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Holy cow. I've been reading most of the Snupin Santa entries, and as always, there's a grab bag of "good," "lots of fun," and "not my cup of tea."

And then there's "HOLY SMOKES THIS IS AWESOME." You know--the kind of story that defeats you as a writer, because you wish you had written it, and that you haven't makes you unutterably sad.

Modern Love, written for [livejournal.com profile] vibishan, is one such story. 11,000 words, PG-13, post-DH but with some DH events not occurring. The summary is: Set several years after DH, Remus and Severus are in a relationship and raising Teddy together. On the surface things seem wonderful, until you take in insecurity and miscommunication.

It's one of those fics where you are literally immersed in their world, where everything is written so realistically and meaningfully that each paragraph just rolls off the page and into your mind. The characterizations are terrific. I generally avoid any fics with children in them because most I've read have featured some sort of pod-child who bears little or no resemblence to real children--but Teddy, in this fic, is so incredibly well-written that he actually elevates the story instead of hindering it.

Writing a characterization of Severus as father sounds like a challenge--but this story proves that it can be done, and with style. The incredible touches in this story are the things I always long for in wizarding stories--not only does Teddy spout off about potions and magical creatures, but the adults even talk about magical affairs.

There is no graphic content at all. The PG-13 rating says it all--this is a nuanced, lovely piece of work, a story that makes one feel right at home in the wizarding world. I felt like I had slipped into the family and was sitting on the hearth, surrounded by magic and yet still human, full of emotion, feeling, and especially the regret--or sometimes pride--we feel from the choices we make.

(no subject)

Date: 2007-12-09 01:43 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] josanpq.livejournal.com
Thanks for the rec. I needed something 'nice' to read. I love the way Teddy behaves like any other four-year-old. And that he drives both his parents crazy. Like a real kid. LOL!

(no subject)

Date: 2007-12-09 01:49 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] valis2.livejournal.com
Totally! I enjoyed that immensely--the very real challenge of having a kid running around, complicating everything. So glad you liked it!

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