August Bookclub Post
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poi_fanworks
Welcome to the Person of Interest Book Club! Your mods are
st_aurafina and livenudebigfoot and this year we're hoping to read all of the 2018 Big Bang fics. This is the reading and discussion post for August.Last month we were in the wilderness. Puff out your cravat, because this month it's a Regency AU.
Remember, the discussion post will be here. I'll link back here on the 21st. You don't have to wait till the 21st to comment, though. Have at, if you're done early.
All fics are linked by permission of the authors, and the same goes for the art. (Thank you, creators!)
Our fic for August is A Certain Step Towards Falling In Love by
And art by
A Certain Step Towards Falling In Love (22443 words) by Dien, ProblemWithTrouble
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: Person of Interest (TV)
Rating: General Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Relationships: Harold Finch/John Reese, Root | Samantha Groves/Sameen Shaw
Characters: Harold Finch, John Reese, Root | Samantha Groves, Sameen Shaw, Nathan Ingram, Joss Carter, Lionel Fusco, Will Ingram
Additional Tags: Alternate Universe - Regency, Alternate Universe - Pride and Prejudice Fusion, Suit Porn
Series: Part 5 of POI
Summary:
John Reese is content with his life as a Regency era bachelor until he gets new neighbors in Netherfield and now he can't stop thinking about the trio that moved it - Ingram, Root, and Finch. Mostly he can't stop thinking about Finch and how he knows so much about all of them.
Go forth and read! Here are some questions to bear in mind while you read:
1. What was your initial reaction to the fic? Were you immediately hooked, or did it take you a while to get into it?
2. What themes or style choices did you notice as you were reading the fic?
3. In what ways does the fic feel like canon? In what ways does it differ?
4. What was your favourite scene?
5. Which character did you relate to most and what was it about them that you connected to?
6. Did the fic change your perspective on an aspect of canon or a character?
7. Share a favourite quote or excerpt.
8. What did you think of the ending?
9. How did the art affect or enhance your reading of the fic?
10. What are some questions you have for the author?
I'll check back in on the 14th with a reminder, then again on the 21st to start some discussion. Then on the 1st of September, all going according to plan, we'll do it again with a new big bang fic.
Go forth, read and enjoy.
Here's a handy-dandy box where you can cut and paste the questions. And don't forget to comment on the fic itself to let the author know you enjoyed it.
(no subject)
Date: 2020-08-02 12:44 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2020-08-03 11:36 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2020-08-03 09:13 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2020-08-03 11:36 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2020-08-22 02:33 pm (UTC)I love the kind of AU where you can dive in and start figuring out where everyone fits, so it's great to be reading about John the gentleman farmer and his lovingly cranky family. John is so wonderfully tetchy and isolated. He and Shaw make great siblings.
Also I love the cameos! Lily the cook! I love how you look! And Ernie Trask, travelling salesman extraordinaire!
2. What themes or style choices did you notice as you were reading the fic?
This is definitely a story of found family – I really loved John and Shaw's origin stories as tiny little thieves that were adopted. It's adorable.
There's some social commentary on same-sex relationships, also. Nathan's allowed to have his straight romance with Ms Morgan, but Root and Harold are denied their own loves.
3. In what ways does the fic feel like canon? In what ways does it differ?
The bickering and the snark land it right in the same mode as the show – Harold and John have their very familiar banter front and centre.
Root and Shaw's canon fascination with each other came through very strongly, as did Shaw's lack of care of anyone else's opinion.
And of course, Harold's flamboyant dress sense! I loved all the descriptions of the clothes.
In terms of differing - well, the origin stories (which I loved, by the way). Harold doesn't seem to be pining for Grace as much as in canon. Nathan is alive. (Yay!!) It's a very big change, this AU, which I guess is what makes the similarities so much fun to pick up on.
4. What was your favourite scene?
Oh, the dancing scene in the secret office. It was wonderful and romantic. Just visually so lovely.
5. Which character did you relate to most and what was it about them that you connected to?
I think Shaw – I'd like to be able to walk away from other peoples' opinions like that. She clearly had no fucks to give, in a very regimented society, and I loved that. So, not so much relate to, but aspire to, I guess.
6. Did the fic change your perspective on an aspect of canon or a character?
It did unexpectedly show me a Shaw who can stomp right through polite society and still be accepted. I really liked that she walked around in pants as much as possible. I was glad – it would have been hard to sell me on Shaw in a corset.
