There was a recent question looking for a Gary Stu story. My question is do you have any recommendations on enjoyable Mary Sue or Gary Stu stories, where the author succeeds despite the almost sickening perfection of his character? For instance, I enjoyed Banadin's Richard Jackson because of the tongue-in-cheek aspect of his adventures.
I like the little asides he throws in like saving Bill Gates life, then later musing that he will probably never get to use a personal computer, or John Cleese musing about 'Men in Tights". Oh, and we can't forget the captain of the Minnow.
My question is do you have any recommendations on enjoyable Mary Sue or Gary Stu stories
I suspect writing critics would consider 'good Mary Sue' to be an oxymoron. However 'enjoyable' is different. Many of the stories on SOL have a Mary Sue element. Perhaps the best I've read recently is 'Retribution' by Thornfoote. It sucks you in by starting out as anything but a Mary Sue story, but by the time you realise where it's going it's too late - you're addicted. Or at least, I was.
AJ
We should differentiate between romantic Gary/Mary Sue stories and business/world building types.
While a romantic *Sue character is more appreciated here or on other sites like Sol because of the whole sexytimes material, most readers are probably looking for more nuance. Unfortunately, many authors try to overdo the anti-Sue-ification of their characters and overload the character with issues, faults, and burdens or let them make one stupid decision after another.
The other type is the Business type, Mary/Gary Sue. Most prevalent in Do-over or time travel stories. The drive here is the empire building of the character, and for me personally, it hasn't lost its charm.
Unfortunately, many authors try to overdo the anti-Sue-ification of their characters and overload the character with issues, faults, and burdens or let them make one stupid decision after another.
God, I hate that shit when reading published novels (glaring at Robin Hobb's Farseer trilogy. Seriously fuck those books. Most frustrating reads ever. /end rant).
Anyways, to the OP. Ones that are good gary/mary sue? Well, I'm sure most people know the popular ones already but for the newbies:
A Fresh Start by rlfj
https://storiesonline.net/s/68384/a-fresh-start
Deja Vu Ascendancy by AscendingAuthor
https://storiesonline.net/s/57098/deja-vu-ascendancy
A New Past by Charlie Foxtrot
https://storiesonline.net/s/75651/a-new-past
Doing it all Over by Al Steiner
https://storiesonline.net/s/30059/doing-it-all-over
I'm throwing this one in even though I think the main character is not the perfect bullshit character. It's a very good read nonetheless.
The hindsight 20/20 series by smokindriver is pretty good
I use to have a list (as I like these kinds of stories) but unfortunately, I can't seem to find it :(
I'll second moredrowsy's recs though, I've read and enjoyed all of them.
If I can shamelessly self-promote here:
https://storiesonline.net/s/13629/legacy-of-a-legend
I freely admit that the story needs rewritten. I was doing what most new authors do - posting while still writing. I know better now, that's why it'll be several months before something else I write is posted. You'll see the difference in my writing as the story progresses.
But it's effectively a story about the main character from Skyrim. She doesn't start that way, but of course she's going to end up the most powerful person in the world.
And if you're a bit hesitant, I just received the following in an e-mail:
A play-through description is not something that sounded appealing, but I ended up reading this for nearly a week. Thank you!
Oh, and I agree with moredrowsy on all four of his choices. I've read all of those multiple times.
Thanks for all the recommendations. Most of these I liked.
@moredrowsy -- Yeah, about Robin Hobb. I liked her Megan Lindholm books better.
OregonDucks,
Betcha I can guess where _you_ went to college! I started out at the University of Oregon, but flunked out (too much good times, too little work)(learned my lesson, when I went back to college later on, buckled down and finished.)