NozzDogg
Since: Nov, 2011
06/05/2013 04:42:39
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FanficRecs Heavy, but interesting all the same
The tale feels believable, though it can feel like a slow read. It makes more of an interesting character study of Marge than anything else.
FanficRecs Certainly an interesting read
I never would have expected a fic like this, where Harry is freed from the Dursleys' abuse in a rather realistic manner. Everyone is in-character, and it's interesting to see the alternate explanations for each character's behavior in canon. Petunia is a liar who turns everyone against Harry, Vernon is a tough disciplinarian who comes to regret taking Petunia at her word, and beneath the dour exterior, Marge really is a caring person who sees Dudley and Harry for who they really are. It's unexpected, but a good read.
What I really liked was the interaction between the Wizarding world and the Muggle world. James Potter is finally revealed to be a good guy trying to support his young wife and child rather than the loser Petunia had claimed he was, and he had made his mark, however small, on the Muggle world. While Wizards continue to work "behind the scenes" and keep Muggles from finding out the truth behind certain events, it's through fairly mundane means, like explaining the first Wizarding War as a crazed serial killer's reign of terror. Marge is told at one point that Death Eaters are terrorists with special ESP abilities, which isn't that far off the mark. It's nice to see wizard/Muggle interactions that don't involve painful culture clashes or Memory Charms.
The only time the fic gets unbelievable is when Rita Skeeter enters the story. I was not liking what was happening with Petunia's past. Perhaps I was expecting a more kid-friendly characterization like what JK Rowling herself would have provided, or just expecting something different than what I got. Granted, it's Rita Skeeter digging all this stuff up and twisting it for her own purposes, but I think it could have been handled way differently or just skipped altogether.
Still a good fic though, and I'd recommend it.