7. Share a favourite quote or excerpt.
There were a lot! But the one that made me laugh out loud, despite the tension in that part of the story was this:
“I had a hobby but Ingram didn’t like my hobby because he’s a coward and he convinced your hobby to run back to London,” Shaw stood up from the chair and started towards the door.
Shaw is just so very like herself, no matter what century this is. I love it.
8. What did you think of the ending?
The ending was full of drama, and resolved really well with a whole lot of well-earned sweetness. It was wonderful.
9. How did the art affect or enhance your reading of the fic?
Finch in his red coat! The cravats and waistcoats! It was romantic and lovely. I especially liked the way the art was framed – it really suited the era the fic was set in.
10. What are some questions you have for the author?
What made you go for this setting? Are you a big Regency fan?
How do you imagine Harold and John carrying out their relationship, in an ongoing way? Are they going to go for the fake married scenario with Root and Shaw?
(no subject)
Date: 2020-08-22 02:59 pm (UTC)Honestly, you only need to say Regency AU and I’m there. Also I really like how the opening paragraph takes the famous first line of Pride & Prejudice and goes on to deconstruct all the assumptions contained within it. That reinterpretation is what fandom is all about.
2. What themes or style choices did you notice as you were reading the fic?
So. Many. Secrets. It’s such a good combination! It takes the ‘we will die if this gets out’ from PoI and gives it the ‘our reputation will be ruined if this gets out’ from Austen. So you still get all the ‘don’t trust’ tension but it’s lower stakes.
3. In what ways does the fic feel like canon? In what ways does it differ?
All the character voices and attitudes are spot on, just slightly adapted language wise to fit in with the setting. Their backstories are very similar but a lot less tragic. I like how the mayhem twins have actually grown up as distant siblings, that’s quite different but feels right.
4. What was your favourite scene?
The scene where Will is causing trouble, deliberately trampling all over the things they’re not supposed to talk about! It’s fun. Plus the Reese/Finch flirting in that scene is super smooth and makes me happy.
5. Which character did you relate to most and what was it about them that you connected to?
It’s all from Reese’s PoV so we mostly hear about his emotions. I did feel badly for him when he gets so frustrated by Finch’s refusal to tell him the truth.
6. Did the fic change your perspective on an aspect of canon or a character?
Not my perspective, so much? But it made me realise I desperately want Root, Finch and Nathan to take on the world at the same time, seeing those three together was so good.
7. Share a favourite quote or excerpt.
“Do you see now why you shouldn’t love me?”
“Because you faked your death on accident. I think I’ve got you beat in the sins department, Harold.”
[…]You won’t be safe and I won’t let you die so that you can lay in bed with some old man.”
Despite himself John felt a smile growing across his cheeks. “I think I get to decide what I’m willing to die for.”
“I won’t let that be me,” Harold whispered.
8. What did you think of the ending?
It’s so happy, and without anyone having to change their existing routine all too much (Fusco and Carter will still come to John’s house to talk business). It makes me grin to think of Shaw having to get married to Finch, some comedy potential there. The line ‘Finch loved the library of Netherfield’ gives me so many fluffy images of him reading indoors when it’s raining, and going for long walks in the grounds with John and Bear when it’s sunny. I just love it.
9. How did the art affect or enhance your reading of the fic?
IT’S SO PERFECT. We get a glimpse of them dancing in the mirror on the wall of Harold’s study, it’s really very fitting. And the detail on the wallpaper and John’s waistcoat is seriously impressive.
10. What are some questions you have for the author?
Have you / Would you consider writing more Austen adaptations? Or more literature fusions in general? You did such a great job on this one.
(no subject)
Date: 2020-08-22 09:30 pm (UTC)The first line clued me in to think about Jane Austen.
In what ways does the fic feel like canon? In what ways does it differ?
The story’s connection to canon was most pronounced in terms of Harold’s gathering of information on everybody, and John’s research into Harold’s background. However, there is also divergence in that the two of them were using the same types of investigation tactics in this story, which was not the case in the series.
Which character did you relate to most and what was it about them that you connected to?
The story focused heavily on John’s thoughts, which made him by far the most fully realized character, and thus the one easiest to relate to.
