revdorothyl: missmurchsion made this (Default)
revdorothyl ([personal profile] revdorothyl) wrote2013-03-07 11:51 pm

Reading actual BOOKS, for a change . . . and loving it all over again

It seems like ever since I started keeping my laptop next to my bed (it's been over a year now) I've grown terribly lazy (and cheap) in my reading habits, reading (and often re-reading and even re-re-reading) fanfics online instead of actual books by even favorite authors.

I even read the latest Lois McMaster Bujold Vorkosigan-verse novel Captain Vorpatril's Alliance in a free electronic copy last September, thanks to [livejournal.com profile] missmurchison . . . and lost a lot of sleep, being unable to put down the laptop until morning's light, when I was just ten pages short of the ending and couldn't keep my eyes open a second longer!

But yesterday I became reacquainted with "my old self", in a sense, by spending all day and all night reading two novels by new-to-me (but probably not to anybody else!) author Thomas Harris, The Silence of the Lambs and Hannibal . . . in super-cheap, used, library-surplus editions shipped to me from England, courtesy of Amazon, of course. :)

On the other hand, I probably never would've been so keen to read those books if I hadn't recently gone on a binge of reading Silence of the Lambs/Hannibal fanfic, some of which had hinted at some pretty big differences between the books and the movies based on them (which I'd only seen on TV and hadn't particularly loved, though I was intrigued enough and frustrated enough by the ending of the movie "Hannibal" to go looking for alternate ending fanfic).

[Note: selected fanfic recommendations follow below.]

While there was, for me, only one really significant difference among the many smaller changes made in the film version of "Silence" as compared to the book (Clarice having succeeded in saving the life of the blind horse she ran off with in the book, vs. being unsuccessful in saving one lamb from the slaughter in the movie), it was enough to make me glad to have read the novel and to prefer it over the movie, in spite of the undeniable strength of Anthony Hopkins' portrayal of Dr. Lecter.

However, the differences between at least the latter half of the movie "Hannibal" (which is all I happened to catch and re-watch on AMC last Friday, and I don't remember much about the first half at all, if indeed I've ever even seen the movie from the very beginning) and the 500+ pages of the novel which deprived me of sleep last night and this morning were QUITE significant and startling!

Some of the fanfic I'd read had said that it dealt with book rather than movie canon, of course, but never having read the book I had no idea of how much of the fic's divergence from the film was taken directly from the Harris novel and how much was the author's own invention or AU spin on the characters and story developments.

Now that I know the book, I must say that I found it far more satisfying and pleasingly unsettling (if that makes sense at all?) than the film "Hannibal" . . . in spite of the fact that the performances by Julianne Moore and Anthony Hopkins really hooked me in and made me far more interested in possible alternate endings or better futures for Starling and Lecter than the earlier film had done.

I haven't decided whether to go back and read the first Lecter novel, Red Dragon, yet (it was included in one volume with Silence of the Lambs in the old hardcover library edition I bought, and I read the first 60+ pages of Dragon before deciding that I'd prefer to dive right into Silence with the less damaged Clarice Starling as the protagonist, instead of Will Graham). And from some things I've heard/read in the fanfic, it sounds as though Hannibal Rising might be too much of a credibility stretch (plus, no Starling, of course, so . . . ).

Anyone out there have an opinion to offer? Am I missing out on some essential "Lecter-ness" if I never get around to reading the other novels?

********************************


As promised above, here are some of the Silence of the Lambs/Hannibal fanfics (of the Starling/Lecter persuasion, in some sense) that I've recently read and enjoyed on ff.net. There are scads more I've not yet looked at, of course, and I haven't even begun to explore AO3 yet for fics in this 'verse, so if anyone knows of any good ones I should check out, please let me know!

These fics may take off from a foundation of movie-canon, book-canon, or some combination of the two, but they all spoke to me in some way and had few enough proof-reading problems that I could read them in relative comfort. Be warned that none are especially kind to the character of Jack Crawford, as far as I can recall:

-- Breaking Free by BookishGal (first story in a well-written, psychologically satisfying, complete trilogy which goes AU during Silence, with the failure of Hannibal's escape attempt in Memphis. The other two stories in the trilogy are Playing House and Finding Peace, which just get better and better.)

-- Taking Liberties and "Skin Game" by Green Jewels ("Taking Liberties" is a prequel one-shot that expands upon Dr. Lecter's activities in St. Louis immediately following his escape in Silence, and then "Skin Game" goes AU at the end of that novel, with Lecter choosing to stick close and work on helping Clarice to find her true self much, much sooner. Technically unfinished at 56 chapters since April of 2011, and removed by the author from FFN in early 2013, "Skin Game" still resolves much and leaves the characters in a pretty good place. I have saved the entire text of "Skin Game" and some of the more interesting reviews from FFN in document form, and am happy to share. This author's work is my favorite Lecter-fic, so far.)

