Quick fic rec!

[eponymous_rose]

Yes, emerging from the depths of my term paper, I bring you another fic rec! (Clearly I have not been dividing my time between academia and fandom this late in the game. That would be silly.)

As is so often the case with my recs, I haven't had the chance to review it myself, mostly because I'm not sure I can fit everything I want to say into the little comment box at this point. But do let the author know you enjoyed it! Do as I say, not as I do, etc.

Rec: Project Pygmalion
Fandom: Man from U.N.C.L.E./My Fair Lady/Pygmalion (oh yes, you read that right)
Characters: Illya Kuryakin, Harry Beldon, Alexander Waverly, Napoleon Solo, and Gerald Strothers
Author: azdak
Author's Summary: A Man from U.N.C.L.E. / My Fair Lady / Pygmalion fusion. Suitable for ALL viewers! Of ANY age! And ANY sexual orientation!

Oh, this is crackfic of the highest order. It's the puppy running around in circles at the pet store, the one you just know is absolutely bonkers, but you'd love to take him home and call him your personal canon all the same. Explicit knowledge of the MUNCLE canon isn't really required, even - but the more you know, the more of the clever little in-jokes you get.

The premise? It's 1955, and Waverly has just bet Beldon he can't turn a nominee of his choice into a fully qualified UNCLE agent in three months - and train him well enough that people won't be able to tell he didn't attend the UNCLE Survival School. And Waverly picks a certain young Russian scientist working in the labs.


22nd June 1955

Humph, did not think Alexander would stoop to cheating. Must remember in future that he is wily old fox. 3 months v. short time frame to achieve Pygmalion-like transformation of hopelessly unpromising material, to whit Section 8 boffin, and Russian to boot. Apparently Sov. U. pulled wool over Alexander's eyes (kudos to them, doesn't happen often) and contributed speccy scientist as their part of recent deal. Fellow doesn't even fulfil Section 2 height requirement and can't be extracted from lab except by threats of terminating contract. However, would not be Harry Beldon if not confident of ability to turn even absent-minded professor into pocket-sized James Bond well within timescale, and it will be one in the eye for Jules. Have accepted bet and drawn up training program.


There are explosions, plots within plots, and musical numbers. The whole thing is equals parts witty, silly, and somehow true to character. How can you possibly go wrong?

Edit: Oh, dear. Part of my layout's background appears to have up and, well, disappeared. I wonder how long it's been doing that? Argh.
Also Edit: Fixes made it worse. Fine. Anyone have a new layout to recommend?

Comments

[azdak.livejournal.com]

wiccagirl24 pointed me over here, and I just wanted to say a big thank you for this lovely rec. I'm thrilled to bits that you liked the story so much, and took the trouble to write about it. I shall be walking on air this morning!

[eponymous-rose.livejournal.com]

I'm glad you've found the rec, and I'm sorry I haven't left a comment on the fic itself yet! I've been terrible about that lately; the recs at least assuage the guilt a bit. ;) But a really excellent story, yes - I'll keep it on hand to stop a bad mood in its tracks!

[azdak.livejournal.com]

You really don't need to worry about not commenting on the fic! A rec like this is even better than a comment. Besides, it's very reassuring to know that more people read and like the story than actually comment on it :-)