Yahoo Forum Archive

Title: A Tisket, A Tasket · Author: grey_wonderer · Times: Late Third
Age: The Shire · ID: 570
Reviewer: Elanor · 2006-08-31 21:25:31
As fanfiction goes, the idea that LOTR could be in any way illuminated
by the presence of little Pippins stuffed rabbit seems preposterous.
Well, meet Errol and prepare to be enchanted! This story, in which wee
Pippin builds a nest for his beloved Errol in hopes of encouraging the
appearance of a baby bunny, is one of the sweetest, most affective
little stories I think I have ever read. Splendid characterizations,
excellent dialogue and a quiet undercurrent of humor are only the
beginning; many faces of love come into play here as well.
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Title: On Being the Youngest · Author: Bodkin · Races: Cross-Cultural ·
ID: 45
Reviewer: Elanor · 2006-08-31 21:26:46
Who knew that Legolas and Pippin had so much in common? A clever story
about two youngest children that highlights the insight of the very
youngest. A rare glimpse of Legolas underpinnings and a Pippin whos
been hiding his light under a bushel! Very cleanly and cleverly rendered
in thoughtful dialogue that doesnt require any help from extraneous
exposition. Really nicely done!
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Title: Dana's Annotated Tale of Years · Author: Dana · Genres:
Non-Fiction · ID: 274
Reviewer: Elanor · 2006-08-31 21:28:53
About time somebody put Merry and Pippin into the Tale of Years! This is
a very useful copy-remake of Appendix B for which legions of fanfic
writers will be very grateful, especially those of us whose Appendices
are falling out of our books! And a little more hobbit-centric, too,
which is always a good thing!
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Title: Cakes and Apples · Author: Ruby Nye · Races: Hobbits:
Post-Sauron's Fall · ID: 891
Reviewer: Elanor · 2006-08-31 21:30:28
By the time you finish this story youll want to make the cake, no
question about it! A story that is ostensibly about Merry ministering to
Pippin after (I believe) his run-in with the Troll at the Black Gate, it
is told through tenderly rendered flashbacks intercut with some very
stimulating memories of a splendid Shire dessert! Mercifully, the recipe
is included, with generous helpings of friendship and love all around,
as well.
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Title: The River · Author: Indigo Bunting · Races: Cross-Cultural:
Incomplete · ID: 51
Reviewer: Elanor · 2006-08-31 21:31:48
This is a beautifully written gap adventure in which peril and response
is rendered with such stunning skill that it takes your breath away. An
exciting read, complemented by fine characterizations, a gritty
understanding of the physical world, and some really excellent action.
Very impressive. Also noteworthy in that it takes time to treat every
character with insight, due reverence and a very careful ear. Can't wait
to see more!
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Title: Years After and a Sea Between · Author: Dana · Genres: Alternate
Universe: Post-Grey Havens · ID: 39
Reviewer: Elanor · 2006-08-31 21:33:50
A breathtakingly beautiful writing style distinguishes this AUa sweet,
gentle, anguished sort of longing is the breath of this story that
creates, moment by moment, a private world honeyed with love and
agreeably ambiguous anguish. Remarkably lovely and dazzlingly
competenta triumph of mood and language. I dont know this world, but
the story made my heart soften and hurt as it was supposed to
nonetheless. A quiet achievement of considerable merit.
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Title: Tolkien's Use of Expletives · Author: Dreamflower · Genres:
Non-Fiction · ID: 147
Reviewer: Elanor · 2006-08-31 21:43:01
I keep a copy of this in my files and refer to it often. A very useful
document and gratefully received! The only complaint one can possibly
make is that Tolkien should have thought up a few more tricksy phrases
to use in time of trouble! Some good advice on usage for genre writers,
as well, which ought to be followed.
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Title: Consequences of a Fall · Author: Dreamflower · Races: Hobbits:
Hurt/Comfort · ID: 221
Reviewer: Elanor · 2006-08-31 21:43:53
This is a triumph of discernment, in many ways, as the author delves
into the Tolkien Letters story of Pearl Took and the demise of Lalia
in her chair on the garden steps. There is a double focus here: one on
Paladin Tooks young family and his rise to the Thainship, and another
on a contemplated backstage coup in which a small, injured Pippin is
saved by fate from what amounts to a palace assassination attempt! The
dreadful Hyacinth beats Lobelia Sackville-Baggins every which way to
Tuesday as the resident Shire Villainess; the young Pearl is prettily
rendered as the bewildered victim of a slander campaign; Pippin suffers
a painful illness with little-boy bravery; and Merry, stubborn,
irritated, and suspicious, provides Pearl and Pippin with loving
support. Paladin is wonderfully rendered here, and his cousin, Reginard,
yoked to Hyacinth, comes off the pages of the Family Trees with enormous
grace. Well written, imaginatively conceived; Dreamflower has a real
knack for taking somewhat obscure background characters and situations
off the grey pages of the Appendices and bringing them to brilliant
life. It is particularly well done here! I followed this with great
interest.
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Title: Eternal · Author: Trekqueen · Genres: Romance: Incomplete · ID: 706
Reviewer: Rhapsody · 2006-08-31 21:58:44
There is something about a story that pulls you into it immediately and
it is the outside world that often has to remind you to put it down for
something else. Such a story is Eternal written by Trekqueen. As of
chapter one, this story connects you to the characters in rapid
succession and you cannot help yourself to read page after page as if
you simply cannot miss a single thing. I find this story very moving and
the romantic relationship between Glorfindel and Elrilya is well thought
out and explored. Often did I feel to put those two together, but then
because of circumstances, which does not feel forced at all, they have
to wait longer before they can finally profess their love for each
other. And when they do, you feel as a reader very content and happy.

