Comments | idler_1814: Steam and Sterling

idler_1814

Steam and Sterling

Jan 22, 2010 08:41

For the letter S in lokei's Horatio Hornblower Alphabet Soup ficathon
TITLE: Steam and Sterling
AUTHOR: Idler
CHARACTERS: Hornblower
RATING: G, Gen
DISCLAIMER: Not mine, not for profit
AUTHOR'S NOTE: Book canon, spoilers from Lord Hornblower forward. Obsessive book canonistas might find a second theme embedded within the first.

( Steam and Sterling )

Comments 18

brewsternorth January 22 2010, 14:34:07 UTC

Meeeeeeep. HH had to be feeling something like that in AH, didn't he? Concealing his feelings like a stoic Englishman.

idler_1814 January 22 2010, 14:54:21 UTC

I'd like to think so, anyway. CSF often told us more about Hornblower by showing us what he doesn't do than by overt exposition. I always hoped this was one of those times...it's better than thinking he's a cold-hearted son of a gun.

black_hound January 22 2010, 15:59:36 UTC

So. Much. <3.

The references? MAKE MY FANGIRL HEART SING.

*draws squishy hearts around the boyz* *and you*

idler_1814 January 22 2010, 18:38:18 UTC

Thank you so much!! I'm delighted to know that the subtext was not incomprehensible after all.

sharpiefan January 22 2010, 22:31:46 UTC

Wow. That's... wow.

*squishes you*

That follows on incredibly well (I think) from my own fic Passing of an Era.

(If I'm not being big-headed in saying so, anyway.)

idler_1814 January 22 2010, 22:49:52 UTC

Oh, it does follow very well! In fact, if you read my comment to you in response to your work, you'll see the germ of this idea. I had forgotten all about that conversation, but I'm sure it must have planted the seeds.

I'm pleased that you liked it!

sharpiefan January 22 2010, 23:00:06 UTC

I had completely forgotten that conversation! I'm glad to see the resulting fic, though. I always love reading your work; you write so well and with such vivid images.

katriona_s January 23 2010, 09:11:40 UTC

Glad to get your new story at last. As skillful as usual, how nicely you pick out the proper moment among the various stages of Hornblower's life! In such a short piece you described many things, reminded me of Joseph Conrad's "The Mirror of the Sea".

idler_1814 January 23 2010, 21:34:23 UTC

Thank you! I'm very glad you liked this one.

anteros_lmc January 24 2010, 17:16:18 UTC

the ridiculous pleasure of sails well set
Or indeed the ridiculous pleasure of words well set! This is beautifully crafted little gem. Gorgeous and poignant.

idler_1814 January 25 2010, 01:10:02 UTC

Thank you, but I really can't take much credit for it. Many of the phrases and images are from CSF himself: *ridiculous pleasure* (from Flying Colours) is one of several which form the subtext of this piece.

I suppose I'll have to post an annotated version eventually...I fear I was too, too obscure!

anteros_lmc January 25 2010, 09:47:21 UTC

Oh shush, you're being far too modest! :)