07 March 2016 @ 04:34 pm
Psychological tales - SPN or RPF  
Recs for fiction with strong psychological overtones, please - not necessarily psycho to the point of madness (although always interesting) - and definitely not limited to the free-flowing angst that is sometimes Dean's (or teen-Sam's) internal, self-centered monologue.

Please rec (or self-rec) stories where the psychology of a character (or characters) is particularly effective, as a means of advancing the plot or illuminating the character in a new way. Yes, I realize that many fics have psychological issues as subtext, but I'd like to hear your takes on those stories that elevate it to a feature of the main plot/character - in a twisty or otherwise interesting way. (e.g., sandymg's wonderful One Small Step, in which Jared's Aspergers often drives the plot and the relationship)

NOTE:I chose a few tags from the 'Affliction' and 'Genre' categories as examples, but we're not limited to these. Also, no matter if story is gen or slash.

As always, thanks to the community for your inexhaustible expertise.
 
 
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[identity profile] zara-zee.livejournal.com on March 8th, 2016 12:38 am (UTC)
I have literally just finished reading Sam I am (http://amberdreams.livejournal.com/395195.html)by [livejournal.com profile] amberdreams, just written for this year's Sammybigbang. Here, Castiel doesn’t immediately think of the idea of transferring Sam’s madness onto himself. As a result, Sam's brain is still fried. He escapes from the Westville asylum wing by himself, steals a car and drives until he runs out of road in Idaho. I really enjoyed the story!

I also recommend The puzzle that is me (http://archiveofourown.org/works/221671)by [livejournal.com profile] felisblanco. In this Jensen has Asperger's and in the author's own words 'it's as AU as you can get, while still having Jared and Jensen as actors on Supernatural.' There's also a sequel.

I hope these hit the spot! :)

Edited to say that Gunpoint (http://archiveofourown.org/works/861978/chapters/1652215), also by [livejournal.com profile] felisblanco would probably also fit the bill, but it does deal with some pretty heavy emotional trauma, so check the warnings.

Edited 2016-03-08 04:31 am (UTC)
[identity profile] onlythefireborn.livejournal.com on March 8th, 2016 02:41 pm (UTC)
Thanks for SAM I AM - had not read this one before.

I am a huge fan of felisblanco and had bookmarked PUZZLE but somehow never read it. So thanks especially for reminding me. GUNPOINT is one of my favorites and certainly falls into this genre.