Rec-o-Rama

[kelly_chambliss]

The hp_yule_balls  reveals have gone up, and my fabulous gift At Arm's Length was written by the ever-excellent Miss Morland (I can't link to her name because of the hopeless, useless LJ code, but you can find her on my friends list if you want her page).   I knew she had written it; I knew it, I knew it.   But then, Slytherin that she obviously is, she faked me out by leaving a comment to her own story -- a very crafty comment that did not require her to squee over her fic, but was actually a cleverly-concealed remark about her motivation for writing.  Of course, this trick will never work again, not on me, anyway!  (Consider yourself warned, Missy M!)

I'll do this fest again -- it was well-run and produced a lot of femmeslash.  If some of the entries were a bit weaker than others, that's not a problem.  They were all enjoyable, in their own ways, and it seems clear that most people took time and trouble in creating their works.   Among my favorites:  A Hogmanay Carol (McGonagall/Hooch); Open Hand (Snape/Lupin); The Magic of Christmas (Remus/Bill/Snape) (The link on the masterlist takes you somewhere else, and I wasn't really convinced by the ending threesome, but the part about Snape working in a discount store as Father Christmas is a treat.)

snapelyholidays has finished posting its gifts and has given us its anonymous master-list.  I loved this fest -- such a wide variety of Snape-pairings and genres and tones.  The entries sustained a high level of quality, and the fest was beautifully-run.  Truly, some of these stories are going to become classics of my Snapely library.  My top five favorites:  (I've mentioned some of them in earlier rec posts):

**In Memory of Sigmund Freud -- (Snape/McGonagall, Snape/Moody) -- This story is without question the best Snape/McGonagall I've ever read, and I've read some stellar MM/SS.  Hell, it's one of the best fanfics I've ever read, period.  I'm almost positive I know who wrote it, and I hope they will let me friend them, because I don't want to miss a single syllable they've ever written or will write. 

Subtlety Personified -- (Snape, Slughorn) -- This version of Slughorn has become canon for me; I love him, in all his crafty, subtle, funny, heart-tugging, comfort-loving, ever-so-efficient, endearing ways.  Not many stories bring me to tears, but this one did.  One reviewer said in her LJ that this story was smart -- yes, exactly.

By the Clock -- (Snape/Dumbledore) -- Charming in the best of senses, with a nosy busybody of a wonderful Minerva, too.  Adored this.

The Caretaker -- (Snape/Filch) -- Grumpy-old-man-romance at its finest; Filch's voice is a triumph.

Illustrations for Home Studies -- (Snape/McGonagall) -- "Home Studies," a story by bethbethbeth from 2005, is one of my favorite MM/SS stories, and for the fest, an artist created a series of five excellent illustrations for it; they capture a lot of the spirit of the story, and I just love Snape's look.  The last picture, in its home-sweet-home sort of frame, is a delight.  (The artist thoughtfully provides a link to "Home Studies," in case you haven't read it.)

Also really good --

A Place Between Sleeping and Waking -- (Snape/Harry) -- Most of my flisties know that I'm not much of a slash person in general or a Snarry person in particular, but I'm really an equal-opportunity reader when it comes to quality fic.  This story is very nicely-written, with characterizations of both Snape and Harry that I find IC and effective.  In terms of plot, it's clever and compelling.  I enjoyed this story thoroughly.

Joined-Up with Jobberknolls -- (Snape/Lockhart) -- A really strong, un-silly, yet IC depiction of Lockhart makes this fic a fine read.  And Snape is wonderfully himself, too.

Out of This World -- (Snape/Hermione) -- Snape lives and becomes a monk.  It works.  Really.  Very atmospheric and thoughtful.

Let's Play! -- Snape/Lupin paper dolls with little stories and drag-queen outfits.  I trust I need say no more.

A Way Out -- (Snape/Lupin) -- An inventive story with an excellent Snape; it's like an HP Waiting for Godot, but funnier.

