre-Duck/Dan Length: 5500 words Author on LJ: exeterlindenAuthor website: on LJ and AO3Why this must be read:The Cinema Show is a historical, documentary-style AU set during August of 1923, on the day that Wilby gets its first movie theater. The narrative voice, using flashbacks heavily, is gorgeous and artfully captures the problems and the hopefulness of the film. There's an ease to reading this piece and picturing the events unfold as if one really is watching a documentary . The Cinema Show | |
|
Fandom: Wilby Wonderful Pairing: Duck/Dan, Buddy/Carol, Dan/Val, Duck/OMC mentioned Length: ~28,460 Author on LJ: kuonji14Author website: LJ Why this must be read:This is the main story in a delightful series that largely focuses on Duck and Buddy's friendship. The series nicely bookends the movie with rich character developments, and romances/relationships that are happy without being maudlin. There is also some angst and difficult subject matter handled with sensitivity. Points in Common | |
|
Fandom: Wilby Wonderful Pairings: Duck/OCs, Duck/Dan pre-slash Length: 1196 words Author on LJ: magelight5Website: on dreamwidth as marianasWhy this must be read:Always Just Duck is one of the well-crafted character studies of Duck MacDonald. This one captures the honesty and realism of the character. Reading it, one gets the impression of sitting down with Duck himself. Always Just Duck | |
|
Hello, I'm exbexand I'll be driving the van for Wilby Wonderful this month. If you need a little refresher course, I encourage you to check out sperrywink's excellent overview. My first rec this month comes from the illustrious akiteFandom: Wilby Wonderful Pairing: Buddy/Carol (Buddy-centric), Duck/Dan implied Length: short Author on LJ: akiteAuthor website: Tales of A.KiteWhy this must be read:In just a few paragraphs, akite captures the essence of Buddy: a good man who has lost his way, but who ultimately always does what's right. She cleverly places him in a very fitting place on the island he loves. Water Tower | |
|
Fandom: DUE SOUTH/WILBY WONDERFUL/BSG (and more) Pairing: Fraser/Kowalski and? Length: guesstimate of around 3k Author on LJ: shayheyredAuthor Website: more fic hereWhy this must be read:Soooooooo… there were a lot of fics that called out to me for crossover day, but this one was the hands-down winner. It was written for the 2nd Intentional Badfic Challenge at ds_flashfiction but truly, this isn’t badfic – it’s crackfic of the highest order. The basic premise is that a nuclear accident has created multiple versions of characters CKR and PG have played, and they all converge on Wilby. Written as a script, it’s outrageously funny, and everyone is perfectly in character. And if that’s not enough - it has not one, but two theme songs rewritten just for it – how can it be anything but freaking (I mean, frakking) awesome? Triplicomedy | |
|
This is my last rec, and I hope you've enjoyed the Wilby Wonderful recs! If you're hankering for more, isiscolo keeps a complete index of all Wilby Wonderful stories. And I'll be back next month, reccing due South. Fandom: WILBY WONDERFUL Characters: Duck MacDonald, Emily Anderson Length: 416 words Author on LJ: pearl_oAuthor Website: Pearl-o at the Archive of Our OwnWhy this must be read: This is a sweet little snippet about Duck coming into the diner, and Emily being all awkward about it because of how he helped her with Taylor. Duck is awkward, too, but for quite a different reason. Double-double | |
|
Vidder: Heuradys Musical artist: The Gear Daddies Characters: Sandra and Emily Anderson Vidder on LJ: heuradysAuthor Website: Heuradys collectedWhy this must be seen: This vid is about Sandra and Emily and their relationships with men, and with each other. We see Sandra with Buddy, and Emily with Taylor, with rather apt lyrics, because neither of those relationships are exactly successful (arrgh, I kind of want to strangle Taylor). But I love the way it ends on a hopeful note, with Sandra and Emily together. Boys Will Be Boys (right click and download) | |
|
Fandom: WILBY WONDERFUL Pairing: Joe Dick/Duck MacDonald Length: 2800 words Author on LJ: exeterlindenAuthor Website: The author's works at the AO3Why this must be read: This is not your usual Wilby Wonderful fic, but a crossover with Hard Core Logo that takes both Joe and Duck outside their usual environments. They're both just out of their teens, and working on a fishing boat together. Both of them have emotional baggage, and they're the new guys, thrown together in the room nobody else wants. The atmosphere of the fic is gritty, and I'm especially impressed by how the few things Duck and Joe carry with them say so much about their history. There's a Leak in Every BoatETA: Ahaha. Apparently I didn't think to check akamine_chan's recent Hard Core Logo recs, because she just recced it, too. Well, it seems to be a popular story. *g* | |