-- No More a Savage Life: Chapter One by lovinghannibal (picks up right at the end of the movie "Hannibal". In spite of the title, this story is 13 chapters long, but it is the first installment in a very long and not yet entirely completed trilogy. Chapter Two is complete at 144 chapters long, but I took a break at the end of chapter 32, when one major story-line had been completed and it seemed like a new episode in our heroes' lives was about to begin.)

-- Tell Me a Secret by kalabangsilver (picks up with Hannibal and Clarice in Buenos Aires, about 3 months after leaving the U.S. together near the end of the novel Hannibal, enjoying some unusual-but-so-very-them pillow talk. Ten secrets shared in ten meaty, sexy, quirky chapters.)

-- Paper Trails by kalabangsilver (picks up just after the end of the book Hannibal, but then goes more than a little AU, with Ardelia Mapp firmly convinced that Lecter had kidnapped Starling and that Clarice needs rescuing. 70 chapters long, with mucho angst along the way, as Clarice moves heaven and earth to save Hannibal's life and liberty, but the sub-plots and supporting characters do all work together in the end.)

-- Redemption by duffie83 and MajorBachman (desperately in need of proof-reading, at some points, but addictive and engaging enough to allow me to overlook that fact. Ten years after not leaving with Dr. Lecter at the end of Hannibal and having made her own way as a P.I. after quitting the FBI, 43-year-old Clarice is hired to hunt down a new serial killer in Italy, which leads to an unexpectedly happy reunion with Hannibal. The sequel Transcendence is now posted and complete, as well.)

-- Silent Reception by SLovingLecter (often funny one-shot which picks up one year after the end of the movie "Hannibal".)

Please help!

[personal profile] ballpoint_banana1 2015-07-02 07:13 pm (UTC)(link)
Hey! I know you posted this many years ago, but I noticed you mentioned the fanfic Skin Game by Green Jeweles. She took it down a year ago and since then I've been trying to find it, but so far I have only found 14 chapters. Did you happen to download it or know of a place I could find it? If you could help I would really appreciate it! I loved that story so much! It was so well written and if hate to never read it again. Thanks again!

Re: Please help!

[personal profile] bananapoint_banana2 2017-02-08 03:43 am (UTC)(link)
Ahhhh! Oh my god I never saw your reply... Is seeing this message two years later too late? Haha, well, if your offer still stands here is my email!

magnetojonez at gmail dot com

Thanks!

Re: Please help!

[personal profile] clarice8starling 2017-08-15 11:48 pm (UTC)(link)
Omg I just came across this!
I've been searching for skin games all over the internet. If you guys could send me skin games and any other green jewel stories you have I would be so grateful 😊 My email is clarice8starling@aol.com. X
Edited 2017-08-16 00:11 (UTC)

Re: Please help!

[personal profile] lambentgloaming 2017-09-27 07:27 pm (UTC)(link)
Hi, I wonder if I could be a pest and ask for Green Jewel 's stories too please? I was recommended Skin Games and searched high and low, my email is lambentgloaming@gmail.com if it's not too much bother. Thank you.
myfictionaladdictions: (Default)

Re: Please help!

[personal profile] myfictionaladdictions 2017-11-17 08:21 pm (UTC)(link)
DO you still have a copy of skin Game story? Would you mind to share it with me. I would love to have this story and read it. It has bee a long time since I read it. I loved her stories. I hated that she took them down. My email is myfictionaladdictions@gmail.com. Thank you. i hope to hear from you soon.

Re: Please help!

[personal profile] moriartaay 2017-11-19 07:08 pm (UTC)(link)
Hello! I’ve literally been searching for Green Jewel’s works for years now - I will always regret not downloading those stories myself. If it’s not too much trouble would you be able to send them also to moriarraay@gmail.com? Thank you so much for doing this!!

Re: Please help!

[personal profile] moriartaay 2017-11-19 07:09 pm (UTC)(link)
moriartaay@gmail.com ** oops!!!

