FanficRecs Realistic Portrayal of Character Flaws Effect on Relationships
I have never believed Henry Crawford could change for the better, no matter how much he claimed Fanny’s love would change him, but this fic surprised me by providing a realistic scenario of how he and Fanny could have a successful relationship. This fic’s exploration of their flaws (BOTH their flaws, not just Henry’s) is very well done. Fanny softens towards him after Edmund married Mary Crawford and is lost to her forever, but this resolution to their courtship is not presented as the end of the story. Two very different people with very different sets of flaws will have challenges in their relationship, after all.
So the first strength of this fic is how these challenges are resolved, and how they both realize their flaws impact their relationship. The second strength is how the fic portrays the development of their relationship continuing after their wedding, and the wedding is not just an easy ‘happy ending.’ Because of course, after marriage, there would still be obstacles and struggles to work through.
All in all, I truly enjoyed reading this!
FanficRecs This Fic is Problematic
I just re-read Everingham and the ending especially freaked me out. Fanny talks to her cousin/BIL/best friend Edmund, and Henry flies into a jealous rage, says Fanny needs to inform him of her whereabouts, and she apologizes for talking to her own family member!!! That is abuse. It's called coercive control and it is very much abuse. Especially for Fanny, who only has like a single friend, and then Susan and William.
In fact, the whole fic seemed to blame Fanny for being too judgy when Henry's behaviour towards Maria is fine? Henry actually says that Rushworth gets jealous without cause (WHAT???) and Fanny agrees with him! Henry was not reformed and Fanny lost her moral integrity. This is not a happy ending.