Batman Begins | Blackadder | Blade Runner | Brokeback Mountain | Coupling | Dogma | Firefly | Galaxy Quest | Gosford Park | House, MD | Indiana Jones | Jesus Christ Superstar | Labyrinth | Lost in Translation | Real person fiction | Remington Steele | Rocky Horror Picture Show | Sex and the City | Sleepy Hollow | Smallville | The Good Life | The Princess Bride | Twin Peaks | Who Framed Roger Rabbit | Wire in the Blood | Yes, Minister
The Kid from the Narrows by Ro
'You're too old for teddybears but you cling to something nonetheless. ...You fall asleep clutching the metal casing and wake with his symbol pressed deep into your palm.' Excellent use of a minor character to illuminate Batman and especially the city he patrols. The second-person narration works very nicely here
[Added 11/11/2008; Drama; 2500-6000; Batman Begins]
Lodestone by Eyebrow of Doom
'At the corner, a section of veneer the size of a silver dollar was missing, revealing chipboard beneath. Like Gordon's failings as a provider, this had a certain humble charm, but would become less charming over time.' Gritty portrait of Jim Gordon, full of well-chosen details
[Added 11/11/2008; Drama; 1000-2500; Batman Begins]
Such Deliberate Disguises by LC
'Out in the field, the post hanging bare.' Creepy character dissection, language precise as a scalpel
[Added 30/12/2005; Character Piece; 1000-2500; Batman Begins]
Field Marshal by Lakester
I don't think I've ever recommended script format before, but this could so easily be an episode from the Beeb. Worth reading just for the turnip joke
[Added 13/01/2005; Humour; 2500-6000; Blackadder]
Pride Goeth Before by Silk Knickers
'We should be their gods, not they ours.' A subtle tale of awakening, beautifully conveyed
[Added 03/01/2007; Drama; 1000-2500; Blade Runner]
A Man's God-Given Right by Trascendenza
'Their roots gave them stability and comfort, helped them weather the inevitable trouble, made the nights when one of them had to sit on the porch with the shotgun easier to bear.' I don't usually recommend fix-it AUs, but this feels absolutely right, with spot-on character voices and a decided lack of saccharine
[Added 11/11/2008; Drama; <1000; Brokeback Mountain]
Grown Men Do Things Together by Katta
'Real life does not resemble porn. That's why it's porn.' Dialogue at its best: delicious fun
[Added 30/12/2005; Humour; 1000-2500; Coupling]
The Priest that Tastes the World by Proserpina
'Being the Voice of God could be a confusing experience. He was never quite sure which thoughts were his own and which were the speech of God.' Sweet & funny, with some perfect observations on the deity
[Added 30/12/2005; Humour; 1000-2500; Dogma]
Plum Blossom Song by Unovis
'In a small scarlet book, in neatly inked numbers, Inara tracked her year according to Sihnon.' A delicious little peek into the Companion's way of life. Delicately written, with a deft mix of humour & sadness
[Added 19/08/2005; Romance/Erotica; 1000-2500; Firefly]
Something in Leather by Mosca
'Kaylee...was lost in the imaginary world where she was a magical cowgirl princess. Wash understood imaginary worlds and was cautious of interfering in them.' A clever ensemble character piece, cunningly masquerading as kinkfic
[Added 19/08/2005; Character Piece; 1000-2500; Firefly]
The Rebirth of Brandon Wheeger by Janice Chess
'He's always chosen fantasy over reality. But that's not stupid, that's smart, because reality sucks.' A wonderful coming-of-age tale, which will make geek hearts happy all over the galaxy. Sweet & funny
[Added 17/07/2009; Drama; 6000-20,000; Galaxy Quest]
Sometimes On The Rarest Nights by Clionaeilis
Clionaeilis constructs an entire era through Ivo Novello's letters to Mabel Nesbitt in this clever epistolary story, with its seamless blend of fact & fiction. The glimpses of other characters' futures are a bonus
[Added 18/07/2009; Character Piece; 6000-20,000; Gosford Park]
Beggarman, Thief by Secondary Author