Share a favourite quote or excerpt.
“I was looking for you.”
“In the drawer?”
What did you think of the ending?
I was wondering how a happy ending could be accomplished within the constraints of Regency period morés. The author’s choice makes sense as a workable resolution.
How did the art affect or enhance your reading of the fic?
Within that cover illustration, the depiction of Finch made me think of a silhouette portrait, which I thought was fitting for a period piece.
What are some questions you have for the author?
Is the idea of thieftaking original with you, or is that an idea that you found somewhere else?
(no subject)
Date: 2020-08-25 11:52 pm (UTC)My initial reaction was skepticism. I've read so many Regency books and the fandom crossovers often fall so short, but I was pleasantly surprised that the author of this fic hit all the right notes. I particularly liked the realistic ending!
(no subject)
Date: 2020-08-30 03:54 am (UTC)I got into it pretty immediately. I love AUs in general, and there’s always a low level of excitement for me in the opening scenes of any AU: where do our favorite characters appear in this universe? How are they the same? How are they different? How are their stories uniquely shaped or recontextualized by this new setting? The Pride & Prejudice quote drops us right into the ‘verse before subverting the truth universally acknowledged.
2. What themes or style choices did you notice as you were reading the fic?
The influence of Pride & Prejudice is pretty apparent, both in relatively obvious ways (the opening line, Netherfield as the Finch&Ingram&Root house). I also noticed that descriptions of light and reflections of light featured heavily in sensual scenes.
3. In what ways does the fic feel like canon? In what ways does it differ?
Secrecy is a major theme in this fic and also a major theme in canon. I think the way this AU best resonates with the source material is the use of scenes where characters withhold information or try to suss out information.
4. What was your favourite scene?
The secret dance in the secret office. It was very sweet.
5. Which character did you relate to most and what was it about them that you connected to?
In a more straightforward sense, Reese definitely is: we’re all up in his head, and his thoughts are very accessible. However, I frequently use this question to discuss my MVP for the fic, and I think it might be Nathan. In a world of obfuscation, he is a relatively straightforward party dude, and I respect it in the utmost.
6. Did the fic change your perspective on an aspect of canon or a character?
In thinking about the intricacy and ritualization of Regency-era social situations, it did get me thinking about how heavily ritualized some aspects of canon are.
7. Share a favourite quote or excerpt.
“I’m not like the people who get away with torrid affairs. I have no long family line that can ask for a pardon or a look in the other direction while we run off to another country. You won’t be safe and I won’t let you die so that you can lay in bed with some old man.”
Despite himself John felt a smile growing across his cheeks. “I think I get to decide what I’m willing to die for.”
“I won’t let that be me,” Harold whispered.
Other people have said this one, but I wanted to highlight it anyway because I think it’s very affecting.
8. What did you think of the ending?
I was pleasantly surprised at how upbeat it was, given the circumstances. My heart wants a sequel that’s like a mannered comedy of errors about the marriage setup at the end because it’s so rife with potential for silliness. Reese is pretending to be in love with Root. Finch is pretending to be in love with Shaw. Doors are opening, doors are closing, there are so many misunderstandings, somebody trips and falls face-first into a cake.
9. How did the art affect or enhance your reading of the fic?
It’s very lovely! It feels very of-the-time, like a lovely little cameo or an image hung in a very forward-thinking gentleman’s sitting room.
10. What are some questions you have for the author?
It’s very clear that Pride & Prejudice was an influence on this fic. I’m curious if there were other influences – fictional or historical – powering this AU.
(no subject)
Date: 2020-10-12 01:02 am (UTC)1. What was your initial reaction to the fic? Were you immediately hooked, or did it take you a while to get into it? immediately hooked - i love regency stories
2. What themes or style choices did you notice as you were reading the fic?
3. In what ways does the fic feel like canon? In what ways does it differ? john and harold's relationship.
4. What was your favourite scene? the dance in Harold's office
5. Which character did you relate to most and what was it about them that you connected to?
6. Did the fic change your perspective on an aspect of canon or a character? no
7. Share a favourite quote or excerpt. root telling everyone how she and john's were madly in love.
8. What did you think of the ending? loved it!
9. How did the art affect or enhance your reading of the fic? it complimented the work very well
10. What are some questions you have for the author? what made you deide to write a regency AU?