String Theory, a Concerto for Violin in D Minor by Toft (NC-17)

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Rec Category: Rodney McKay
Pairing: John/Rodney
Category: slash, AU
Warning: none
Author on LJ: toft_froggy

Link: String Theory, a Concerto for Violin in D Minor

Summary: Rodney is a neurotic orchestra conductor. John is a violinist.

Why This Must Be Read:

I love this story. I really, really do. Every time I read it, I just get happy flutters in my heart, because despite the somewhat cracked-out premise, the author gets two things very right: Rodney's character, with all the neurotic courage that I love about him; and the feeling of playing good music well. It's a little like flying, and reading this story is a little like living that vicariously.

The premise of the AU places Rodney as an orchestra conductor and composer who's shopping for a violinist to play his masterpiece. The writing is wonderful in that it captures the way Rodney obsesses over small things, but doesn't dwell to the point of annoyance. The pace of the piece echoes the POV, rapid when the thought process needs it and slowing when Rodney calms. I also appreciate the description. It's very difficult, in my experience, to write well about the experience of music, but Toft manages to feel very, very natural on the subject.

In short, I would physically push people into reading this story if I could. I like it that much. But since I can't do that, I will instead settle for squealing incoherently about it, and hoping that if you haven't read it already, you'll give it a chance!