I command you to READ.

[bladespark]

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/5782108/1/Harry_Potter_and_the_Methods_of_Rationality

THIS. READ THIS. If you like Harry Potter, read this. If you enjoy reading, read this. If you like fanfiction read this. But more than that, if "for Science!" is a call that can stir your heart, if "humanism" means something to you, READ THIS.

IMHO if it finishes out as wonderfully as it's gone so far it will be better than the original Harry Potter. Far better. This alternate-reality version of the story keeps many of its strengths, and removes many of its weaknesses. It's not as fluffy, mind. Harry Potter in the original deals with some harsh realities, but it does so in a way that's pretty conventional. Nothing in that story challenges your ideas about reality, or self, or how stories are meant to go. It's a safe sort of reality. Maybe people die, but love will triumph over all. Well love isn't the answer this time. The answer is a lot more complicated, a little bit darker, and quite possibly a great deal more profound. Love might be part of it, but it's only part. And the problem isn't so simple either, this Harry probably isn't going to end up saving the world from a clear-cut evil by killing an obvious villain. The Voldemort here is a far more interesting character than I ever could have dreamed.

The whole thing is brilliant. I laughed so hard I just about fell out of my chair. I also cried. I don't think the original ever quite made me do either. I am going to anticipate new chapters of this story with a lot more eagerness than I've anticipated any new books in quite a long time. I'm honestly having a hard time remembering the last time a story stirred me this much.

Comments

[bloodbeauty.livejournal.com]

it's fantastic isn't it! i've been on at all my HP loving friends to read it for a while. getting frustrated waiting for an update though!

while you're waiting can i suggest the following fics?
http://www.fanfiction.net/s/4101650/1/Backward_With_Purpose_Part_I_Always_and_Always <<very well written, not quite MoR but good. http://www.fanfiction.net/s/3695087/1/Larceny_Lechery_and_Luna_Lovegood <<very silly and funny

[bladespark.livejournal.com]

Heh. Honestly I really dislike fanfic. I knew about this one for ages and ages and didn't read it because I hate fanfic. I can't think of the last fanfic I enjoyed before reading this one.

[bloodbeauty.livejournal.com]

i loved fanfic as a teen then really went off it. but these are good. trust me :P

[bladespark.livejournal.com]

Er. People have different tastes in reading. And for somebody who's just come off an optimistic, humanist high, offering something with a sappy, mushy title whose first few pages are so pessimistic and depressing as to be pretty much unreadable to me... I gave it a try, but I couldn't get any further, it was actively repellant to me. I'm sure it's well written, I'm not saying it's bad, but I don't like the Methods of Rationality because it's well written, I like it because in addition to being well written it's humanist. And because it's got concepts and philosophy and depth to it, and isn't about just telling a fun story. It's about teaching something fundamental. And I manage to like it very, very, very much in spite of it being fanfic. I literally cannot name a single piece of fan fiction other than this that I've ever truly enjoyed. A few short, conceptual one-offs I've laughed at, maybe, but nothing I'd read chapters of.

[bloodbeauty.livejournal.com]

fair enough, sorry to trouble you

[mavikfelna.livejournal.com]

I'm in the same boat. My friend Silaren pointed it out to me weeks ago and I only just started reading it this week and I can't believe it took me so long to get started!

He described it as Miles Vorkosigan goes to Hogwarts and I have to whole heartedly agree. If you've not read any of Lois McMaster Bujold's books, I would highly recommend them. Especially if you liked MoR.

--Mav

[aurora77]

I'm not one for fanfic. I think I've only read three HP fics and a handful of others, plus a few I started and abandoned because..., well...AUGH. This one starts off really well, though. I'll have to read on when I have time.