|
Fandom: WILBY WONDERFUL Pairing: Duck MacDonald/Dan Jarvis Length: 1000 words Author on LJ: slidellraAuthor Website: Fic Index on LJWhy this must be read: This story gives a slightly different perspective on Duck. It's hard to put my finger on how it's different, exactly, but the story feels fresh and new. It shows us a Duck who is damaged, but capable of healing. We also see his slightly stalkerish side, as he watches Dan, and rents video tapes without having a VCR, just for the excuse to go into the video store. Possible | |
|
Fandom: WILBY WONDERFUL Pairing: Duck MacDonald/Dan Jarvis, Duck MacDonald/OMCs Length: 5600 words Author on LJ: cesperanzaAuthor Website: Speranza's FictionWhy this must be read: This is a story about the events leading up to the movie, and how the arrests at the Watch came about. It's structured around Duck's memories of all his times at the Watch and all the times they didn't get caught, until the one time they do. I won't reveal how that last time comes about, but it's really worth reading. On a more shallow note, there's a really hot scene where Duck has sex with another guy with everyone watching. The LightsAlso available as podfic. | |
|
Fandom: WILBY WONDERFUL Pairing: Duck MacDonald/OMC, Duck MacDonald/Buddy French, Duck MacDonald/Dan Jarvis Length: 8,500 and 33,700 words Author on LJ: nos4a2n09Author Website: Why this must be read: This series is probably the longest story we have in the fandom, and it's so good. Quiet In Drowning is a traumatic backstory for Duck. Heed the warnings on this one--Wilby Wonderful is a sweet movie, but it also has rather dark undercurrents, and Nos explores them here. Unsent is a post-movie exploration of Dan and Duck's relationship. It's slow and sweet, but doesn't shy from serious issues, like Dan's depression and Duck's past. I love the descriptions of Wilby Island and the sense of place I get from the writing. You can read the second story independently if you don't feel up to the angst in the first one. Quiet In Drowning and Unsent | |
|
Title: There's a Leak in Every Boat, by Exeterlinden Pairing: Joe/Duck Length: ~2,700 words Author on LJ: exeterlindenAuthor Website: Linden at AO3Why this must be read: because the idea should be wildly improbably, but isn't. Linden does an excellent job of creating a close, claustrophobic atmosphere between Joe and Duck, with both of them running from their lives, their hopes and their dreams. This is a raw, painful story, so true to both of their characters. Both Joe and Duck are young and hurting, on their own and lost. For one brief moment, they manage to find a rough kind of solace in each other before going their separate ways. ( brief excerpt )There's a Leak in Every Boat. | |
|
So, crossover day! Naturally, there are many crossovers between Wilby Wonderful and the other Canadian six degrees fandoms, and I'll probably rec some of those this month. But today, I'm reccing a crossover with Buffy (no knowledge of Buffy needed, though--I don't have any and it worked for me). Fandom: WILBY WONDERFUL/BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER Pairing: Duck MacDonald/various Length: 2800 words Author on LJ: glossAuthor Website: fanfic by glossolaliaWhy this must be read: This is an amazing story, and I really can't recommend it enough. If you read one story out of all the ones I recommend this month, I'd prefer it to be this one. It takes something that could so easily be just dry theory and turns it into something concrete and full of physical and sensory detail. I suppose one could say that it's about the relationship between normal and queer, between human and beast, and between civilization and nature. But it's also about Duck, and about Wilby. A Natural History of the WatchAlso available as a wonderful podfic by malnpudl. | |
|
Fandom: WILBY WONDERFUL Pairing: Duck MacDonald/Dan Jarvis Length: 285 words Author on LJ: spuffydudsAuthor Website: Spuffy's stories on the AO3Why this must be read: This is a short little snippet, and I can't say much about it without spoiling it for you. It's set soon after the end of the movie, and there are vandals who can't spell, and Duck trying to fix things. I love Spuffy's writing--she always manages to find the details that make a story zing. There is No Language in Our Lungs | |
|
|