But besides a great romance story, Eternal provides the reader so much
more. For example, it feels as if you are taken on a journey with the
exiles that have to cross the Helcaraxë to reach Middle Earth. It pains
you when Turgon looses his wife, the pain and horror of a soul lost
under the ice... a box of tissues is recommended with this story.
Trekqueen shows you the torment and pain the characters have to go
through and so naturally fills our hearts with hope and a promise of a
new life. A very special moment was when the elves for the first time
saw the sun and moon: very magical.

Besides a good characterisation and great storylines, Trekqueen has a
gift of writing a culture in development and how it reaches its height.
The manner in which Trekqueen writes the birth of the Golondrim culture
makes it very tangible for me. So besides being treated to a well
written romance, Eternal is a great testimony to Tolkiens creation on
how the exiles found their home in Nevrast, and later on in Gondolin.
From there, the story of Maeglin and Aredhel is splendidly woven into
the story, leaving the reader - currently- on the edge of the seat what
will happen next. A great read Trekqueen; I cannot wait what you will
write for us in the next chapter!
-----------------------------------
Title: Frodo's Exciting Day Out · Author: Llinos · Genres: Humor: Parody
· ID: 829
Reviewer: grey_wonderer · 2006-08-31 22:24:19
This one made me laugh out loud, something that I enjoy. The author has
a wonderful sense of humor and her knowledge of the characters makes her
satire all the more entertaining. I looked forward to each new part of
this one and was amazed at how well she weaved this parody and managed
to keep canon facts in the story even if they were in a new form. I
won't give away details but my favorite part of this involves The Witch
King. This was quite brilliant and terribly, terribly clever! Bravo! Oh,
and the dialogue is wonderful too. I meant to mention that fact. All of
the characters delivered wickedly funny lines throughout the entire
tale. Again, Bravo!
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Title: The King's Surgeon · Author: SurgicalSteel · Races: Men:
Incomplete · ID: 845
Reviewer: grey_wonderer · 2006-08-31 22:24:48
I rarely read stories that don't focus on Hobbits as the principle
characters and so it was such a lovely surprise to find that I had
become hooked on this author's stories about the men of Gondor and their
lives. This is a killer fiction with lots of conflict and some of the
most realistic medical detail anywhere on line. Aragorn appears
regularly in this author's work and so does Denethor! There are Hobbits
too but the star of the show is her amazing Original Character, Serinde
who is a surgeon, a match for Denethor, a woman who speaks her mind no
matter what, and a survivor. Serinde says the things that need to be
said to the people who are often above reproach simply because of their
titles. She is a healer in a time of war and turmoil who simply wants to
do whatever she can to help the sick and the wounded but who is often
forced into political situations by people in power. Serinde gives us a
look at Aragorn as a soldier and a man rather than a King. She gives us
a look at Denethor and Minas Tirith before the Quest began. I love this
author's writing. I love the drama, the humor, and the medical
explanations for how things are done in a time before organ transplants,
x-rays, MRI's and modern medicine. The details are fasinating but the
characters steal the show.
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Title: Merry's Magnificent Yule · Author: Marigold · Genres: Humor: The
Shire · ID: 211
Reviewer: grey_wonderer · 2006-08-31 22:34:22
This is an author who should write more often. She has wonderful ideas
and I know that for a fact. This is delightfully funny and a bit wicked.
The story is filled with amusing images that the author allows us to see
by the use of lovely discriptions. This is one of those stories in which
one event seems to trigger another until the disaster is piled high!
Just when you think that the characters are in as big a mess as any
Hobbits can manage the author introduces another twist and off they go
again. It's a comedy of errors and I would dearly love to see this one
on film. The physical humor is priceless. The characters, the
discriptions, the situation, the way the author leads us through this
one, all of it combined makes more a very entertaining story! I would
love to see her write more of this sort of tale. Her Hobbits are always
entertaining and always in character in whatever situation she places
them in. If you are looking for a good laugh then this is the story for you!
-----------------------------------
Title: Chance Encounter · Author: Dreamflower · Times: The Great Years:
Post-Sauron's Fall · ID: 187
Reviewer: grey_wonderer · 2006-08-31 22:48:33
This story stands out for me thanks to the author's original character,
Menelcar. This is a wonderful original character that has appeared in
one of her other stories and he is just as entertaining here. I was
drawn into his attempts to stay within his social bounds while dealing
with the Hobbits who don't always think of such things. The author
includes music in this tale and she does it very well. There is a sense
that everyone in the story holds a special place in their lives for
song. I always enjoy reading tales where other members of the Fellowship
interact with the Hobbits and in this story Aragorn has quite a part to
play in the action. Lovely!
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Title: A Bath-time Song · Author: SlightlyTookish · Races: Hobbits:
Children · ID: 133
Reviewer: grey_wonderer · 2006-08-31 22:56:20
Take a very young Pippin, Bilbo, and a much-loved bath song and mix them
together and you get a great tale. I love Bilbo in this story. He comes
across as the relative that all little children wish they had. He is
funny and charming and he knows exactly what to say to a small Hobbit
child in his care. There are some lovely moments in this between Bilbo
and Pippin and some observations from Bilbo about his dear Frodo and
about Merry too. I love it when this author writes young Hobbits because
she always manages to fill them with a sense of wonder that only small
children seem to have. Her little Pippin is splendid in this tale. I
could see the action as I read this but it is the discussion between
Bilbo and Pippin that makes this story for me. It deals with the passing
down of a certain bath song from Bilbo to Pippin. It made me think of
Pippin singing that same song at Crickhollow just as he and the others
were setting out on the quest.
-----------------------------------
Title: Was It For This? · Author: Alawa · Genres: Drama: Remembering ·
ID: 88
Reviewer: Dwimordene · 2006-08-31 22:56:24
I remember reading this when it came out as part of the HA onlist
Memorial Day challenge and being blown away. For such a short fic, it
covers a huge space, temporally and psychically, and with such elegance!

