I think Fantine would be the hardest to genderswap, since her story revolves around becoming a "fallen woman", and I'm not sure how that would translate to a man - were there male prostitutes then? If not, the lowest a man could sink is probably begging on the streets. It loses some of its impact. Javert is also difficult to genderswap, since he's all about law and duty to the police, and it would require suspension of disbelief to put a woman on the force. (I expect there were female police spies, though, for the reasons I mentioned in the post - more places women can go where men can't).
What about Stonecarapace's fic did you find unconvincing? I liked that Valjean and Javert could relate a little to being women in a sexist society, although I can't really imagine female Valjean becoming mayor so easily XD. Again, it's either suspension of disbelief, or an AU set in a more modern setting.
Ooooh that's a very interesting idea! And one that would work given the period's restrictions on female roles! I don't think Valjean even needs to sleep with the douche; women were sent to the laundry for such trivial reasons, from being too flirtatious to defying a male authority figure to being raped. Maybe Valjean agreed to help Mr. Douche with something innocuous (hey, he could be the baker!) in exchange for bread, but Mr. Douche decides she owes him sexual favors too and tries to rape her. Valjean beats the fucker off because she is basically Wonder Woman strong :D and Mr. Douche vindictively accuses her of prostituting herself. He's believed over her since Valjean is a woman and likely has a poor reputation in the village, being unmarried and unfeminine (no one would want to rape her!) and intimidating in strength.
Would Fantine be at the laundry? Or sent to the convent? I'm amused at the idea of Javert as Sister Obedience having ~*sexy feelings*~ for Valjean XD. There was a book about all the lesbian sex going on in these convents. Javert would be even more guilt-ridden in her repression.
How would the Amis fit into all this? And would both Valjean and Javert eventually leave the convent? The challenge I think is less the research than getting the story to work within women's historically limited roles. (Which is why I chose the cop-out of LOL they just crossdressed when convenient).
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What about Stonecarapace's fic did you find unconvincing? I liked that Valjean and Javert could relate a little to being women in a sexist society, although I can't really imagine female Valjean becoming mayor so easily XD. Again, it's either suspension of disbelief, or an AU set in a more modern setting.
Ooooh that's a very interesting idea! And one that would work given the period's restrictions on female roles! I don't think Valjean even needs to sleep with the douche; women were sent to the laundry for such trivial reasons, from being too flirtatious to defying a male authority figure to being raped. Maybe Valjean agreed to help Mr. Douche with something innocuous (hey, he could be the baker!) in exchange for bread, but Mr. Douche decides she owes him sexual favors too and tries to rape her. Valjean beats the fucker off because she is basically Wonder Woman strong :D and Mr. Douche vindictively accuses her of prostituting herself. He's believed over her since Valjean is a woman and likely has a poor reputation in the village, being unmarried and unfeminine (no one would want to rape her!) and intimidating in strength.
Would Fantine be at the laundry? Or sent to the convent? I'm amused at the idea of Javert as Sister Obedience having ~*sexy feelings*~ for Valjean XD. There was a book about all the lesbian sex going on in these convents. Javert would be even more guilt-ridden in her repression.
How would the Amis fit into all this? And would both Valjean and Javert eventually leave the convent? The challenge I think is less the research than getting the story to work within women's historically limited roles. (Which is why I chose the cop-out of LOL they just crossdressed when convenient).