'There was one thing the counselor had gotten right, kind of: his stealing had nothing to do with immediate need. Only son of solidly middle-class parents: House had never lacked for anything--or, rather, the things he lacked were not the sort you could steal.' A well-shaped piece that takes a perceptive look at House's kleptomania
[Added 13/05/2009; Character Piece; 2500-6000; House, MD]
The Cat That Walked By Himself by Secondary Author
'Counting out loud, he came up with the names of at least seven dogs he'd owned as a kid. Well, not so much owned as inherited: usually they came with the military housing, left behind by previous occupants along with dying houseplants and mismatched crockery.' An unusual & memorable character exploration that wanders around a bit, but always rings true
[Added 13/05/2009; Character Piece; 2500-6000; House, MD]
Lies, damn lies and statistics by nigeltde
'Patient's symptoms: eight straight hours working with dying people, no lunch break, one coffee break only; three subsequent days avoiding all work, hiding out in the cafeteria (although not at lunchtime, more's the pity), his office, Cuddy's office, even the clinic, without once showing his face in House's own department; a devil-may-care attitude towards clothing, resulting in the foregoing of a doctor's coat and, horror of horrors, an argyle-patterned tie; and a renewal of the kind of behaviour that would get a less charming and attractive man a lawsuit from every woman in the place.' A well-written story featuring one of the best House voices I've encountered
[Added 14/05/2009; Drama; 6000-20,000; House, MD]
Maryland by Shalott
'"New project, kids," he announced, coming in. "I want to know everything there is to know about the oncology department." ' Shalott's take on House boasts strong characterisations all round, and despite the lack of patient of the week, there's more of the feel of an episode than much fanfiction for this series
[Added 14/05/2009; Drama; 2500-6000; House, MD]
Pain and Magic by Violet Quill
'"This is possibly the most boring case you have ever brought before me. A cranky old man with problems controlling his bladder and arthritis. Call in the frickin' cavalry." / "And he thinks he's a wizard."' A jewel of a premise, with spot-on characterisations all round (House/HP)
[Added 07/08/2008; Drama; 2500-6000; House, MD; Crossover]
Things To Do Before You Die by The Dead Parrot
'"Well, seeing as it's your thirty-eight and a half birthday, I thought you might want to go through your list. Get started on your midlife crisis."' Believable dialogue & precise details make this sweetly amusing vignette stand out from the House/Wilson hordes
[Added 14/05/2009; Humour; 1000-2500; House, MD]
Indiana Jones and the Chinatown Ghosts by Lemuel Cork
'If Sallah could hear him now. Mr. Tough Guy, used to be able to take a bullet in the arm and keep going full-steam, save the girl and get the gold and the hell with the pain, and now he was griping because his eye patch dug into his cheek.' A peek at the hero, after the story ends. Melancholy & atmospheric
[Added 03/01/2007; Drama; 2500-6000; Indiana Jones]
I, Jehudah by Jay Tryfanstone
An original twist on an age-old story. Strongly recommended
[Added 13/01/2005; Drama; 2500-6000; Jesus Christ Superstar]
A Forfeit of Dreams by KL Morgan
A thoughtful view of the universe, above-average characterisations & a believable ending go to make 'A Forfeit of Dreams' the best take on the 'adult Sarah returns to the Labyrinth' genre I've read. (The epilogue & abandoned sequel, What Dreams Must Come, don't work quite as well for me, but you might disagree)
[Added 22/07/2004; Drama; >50,000; Labyrinth]
Galatea by KL Morgan
'Days later when everything was itself again, when the moon and sun were found and put back where they belonged...' Like all good Labyrinth fanfiction should be, but almost invariably isn't
[Added 22/07/2004; Romance/Erotica; 6000-20,000; Labyrinth; Adult]
