Fic Rec: Left

[pipmer1.livejournal.com]

Title: Left
Author: lifeonmars
Pairing: Sherlock/John
Length: 45153
Rating: Mature
Warnings: None
Verse: Sherlock BBC

Author's summary: John Watson is left-handed. He’s tried not to let it affect his life, but as any Lefty knows, that’s almost impossible.


Reccer's comments: This fic has already received lots of attention and been recced elsewhere, but I couldn't resist mentioning it here. For one thing, lifeonmars is one of my favourite Sherlock authors; you should check out their other stories as well. For another, it's just a brilliant piece of work.

This is a magical realism AU where everyone has a knack - some kind of special skill - except for left-handed people. Lefties have no knack, and as a result tend to be patronised and pitied, although they have for the most part found at least nominal acceptance and integration into society. Some characters' knacks will be what you would expect them to be; others will be surprising and perhaps humorous. All of them, though, will suit the person to a tee. The story is mostly a retelling of the Great Game, altered of course to fit this 'verse. There are clues scattered throughout leading to a certain conclusion about John; I'll bet you won't come to the right one, though. Very clever and skilful storytelling from a master of the craft.



They’d given him the pamphlets in primary school, at Evaluation. The pamphlets that said it was perfectly normal, that 10 percent of the population is left-handed, that it’s possible as a Lefty to have a worthy career and a house and (right-handed) children. One pamphlet had a cartoon image of two stupidly happy big-eyed kids raising their hands, one left, one right: Lefties Are Just Like Everyone Else, it said.

John wondered why he needed a special pamphlet to tell him he was just like everyone else, if he was just like everyone else. No one else got a pamphlet.

Comments

[call-me-ishmael.livejournal.com]

Yes! This fic is awesome and well-plotted. Mars impressively makes the episodes come to life by not dragging out the details and using interesting, creative new ways to cover them.

It also leads to all kinds of puns.