Yuletide Recs I

[chomiji]

We seem to have a pretty much all-Yuletide all-the-time thing going on ... I guess I'll join in the confetti throwing.

These are sort of scattershot ... I hit the first few things I recognized, and then got more systematic, starting with the letter T:

Blade of the Immortal | CJ Cherryh - Alliance Universe | CJ Cherryh - Chanur series | Terry Pratchett - Discworld | T.H. White - The Once and Future King | xxxHolic

Wasted Words (Blade of the Immortal a/k/a Mugen no Juunin): Five vignettes about Anotsu. Lovely, poetic, minimalist writing, like a brush painting.

Along a Nameless River (Blade of the Immortal a/k/a Mugen no Juunin): A what-if: Manji never shows up at the fight by the lake. Rin, along with Makie and Mugatsu, ends up caring for Anotsu in a small hovel. Very effective Rin-voice, showing us affecting little incidents in what becomes a sort of limbo for all of them.

Norway (CJ Cherryh - Alliance Universe): First off, it's the place, not the ship! But it's also a lovely, snarky Ben Pollard POV, about spending time with people you care about, but don't really like, and what late autumn looks like to someone who's never seen the sky.

Anify's Accord (CJ Cherryh - Chanur series): My gift from Yuletide ... what Geran did when Chur returned to the Pride of Chanur after taking some much deserved leave, and how Chur felt about it. Wonderful sister interaction.

Beginnings (Terry Pratchett - Discworld): Death faces one of the strongest arguments for life, and as usual, makes a good go of it on his own terms. Touching and funny.

Most Interesting Day (Terry Pratchett - Discworld): A cops-and-crooks romp with a Discworld twist - with several of them, actually, including those in the Watchwomen's pink drinks. I snickered and giggled my way through this one.

The Mantle and the Maid (T.H. White - The Once and Future King): A myth comes to young Arthur's court, with unhappy results for all but a few. Affecting and beautiful, written from an unusual POV.

Houses and Rain (xxxHolic): Several of Watanuki's supernatural acquaintances are planning a surprise for him. A lovely, delicate exploration of how they feel about him, and each other.

Comments

[tabaqui]

Yes, i have had a hard time finding other Cherryh fans because some of her stuff really *is* a bit of a rough go at first. But always worth it.