Fic Rec: In His Image

[swissmarg]

Title: In His Image
Author: daasgrrl
Pairing: John/Benedict Cumberbatch, John/Sherlock
Length: 26,942 words
Rating: Explicit
Warnings: None
Verse: Sherlock BBC
Author's summary: In which a rather different John Watson returns to London, runs into an old friend, and meets someone new. As usual. When the subject of Sherlock comes up, things start getting complicated.

Reccer's comments: Despite what it looks like at first, this isn't really RPF (real person fic). I mean, Benedict Cumberbatch is a character, but... he isn't exactly.... I can't say more without spoiling it. Just, if the only reason you haven't read this yet is because of the RPF aspect, I encourage you to give it a chance anyway.

All that aside, this fic is a ton of fun. It's not humorous, though; in fact, it's more angsty than anything, but the way the characters are re-drawn, all of my assumptions and preconceived fannish notions went right out the window. All of a sudden, John's the one making brilliant deductions. Sherlock Holmes is a practically unknown minor blip on the screen of Victorian literature. And Irene is his pistol-packing, corset-wearing wife-stroke-assistant. Even as I slowly began to suspect what was going on, the developing relationship between the two protagonists kept me deeply invested in the story, and the actual reveal ended up being surprising, heartbreaking, and quietly hopeful.

Excerpt:

The murmur of the audience bubbled around them as they settled into their seats, which were excellent, as John supposed they should be, given the source. As it turned out, Mike’s friend was scheduled to be playing Frankenstein’s monster, labelled in the program as the Creature. The two lead actors alternated the part, Mike had explained to a rather bemused John. To pass the time before curtain—not that there was one of those—he took a glance through the program Mike had purchased for Alex. None of the faces seemed particularly familiar, although he did remember Trainspotting. Mike’s friend was the other lead, though.

“That’s not his real name, right?” John couldn’t help asking.

Mike grinned. “Well, he had the same one all the way through school.”

“Must’ve been sheer hell. Not to mention the name tags.”

Comments

[haikitteh.livejournal.com]

What an interesting twist on the genre! Loved this version of John, and Ben was quite charming, too.

I'll admit to having seen this story, but not given it a chance due to the "RPF" of it all. Thanks for recommending it! It was a really atmospheric, mysterious read.

[swissmarg]

Yeah, I was going to give it a pass too, but I guess my curiosity got the better of me, and the way the author played with the concept made it worthwhile. Plus, a great story either way.

[fannishliss.livejournal.com]

squee, really???

I went to see the Frankenstein at a cinema here in the US when they showed it in June. It wasn't perfect, but I liked it a lot. :)

It really does tickle me that now both leads from Fr. are playing Sherlock. :P

Can't wait to read this fic!

[fannishliss.livejournal.com]

Have now read this, and wholeheartedly second the rec. By the end you will have a wonderful complex story to think about. The RPF aspect really works to enhance and complicate matters. :)

[swissmarg]

That's cool. I understand if it puts some people off, but I agree with your assessment of it being a complex story, much more than you would think by just looking at the pairings.

[pennswoods.livejournal.com]

I just had to give this a read, and I was utterly charmed by the depiction of Benedict.