Something Has to Give by AKA Jay
'Magic leaves traces on you, tiny shimmering beacons that call to the source, nagging it to come take back its missing fragments. Sarah was now bearing the occult equivalent of "If found, please return to..." tags. Of course, at this point she was trying earnestly to forget the name that was written on the flyleaf of her soul.' A Pratchettesque sequel to Labyrinth. Incomplete, & unfortunately likely to remain that way, but still well worth a try
[Added 22/07/2004; Humour; 20,000-50,000; Labyrinth; WiP]
Late by Memorycharm
'Sometimes, Charlotte thought she'd imagined meeting him in Tokyo.' A delicate coda that somehow remains perfectly in the spirit of the film, despite the film ending perfectly
[Added 13/01/2005; Character Piece; 1000-2500; Lost in Translation]
Alternate by Kaydee Falls
I love fiction that explores the workings of chance. Give this unusual series of drabbles a chance even if you never read real person fiction (Lotrips)
[Added 12/02/2004; Drama; 1000-2500; Real person fiction]
Not Waving But Drowning by Toft Froggy
'Paul flirts shamelessly, almost compulsively, with any woman that crosses his path, but when he’s Avon and Gareth is Blake, all that fickle attention is focused on him, and he feels like the axis on which the world turns.' A perceptive exploration of the interplay between actors & roles (Blake's 7 RPF)
[Added 15/07/2008; Drama; 1000-2500; Real person fiction]
And Still More Tomorrow by Medie
'Murphy...tells himself he's a detective, some days he even believes it. Most days he punches the clock and waits for the weekend.' Bittersweet backstory for a character that canon short-changed & most fanfiction overlooks
[Added 11/11/2008; Character Piece; 1000-2500; Remington Steele]
Put the Blame on Steele by Yahtzee
'In Steele's opinion, reality is grievously overrated.' A top-notch character study, done just as it should be, through the movies. I smiled all the way through this one
[Added 03/11/2004; Romance/Erotica; 2500-6000; Remington Steele]
Six Ans de Mer by Dirty Diana
'Maybe she's not a falling kind of girl.' Subtle picture of a shifting relationship
[Added 30/12/2005; Romance/Erotica; 1000-2500; Remington Steele]
Steele and Old Lace by Xenon
Delightfully zany! This retake on 'Arsenic and Old Lace' could easily be an episode of the series
[Added 29/10/2004; Humour; >50,000; Remington Steele; Crossover]
Steele to be Discovered by Xenon
Excellent characterisations & good dialogue, married with a twisty plot with the same madcap feel as the series, make this a gem amongst 'Remington Steele' fanfiction. Xenon's other 'Remington Steele' adventures listed on the author's site are also worth a look; I'd particularly recommend 'Edge of Steele' & 'Steele Stolen'
[Added 29/10/2004; Drama; 6000-20,000; Remington Steele]
Wiles by Rosedark
'Magenta couldn't say that she particularly mourned the sudden death of their delivery boy, but the whole affair was distasteful.' Most Rocky Horror fanfiction focuses on the human outsiders' perspective. Rosedark instead looks at the castle from the inside, in this convincingly alien portrait centering around Magenta
[Added 07/08/2009; Drama; 2500-6000; Rocky Horror Picture Show]
The Good That Won't Come Out by Cheapmetaphor
'Samantha thinks that this is the worst part of getting older, you have to smile more.' Excellent not-so-happily-ever-after tale. One of those stories that's more profound than the show that inspired it
[Added 13/01/2005; Character Piece; <1000; Sex and the City]
The Tin Man by Ro
'As for Ichabod Crane: the bullet did not miss, not in this world, for the Lady shot true and shattered his heart to pieces.' Nicely written little AU, a blend of horror & whimsy very much in character with the film
[Added 13/01/2005; Drama; 1000-2500; Sleepy Hollow]
All recommendations are from Season 1
Cotton by Vera
A very believable view into Martha's head. Nice concrete detailing and some lovely phrases