Comments

[woldy]

Hee, I like that miss_morland faked you out. It is a cleverly crafted comment, so I shall have to rememver that trick ;-)

[kellychambliss.livejournal.com]

It won't work on me, I tell you! I've been vaccinated against it now /g/

[miss-morland.livejournal.com]

Slytherin that she obviously is

Ha! No, I'm nowhere near being ambitious enough for Slytherin.

a very crafty comment that did not require her to squee over her fic, but was actually a cleverly-concealed remark about her motivation for writing

Yeah, I tend to leave less vague comments on stories that other people write (at least I hope so)... I was pleased to see it worked on you, though. *g*

[kellychambliss.livejournal.com]

I tend to assume that people's vague comments just mean that they didn't really like the story but feel the need to say something non-critical. But I should have realized that there's no way you wouldn't have liked such a fine piece!

[tetleythesecond]

Snapelyholidays was really a fine fest! I hadn't considered myself much of a Snape fan before, but the high quality of writing and all those great examples of characterisation made me curious for more. And I'd never have thought that I'd read so much maleslash. Snape/Filch... Snape/Dumbledore... Snape/hard-horned ex-rhino......

[kellychambliss.livejournal.com]

Yes, I amazed myself with the amount of Snape slash I read and liked and recced! Not that I see myself joining any Snarry fests any time soon. . .

[alwaysimploding.livejournal.com]

Thanks for tip: In Memory of Sigmund Freud, one of the best fics I´ve ever read, and I´ve been around for awhile=) Much obliged!

[kellychambliss.livejournal.com]

Glad you liked it; I want everyone in HP fandom to read and love it. It's so good that it makes me think I should just quit writing now. Why bother, when others can write like that! /g/

[alwaysimploding.livejournal.com]

That´s exactly what I thought, but then I figured I should make an effort to improve instead. Even if I know I´ll never be that good, I can still use the best stuff as an inspiration to get better...=)

[minervas-eule.livejournal.com]

*Oh for goodness'sake* DON'T even feel like that for a second, don't even say so to scare us!

I had not planned to comment on the so much loved "Memory of Sigmund Freud", but now I think it might not hurt to mention here that I could not really like it... It is honestly just "too much" for my poor comprehension, obviously: it starts with me not getting the reference of the titel, and continues that way... I always have the suspicion that everything has a double meaning (I am sure it does), but I am too stupid to figure it out - so: gone is the joy...; why is he reading aloud just this piece of poetry, for example...; and Severus' to and fro between Alastor and Minerva does wear me out as it must have done him *gg*...it is just too much *sigh* (I suspect I am just too old...); of course there are things I do like - the time and setting to start with, but I love your stories so much more!

[therealsnape.livejournal.com]

It's so good that it makes me think I should just quit writing now. Mmm. I'm beginning to like it less. No story has the right to such side-effects!
Do I really need to tell you how wonderfully well-written your stories are; how much I look forward to every new one; what a great writer of snappy dialogue you are; how your descriptions make me sick with envy? Just let me know and I'll send you a daily fannote till the mood passes - I'm sure minervas_eule will join me ...

Oh, and what I actually returned here for, that 'A Way Out' story was a delight. I fully agree on the Beckett undertones, but was strongly reminded of No Exit as well. Thanks!

[kellychambliss.livejournal.com]

I'll send you a daily fannote till the mood passes

Haha! No, I was just joking...just a bit of hyperbole to indicate how ecstatic I am over "Freud." (Not angling for compliments, truly! I'm just seriously impressed by this writer. I may have told you this anecdote before, about a scene in the film Singin' in the Rain where two emotional teenagers are watching their favorite movie stars on screen. Of the leading lady they admire but despair of ever being like, one teen says, with a sort of deadpan moroseness, "She's so refined. I think I'll kill myself." That's the effect I intend /g/)

"A Way Out" was fun; you're right about "No Exit." I've really been pleased with the Snapely Holidays overall -- the percentage of stories of high quality has been high.

[therealsnape.livejournal.com]

I know you don't angle for compliments - it was just such a heaven-sent opportunity to shower you with some, in between the usual reviews!

[kellychambliss.livejournal.com]

Oh for goodness'sake* DON'T even feel like that for a second

Oh, no worries, I was just being "emo" for fun /g/.

It is honestly just "too much" for my poor comprehension

Actually, I think I misread the whole thing a couple of times at least -- had to keep leaving new comments outlining my different thoughts.

You're right about Severus and his "to and fro" (that made me laugh aloud)...but he's only 21 or so, so it's probably not the exhausting schedule it would be for us! (although Minerva and Moody, evidently, also have a bit more stamina than one might expect, especially poor drink-sodden old Alastor/g/)