Aragorn's relationship to his father, Arathorn, is a major element in
many fics that try to sketch out the making of the man we see in LOTR.
As a young man, newly returned to a home he cannot even remember, the
weight of the paternal legacy must naturally have inspired questions:
who was Arathorn? Why did he leave his young, new family? How should
Aragorn view the forces and obligations that drew him away? How should
he relate to the formative (if buried) events of his life: the death
(and life choices) of his father, which made him an orphan, his mother a
widow, uprooted them both, and condemns Aragorn to follow in Arathorn's
footsteps as a Ranger? Hence the titular question: for what purpose, all
this suffering and confusion? For the scorn of Breelanders? For another
life worn out in unseen, unappreciated service?

Alawa brings us full circle, from the posing of such questions to an
older Aragorn, who has gone searching for answers in Bree, in Rohan,
Gondor, and Harad, and returned to his father's grave to discover that
it is love that binds them to their common paths. Arwen and Gilraen
provide the common reason, ultimately: to love and be loved, which is to
say to live, to have a life with someone to return to.

Very well done, Alawa!
-----------------------------------
Title: What Goes Around · Author: GamgeeFest · Genres: Humor: Children ·
ID: 188
Reviewer: grey_wonderer · 2006-08-31 22:56:51
I can count on humor with this author. I look forward to each new story
that she posts. She has a way with situations. This story gives us adult
Merry and Pippin and they are dealing, in their own way of course with
their own children. I am particularly fond of one part of this story in
which Merry and Pippin become caught up in discussing how a particularly
messy and rather inventive experiment that their sons were attempting
might have worked out if they'd been allow to complete it. You can hear
the interest in their voices and maybe a bit of longing to be able to do
such things again themselves. The characterizations of the next
generation of little Hobbit mischief-makers is well done too. Very
entertaining all around!
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Title: Olórë Mallë · Author: Nerdanel · Races: Elves: Poetry · ID: 892
Reviewer: Dwimordene · 2006-08-31 23:03:03
Interesting image of the path of dreams. Might be a few wobbles in the
rhythm, but enjoyable despite that.
-----------------------------------
Title: In Stitches · Author: Pearl Took · Races: Hobbits: Children · ID: 132
Reviewer: grey_wonderer · 2006-08-31 23:03:06
I had been waiting for this story for quite a while as it is mentioned
in another of the author's wonderful tales, "Little Ones of Their Own".
In it the author makes mention of the fact that Pippin can knit and lets
us know that there is an amusing story behind his talent. This is that
amusing story. It is a tender moment between Pippin and his mother,
Eglantine. You can tell this author knows about raising little ones
because her Eglantine does a wonderful job of settling down a rather
angry Pippin. I like this story because it is a glimse into Pippin's
family life when he was a child. I love this author's writing style and
she can make me feel the emotion in a story. This is filled with lovely
moments and little details that make the story richer. I was struck by
the way she still allows us to see Pippin's sweet nature even when he
was not in a very good mood. I go back and read this one over and over
again. It never fails to make me smile.
-----------------------------------
Title: Pippin's Hands · Author: Pearl Took · Times: Fourth Age and
Beyond: The Shire · ID: 130
Reviewer: grey_wonderer · 2006-08-31 23:04:41
Who would think that so much emotion and so much of Pippin's
difficulties on the quest who be told by a short story about hands? I
was thrilled with this one when the author posted it and couldn't wait
to nominate it when the time came. I could feel Pippin's emotions as he
struggled with all that had happened to him on the quest while trying to
return to something that he loved, his music. The author writes this
with the experience of a music lover and her discriptions ring true. I