[Added 13/01/2004; Character Piece; <1000; Smallville]
A Good Year for the Corn by Beth
Simple idea, but it's the details that make this story for me. The author contrasts style and content very effectively
[Added 13/01/2004; Drama; 1000-2500; Smallville]
Hell Money by FayJay
'Hell Money' is the story that first made me realise that crossovers can be made to work. It crosses Smallville with Angel S2, and knowledge of both is required, but for those who love both series, it packs a resounding punch into fewer than a thousand words. Strongly recommended. If you enjoyed 'Hell Money', then give No Fury a try -- another very clever Smallville crossover
[Added 13/01/2004; Humour; <1000; Smallville; Crossover]
Memento Mori by Jayne Leitch
'L is for Lana; two parents she lacked.' Not many stories make me feel for Lana and this one did; she's excellently characterised, simultaneously interesting and believable
[Added 13/01/2004; Character Piece; 1000-2500; Smallville]
Precipice by Hope
A moment in Whitney's life that unfolds to tell you more about his character than seemed possible. This writing just hums with energy
[Added 13/01/2004; Character Piece; 1000-2500; Smallville]
Quid Quo Pro by Smitty
This well-crafted short story deals with Lillian's death without over-sentimentality, and includes a childhood Lex I can believe in
[Added 13/01/2004; Drama; 2500-6000; Smallville]
Shrine by DarkEmerald
Every word counts in this subtle vignette. You get excellent characterisation, fabulous images, and flashes of humour to leaven the angst
[Added 13/01/2004; Character Piece; <1000; Smallville]
Undone by Hope
I like stories that jump out of their mould to bite me. A fluent stylish read, coupled with a well-constructed plot and great characterisation, especially perhaps of Lex
[Added 13/01/2004; Drama; 6000-20,000; Smallville]
Too Much, Too Little by Cheapmetaphor
'She has her own pursuits. Music, pottery, an upstairs bathroom in major need of redecorating.' A delicate character study that feels much longer than its thousand words
[Added 30/12/2005; Character Piece; 1000-2500; The Good Life]
The Most Excellent and Lamentable Tragedy of Westley and Buttercup by Atra
'"This is True Love. It ends happily. We must believe that."' Perfect characterisations as the world spirals out of control in this anything-but-happily-ever-after ending for Westley & Buttercup. It's the frame story, though, that really makes this heartbreaking
[Added 17/08/2009; Drama; 2500-6000; The Princess Bride]
always music in the air by bossymarmalade
'Thinking is something he has to struggle to do here; it doesn't slide easily along the patterns of black and white, it doesn't adhere easily to curtains and sheets of red.' A surreal interlude that captures Lynch's brand of weirdness in a way that most fanfiction for this series just misses
[Added 04/08/2009; Drama; 1000-2500; Twin Peaks]
Blue Velvet to Moon River by Gabihime
'Fidelity, Bravery, and Integrity were the words he'd steel-belted his life with.' An exquisitely Lynchian short, sensuous & disturbing
[Added 30/12/2005; Romance/Erotica; 1000-2500; Twin Peaks]
The Merry-Go-Round Broke Down by Merlin Missy
Someone's deleting toons, and this time it's Jessica who's the prime suspect. This inventive murder mystery works on several different levels, and never fails to amuse
[Added 11/11/2008; Drama; 6000-20,000; Who Framed Roger Rabbit]
Erotophonophilia by Loz
'Sex. It has to be sex. It's always sex in cases like this. Repression. Expression. Shut it in, let it out. Murder is always about lust, isn't it.' An intense vignette that nails the character voices, particularly Tony's
[Added 11/11/2008; Drama; 1000-2500; Wire in the Blood; Adult]
A Completely Authorised Biography by Lakester
'Sir Humphrey found Jim Hacker to be -- not only an open book -- but one with large colourful illustrations.' Amusing sketch that captures Sir Humphrey's voice remarkably well
[Added 22/04/2006; Humour; 1000-2500; Yes, Minister]
