Yahoo Forum Archive

There may be more to come but this is all I had written up by today.

Thanks,
Lin

Post-WOTR

Hob4-1: A Crate of Lemons by ShireDweller

I'm not sure I've read any of your stories before. What a delight! Makes me
glad for MEFA all over again, introducing me to this treasure-box full of gems.
You set up the situation very plausibly, and Rose's reaction to the lemons
sounds realistic. Good thing Sam saw what was in the packing crate before she
dumped it all in the dustbin! I like your description of Bilbo's old room, and
the adjoining study. (But the study sounds awfully familiar... we have piles of
papers and books strewn about our living quarters as well.) "Second breakfast
along with the first"! ...Laughing out loud, now, at the thought of drinking
unsweetened lemonade. And at the change in Rosie's expression, once Frodo had
"doctored" the drink up nicely. And a poignant ending. Thanks so much. I had a
lovely time.


Post-WOTR

Hob4-4: Beyond the Havens by jodancingtree

Ah, Jo, this was one of the first stories of yours that I read, and it still
has the capability of bringing tears to my eyes. Tolkien was a Christian,
after all, which influenced all aspects of his life, including his writing. Though
there are no explicit religious references in his work, yet his writing is
infused with the faith that was his foundation, and from which so many of the
themes to which our hearts and spirits respond, spring. (Gee, I hope that
sentence wasn't too rambling!) This story speaks of love in so many ways: your love
of the characters, your love of the story, God's love for us, such that He
gave so much in order to secure peace and healing for those who believe in Him. I
know that some would strip all Christian references from LOTR fanfic, saying
that Tolkien deliberately did so, and yet I suspect they know very little of
the Christian faith if they think his work as divorced from his belief about
spiritual things.

Post-WOTR

Hob4-5: Drunkard of Bag End by jodancingtree
I know I read this one as you were writing it and posting it, a chapter at a
time, but I'd forgotten how much I liked it. How I love your description of
Pippin, in the very first chapter! And Frodo's musing on Bilbo, and if he'd ever
forgive him! (And only half-joking, at that.) I love the little details that
are a trademark of your careful work. You immerse me in this world, and I
smell and taste and touch and hear and see as if I were standing, or sitting, or
lying there, a part of it all. "He would throw himself away." A chilling
picture. No wonder he could find no peace, with the memory of the Ring constantly
gnawing at him. The memory of Bilbo again... I can hear his voice, just see him
sitting across from Frodo, instructing him in the fine art of appreciating
Brandy. Bet he always kept some of the Hall's finest on hand. "a bite of green
apple after too much honey"! Just one of the word pictures that enriches your
writing. Ah, I could go on and on, but then this email would be *way* too long.
Suffice it to say that, while this could not be my favourite of your stories
(for "Sam's Rose" holds that honour, even though your Orc keeps trying to nudge
that one out of first place), it shines brightly on its own account.

Post-WOTR

Hob4-13: Shining Through by Dana

Ah, Dana. Reading this over again brings to mind long conversations and
challenges and talking over ideas. You took a pet idea of mine and gave it weight
and depth and life. It always seemed logical to me that Merry might have
anniversaries similar to Frodo's, and that part of the reason he and Pippin removed
to Crickhollow was so that Pippin could help him fight his way back to the
Light. You are a master (mistress?) of mood, and this story shines (no pun
intended) as a sparkling gem amongst your collection.

Pre-WotR

HobPW1: A Mother's Day by Pearl Took
I just love this story. It has so many of those little details that bring
fiction into the realm of reality. I have experienced at first hand the
frustration of having little ones busy about some project that burdens me with so very
much extra work... only to find that they were doing it all for *my* benefit.
Pearl, you obviously know and love your hobbits, and you've given them a Shire
that they'd be sure to feel at home in.

Pre-WotR

HobPW8: The Shaping of Samwise by Jodancingtree
This comes very close to rivaling "Sam's Rose" on my favourites list. I
remember reading this at the very beginning of my introduction to fanfic, chapter
by chapter as you posted it to a yahoo list. How I'd cheer as each new
installment arrived! Your characters are so well-drawn, believable. I can understand
how Sam might invent some way to irrigate the garden, to encourage his beloved
plants to grow, especially in a drought. Irritable Bilbo is believable: he's
been living under the influence of the Ring now for how many years? And yet he
is still, for the most part, the Bilbo we know and love. Frodo is fully
deserving of Sam's loyalty, and your picture of how he earned Sam's devotion is
completely plausible, so much so that I even referred to it in "The Rebel"--and
thanks for permission to do so.

The Lord of the Rings

HobL5: Through Shadow by Citrine

Full of imagery and the little touches that make the reader feel the
"thereness" of the piece. From the very first paragraph, with the ropes of the canvas
shelter creaking like the ship that had carried Merry to Ithilien, you hooked
me. Ah, those little details, like Merry shaking his burnt fingers! And the
description of the simple soldier's meal (though Pippin's portion was mostly
broth). And Merry undressing for bed. And Pippin's record-book bony knees and
cold feet. You said you took some inspiration from "LifeWatch", but what you have
done is added layer upon layer of rich detail to a basic sketch. The cousin's
scrutiny of each other was touching, both noticing signs of wear and tear,
both pretending to sleep so that the other might rest. Just as I'm frowning with
concern, you poke me in the ribs with an elbow with something like: "Merry,"
Pippin said patiently. "I've had an entire troll fall on me! I shan't fall
apart now if you happen to poke me with an elbow." The little bit of risque
humour is soldierly, somehow. I can imagine they'd've been exposed to such, living
with armies as they were. (Well, maybe. Tolkien did say in his Letters that
anything but monogamy--and I do think he meant male plus female equals
completeness--was under Shadow. It's why I write the way I do, in my efforts to stay
within canon. But I don't mean to start a debate on sexuality in M-e. Now look
what you've done! *g*) Well, here's the review I promised you, all those months
ago when you left me so tongue tied I couldn't comment on this story to save
my life. Better late than never.

Hob2: A Path With No Returning by Citrine
This story brought me to tears, and was part of the inspiration for the
"Bucca" chapters of "Thain", I'll have you know. I read an incredible account of
the hobbits who never returned in a book (yes! a real live book! legal,
published fanfiction! imagine it! how ever did they manage it?) I got from the
library, the title of which escapes me, and that too, played a part. I've been
avoiding it, while writing "Bucca", but have got past the battle scenes in the
draught now and dare to revisit. What, I never reviewed this story? For shame!
Belated, then: Andy's voice is very hobbity, and the battlefield, seen through his
eyes, is a terrible place. I feel his urgency, his dread, his horror, and his
determination to find his master. Your Captain Bersil is brave and true, and
I like his search for the Halflings that had been in his charge. ...my
goodness! (Stated in shock) Bucca of the Marish was at the battle where Angmar was
overthrown! So it is in "Thain" as well! Now I have to wonder if I got that idea
in passing from reading your story, or if it just makes sense that the one
elected to become the first Thain would have done such a thing....


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