Skin Game by Green Jewels

[personal profile] inglefinch 2018-03-06 04:07 pm (UTC)(link)
Hi, I'm really sorry to bug you - I know it's been literally years since you posted this, but is there any chance you could send me a copy of Skin Game, and indeed anything else I might once have read by Green Jewels on FF.net but despite my best efforts am now unable to find. I'm on a bit of a re-reading kick atm trying to find something I read years ago and am now unable to recall any specific details about (apart from the fact that it was really good) except that I think it was SotL rather than Hannibal based, and that I KNOW I haven't found it yet despite extensive trawling... I really hope it's something by Green Jewel(s) and you can help me with it before I totally lose my mind!
Thank you so much for bothering to read this rambling mess, and If you can indeed help I may quite possibly owe you what's left my sanity, although you will just have to settle for my undying gratitude ;) xx

p.s. my email is inglefinch1922 at gmail dot com

Re: Skin Game by Green Jewels

[personal profile] inglefinch 2018-03-06 07:08 pm (UTC)(link)
THANK YOU!!! xxxxx
amaryllispuck: (Default)

Skin games and others

[personal profile] amaryllispuck 2019-03-20 02:52 pm (UTC)(link)
Just got done reading all of greenjewels fics (ones that are a available)I just can't get enough. Would you be so kind to give the ones that are no longer available.
Amaryllispuck@gmail.com
myfictionaladdictions: (Default)

Re: Please help!

[personal profile] myfictionaladdictions 2019-06-15 12:42 am (UTC)(link)
DO you still have Skin Game fan fiction? WOuld love to have a copy my email is myfictionaladdictions@gmail.com

Thank you

Re: Please help!

[personal profile] peanut12 2019-09-02 09:21 pm (UTC)(link)
Hello, I've searched the fanfiction "skin game" by Green Jewel for months now and I can't find it, I just found that site that mentionned it was possible to get this fanfic, can you help me please? I reaaaaally loved this fanfic back in the day and I would be glad to read it again T-T please send help I'm desperate!!

Thanks in advance and sorry about my english, I'm not a native speaker :/

Skin Game

[personal profile] alena_19 2019-09-04 12:55 pm (UTC)(link)
Hello! I met many reviews, that “Skin game” is one of the best works. I think I've read the rest of Clannibal fanfiction, and I'm hungry for good stories.
I would be appreciate so much if you could send me it.
My email is coffee-and-go@yandex.ru. Many thanks!

And sorry for my english, it’s not my first language:)

Re: Skin Game

[personal profile] alena_19 2019-09-04 02:52 pm (UTC)(link)
❤️

Skin Game fanfic

[personal profile] avpr1a 2020-02-13 01:53 am (UTC)(link)
Hello!
I'm several years late, but can you please send me the Skin Game fanfic? I heard it's one of the best in the fandom and I would really like to read it. I searched all around the internet and you are my only hope.

If you still have it (and other stories from Green Jewel)my email is backtoblack881@gmail.com

Thank you. :)

Looking for ‘Skin Game’ and ‘Tell Me a Secret’

[personal profile] cocoacat 2020-09-23 02:38 am (UTC)(link)
Dear Revdorothyl,

I am not sure if this message will get to you after all this time since you have posted these recommendations. I have been searching for Green Jewel's 'Skin Game' for very long, and I would be most grateful if you could send them to me at cocoacat123@outlook.com.

Also, I have been reading kalabangsilver's fanfiction, and it seems that 'Tell Me a Secret' has been removed. I wonder if you might have a copy of this story as well? If yes, please send it to me!

If you still have ‘Against Her Will’, send it as well please!

A million thanks!

Re: Please help!

[personal profile] confuzed 2021-09-23 11:07 pm (UTC)(link)
I know it has been years but I would be ever so grateful if you could send Green Jewels stories to me! Viggorli213@gmail.com

Re: please help

[personal profile] natterjack 2021-10-01 02:43 pm (UTC)(link)
Hello there!

I realise that I may be somewhat late to the party with this request, but if anyone were able to pass me a copy of Skin Games by Green Jewel in pdf format or otherwise, then that would be amazing and you have my thanks in advance!

My email, should anyone be able to assist is paigetturner@hotmail.com

If not though, then no worries :)

Re: please help

[personal profile] natterjack 2021-10-04 07:28 am (UTC)(link)
Ah, thank you so much, that's brilliant! I really appreciate your help there :)

Re: Please help!

[personal profile] ololon 2021-10-05 08:58 am (UTC)(link)
Umm...can I outrageously jump into your replies and request these fics too please? I just finally read the novels in my 40s and have of course immediately gone on a fic-devouring quest, but so much is old and deleted it's difficult to find. I feel very much like I missed the bandwagon! I'm drunk_in_charge@yahoo.co.uk and will forever owe you doughnuts or a fic or something reasonable of your choice!

Re: Please help!

[personal profile] ololon 2021-10-05 08:56 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh my goodness thank you so much! Really appreciate it.

Re: please help

[personal profile] elmo29 2022-02-20 10:39 pm (UTC)(link)
Hello! :)

I’m sure I’m incredibly late to the party here but is it still possible to obtain a copy of Green Jewel’s Skin Game fic?

If it is still possible my email address is: elmo_sesame29@hotmail.com

No worries if it’s not available to send out anymore.

Many thanks in advance for your assistance :)