Fic Rec: Observations from 221A

[holyfant.livejournal.com]

Title: Observations from 221A
Author: azriona
Pairing: Gen
Length: 3769 words
Rating: General audiences
Verse: Sherlock BBC
Author's summary: Female, age 67, Widowed, London, retired seamstress and landlady. It's not what she sees, it's what she observes that counts.
Reccer's comments: I first read this when it was posted anonymously over at the sherlockbbc commfest exchange, and have re-read it several times since. It's a story told in the format of a questionnaire, which is a refreshing alternative writing style, and it just has the loveliest, funniest, most bittersweet and absolute spot-on character voice for our dear Mrs Hudson you'll ever read. The way Mrs H describes her life at Baker Street rings true to the smallest details; we get a few glimpses at her life pre-Sherlock, and her view on some of the things that happen in the canon time frame. The way she sees Sherlock and John is so full of a tangible affection I wanted to reach through the screen and hug all of them. The tone is witty and funny and warm, and just a little heart-breaking at times.

Excerpt

I can't lower the rent too much, even for S, but he doesn't seem to mind. I think he could do with the company, lonely man, his eyes lit up when he realized he'd need someone else, right before he pursed his lips and wondered who he'd find. I think he might have been lonely in Montague Street. Learning to live with another body underfoot is quite a transition. Goodness, learning to live with tenants, that's a transition for me as well; I haven't had anyone in those rooms in a year, I'd quite got used to the quiet. I dare say I won't have reason to miss it, S does seem a quiet, sensible sort.

Comments

[azriona.livejournal.com]

Aw! Best compliment an author can receive is to be rec'ed to someone else. Thanks! :)

[ningen-demonai.livejournal.com]

Oh shoot, I was gonna rec this one! Too slooooow. XD