bare ankles used to mean adventure; with you they still do

[osaraba]

Finished all 5 books in Josh Lanyon's Adrien English series. Books four and five of which were extremely satisfying. Again, the mystery part of the story is a hearty and substantial (but somewhat uninspired) backdrop to the more interesting bit-- i.e., the relationship between Adrien and Jake. It's highly satisfying that Adrien is both a likable and practical sort of guy, with strengths and weaknesses -- and that Lanyon isn't shy in depicting both. More than anything else, Lanyon's development of his characters shines, and it makes me really happy to see them grow and change. Plotwise, it absolutely helps that he is able to adeptly put in a touch of angst here and there because god, it gets me every time. Pornwise, THAT SHIT IS HOT YO.

In a lot of ways, Lanyon's writing is really reassuring-- that fangirls who write slash aren't Doing It Wrong. Here's a guy whose series is basically what I'm looking for in slash fic, and basically what my favorite fic writers have done in their stories: depict real depth in characters who have relationships with other three-dimensional, plausibly-motivated characters, who are attracted to those other characters, and both (or more) of whom also happen to have dicks.

I suppose the next question to ask is, is Lanyon writing specifically for the female slash fan? And, more importantly, is he writing disingenuously in order to appeal specifically to that audience because he knows that's what we want? I don't believe so, but who the hell knows.

***

Today is not going too well so far. I'm looking forward to re-watching Brick tonight with Juliet and cathybites and honeymull!!!

Comments

[merith.livejournal.com]

I don't think Josh is writing for women specifically, given that a good portion of his fanbase are male readers. He writes what he likes, what he knows and it really shows.

I'm a Lanyon fan, and have loved nearly everything he's written. There have been a few stories I didn't care for, but there are very few.

[osaraba]

LOL, I just had an hour-long conversation with my friend about how awesome Lanyon is for being able to make his characters so damn realistic (which is what we really love so much about them) and SO different from each other, while still oddly managing to fit them into this odd cookie-cutter mold he has for them.

Also, I'm glad it doesn't seem he's writing for the female fanbase-- and yay, it's awesome that a good portion of his fanbase are male!!! I'm continuing to read as many of them as I can get my hands on! I'd love to know what your favorite of his novels is!

[lucifuge-5.livejournal.com]

For some strange reason . . . OK, not that strange, i.e. I'm a total bookworm, I've got A LOT of Josh's books waiting for me to read them in my nook.

So far, I've got the first three Adrian English mysteries, a one-shot longish story about an FBI agent-turned-college-professor, a noirish mystery and his newest book (another mystery starring a writer called Holmes and his ex-but-not-really called Moriarty.)

I'd "blame" the excerpts which are really delish, but the truth is that if I'm going to spend my hard earned dough on books, I've made up my mind to do so on stories/novels that are pretty nifty.

Anyhoo, thanks to you, I now know that what I'll be reading throughout this month. \Sara!/

[osaraba]

Haha, a bookworm?! You don't say!

Glad to have given you the little bit you needed to bump Lanyon's books to the top of the to-be-read pile! I'm going to take a (not so huge) leap and say that you'll want to get Adrien English books 4 and 5 for after you read the first three because those really are the best. 1-3 are great, but 4 and 5 (as follow-up to 1-3) are what make the series as a whole worth reading.

Also, while the plot in the Holmes & Moriarity story isn't my favorite by any means, I think that Holmes is actually my favorite protagonist (though it's a really close call with Adrien, and keep in mind that Adrien's had 5 books to Holmes' one) -- because he's so flawed and imperfect and REAL; it's a wonderful, refreshing feeling! =D

Please be sure to post/let me know what you think of Lanyon's books when you get the chance!!! =D \LUCE/

[osaraba]

Oh hey, I just read I Spy Something Bloody and realized that you mentioned having I Spy Something Wicked, which is the sequel. Just so you know! =D

[lucifuge-5.livejournal.com]

I'm pretty indifferent to the whole Sherlock Holmes thing (blasphemy, I know), but the premise was nifty and I gave in. *g*

I think the few of Josh's books I feel rather lukewarm about are the Petit Mort novellas. This is more of a matter of preference since I don't like reading shorter profic (meaning less than 50k words) .

Oh, and the other Lanyon book I'm talking about is called "Fair Game". IIRC, I've added the first "I Spy" to my 'get and read sometime next year' list. :)