AU Meme Revival

[awanderingbard]

I was reading a Sharpe novel today and, through a series of random thoughts, eventually decided I could move Sherlock characters into the Napoleonic Wars and have it mostly work. Which then reminded me of this meme.

The Hypothetical AU Meme:
Take any one of the fandoms you know I write AND give me a type of AU (space opera AU, pirate AU, superhero AU, etc.) or a time period (Ancient Rome, Feudal Japan, Victorian England, etc). I will then explain what story from that fandom I would write for that AU.

I'm going to extend this to say any fandom you know I like, not necessarily write for.

Comments

[donutsweeper.livejournal.com]

A Sharpe novel, as in Sharpe's Rifles (etc) by Bernard Cornwell? I love love love love love that series.

Not sure you've written in 'Merlin' but as I know you've watched at least some.... Merlin in the '60s (ala Woodstock and hippies and whatnot)

[awanderingbard.livejournal.com]

I totally wrote a really awesome comment and then Lj ate it. I is sad. But I will try to recreate it.

(Setting this in America)
Merlin is attending a prestigious university on a scholarship, and his roommate turns out to be a rich, obnoxious prat named Arthur Pendragon who treats him like his own personal servant. Nevertheless the two form an unlikely friendship and Merlin manages to convince
Arthur to make a move on the girl he has a crush on, Gwen, a beautiful flower child who Arthur's father would never approve of. The three of them, along with Morgana, a radical Vietnam War protester, get up to all sorts of shenangans, avoiding the watchful eye or Mr. Gaius, their dorm father. When Arthur gets called up by the draft, Merlin hastily volunteers, determined to protect and help his friend. Their platoon consists of a motley crew of men including Lance (Gwen's perfect ex), Elyan (Gwen's brother), Percy (the strong, silent one), Leon (the older, wiser one) and Gwaine (the wacky, charming one). No one puts much stock in Merlin's ability to fight, but he may just surprise them all.

(And yes, those Sharpe novels. I love them too, and the series. I'm reading one of the ones set in India and young!Wellington's dialogue reminded me of Mycroft and my brain went all crazy.) :D

[donutsweeper.livejournal.com]

OOOOH, I love it! I would love to read it! Excellent work!

I didn't think the India ones were as good as the first run of Napoleonic wars ones, but I absolutely loved the scene where Sharpe saves Wesley (was that his name pre-Wellington? It's been ages since I read them I don't really remember) life.

Have you seen the Sharpe's series starring Sean Bean? I have an unhealthy amount of love for the first three (Rifles, Eagle and Gold)

[awanderingbard.livejournal.com]

I'm just coming up on that part in the book, I think. They're heading toward Assaye at the moment, which is where it happens, if I recall correctly. You were close! It's Wellesley or some such spelling.

The tv series is how I got into the books, actually. I was on a big Horatio Hornblower kick at the time and so many people compared the two that I just went out and bought the first box set of videos and fell in love. Mum and I are working are way through them in order from Zip. We just saw Sharpe's Revenge. It was weird, because I had read two of the books previously, the one that comes before Revenge and the one that comes after, without having been able to find Revenge at the store. And stuff happens in Revenge, big ass stuff that I was like 'what happened, everyone was so happy last book?'. So I was happy to get the full story. :-D

[donutsweeper.livejournal.com]

I discovered the books via the series as well. Actually I've discovered a LOT of books through tv/movies (the Cadfael books, Dresden Files, and Nero Wolfe come to mind immediately, but I'm sure there are more). What I really love about the Sharpe's series is how, even though Daragh O'Mally (Harper, I'm probably spelling his name wrong) and Sean Bean (Sharpe) don't *physically* look a thing like they're described in the early books they *were* the characters. And the author was so impressed he dedicated a book to each.

[awanderingbard.livejournal.com]

I heard that Paul McGann was originally supposed to play Sharpe, but hurt his knee during or before filming and was replaced. As much as I love, love, love Sean Bean as Sharpe, I think Paul would have done a good job as well and looked more like Sharpe is described. Though, I notice as the books go along that Sharpe and Harper tend to get more details similar to their onscreen counterparts.

My mum is a little in love with Daragh O'Malley. She always says 'that's my boy' when his name comes up on the credits. I was surprised when I read the books to find that Harper is supposed to be quite a bit younger than Sharpe. I like that Harper is a bit older than Sharpe on screen. It makes it sweeter that he has such faith in Sharpe.

[donutsweeper.livejournal.com]

I had no idea about Paul McGann! He certainly looks a lot more like how Sharpe is described in the books. He'd have done a good job, I think.

Yes, mucking about with Harper's age makes it work that much better in my opinion. Oh and btw? Your mom is awesome :)

[awanderingbard.livejournal.com]

Oh and btw? Your mom is awesome :)

I keep trying to tell her this, but she never believes me. I shall use you as further proof. :D

[rodlox.livejournal.com]

I think I heard once, that Mr. Cornwall was so impressed with the movie series (or the actors, or both), that he found a way to have both the onscreen and inprint Sharpe's be right about where he's from.