am always amazed when someone can say so very much without writing a
long story. This packs so much depth into a few words. It says it all
but leaves you wanting to read more of this author's wonderful stories!
-----------------------------------
Title: The Sea Calls Us Home · Author: laiquendi · Races: Elves: Poetry
· ID: 724
Reviewer: Dwimordene · 2006-08-31 23:05:06
Pleasant set of verses, though the ambivalence of that departure seems a
little muted, save for that last line.
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Title: Heralded By Storms · Author: SilverMoonLady · Genres: Romance:
Incomplete · ID: 128
Reviewer: grey_wonderer · 2006-08-31 23:05:19
If you enjoy romance then this is a story that you simply have to read.
The author is writing about the beginnings of the romance between
Saradoc Brandybuck and Esmeralda Took Brandybuck and I was instantly
hooked on this one. The characters are very well done. Esmeralda is
spirited and strong and Saradoc is the perfect gentle Hobbit with a fine
sense of loyality. In other words, the perfect parents for Merry! I
could see his character traits in both of them which made them seem all
the more real. I am also enjoying the way she writes Eglantine who is
very close to Esmeralda but not nearly as strong. There is a sense of
family in this story as the characters deal with romance, family
dificulties, illness, and their daily lives. I can't wait for more of
this unfinished gem!
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Title: A bit of garden · Author: Tanaqui · Races: Hobbits: General
Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 901
Reviewer: Dwimordene · 2006-08-31 23:09:35
Poor Sam, deprived of his gardens! But I did like this little scene,
where Elrond lives up to those lines in [The Hobbit]--the [kind as
summer] part. Even mighty Elf-lords and loremasters get preoccupied and
neglect certain tasks, as Sam discovers. I can imagine them both
puttering around the garden contentedly for hours.
-----------------------------------
Title: Lobelia's List · Author: annmarwalk · Races: Hobbits: General
Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 201
Reviewer: Dwimordene · 2006-08-31 23:13:56
Oh what a wonderful glimpse of Lobelia's resentful little heart! Those
Gamgees have usurped her place in her cousin's affections (and
pocketbook) and it shows in her insistence on blaming them for possible
thefts (as yet undiscovered), in her refusal to give them anything out
of Bilbo's belongings (save a pair of battered boots that are [good
enough for Gamgee senior]--like hobbits wear shoes that often!), and
general possessiveness of the garden tools. Nice crossing out of desire,
there.

The problem of preventing the wine cellar from being emptied is a
problem of infinite iteration--who'll watch any watchers she puts on
them? And of course, the spoons...

Quite amusing, Ann!
-----------------------------------
Title: Merry's Graduation · Author: pippinfan88 · Times: Late Third Age:
The Shire · ID: 125
Reviewer: grey_wonderer · 2006-08-31 23:17:43
This is one of my favorite Hobbit authors and this story is part of one
of my favorite series of stories that she has written. The author has a
wonderul way with Hobbits and writes them beautifully. Her characters
remain true to their personalities throughout her stories. There is
humor and lots of respect among the Hobbits. She always allows them to
get into mischief but they are never mean-spirited. Her Merry is a
strong character with a sense of right and wrong and a loyality to those
that count on him. I like the way she puts a dash of fun into even the
most serious of moments. This story also has a wonderful Original
Character in it. Degger is simply darling and he allows the author to
show the other Hobbits in a generous light because Degger is a Hobbit
who has been through very hard times and comes from a working class
background. Merry, Pippin and Pervinca all come to Degger's assistance
in this story. The way that the three of them work together shows their
close friendship and trust. This author always writes the most endearing
family relationships! There is a bit of suspense, quite a bit of humor
and a great deal of love in this charming story. Every time I read it I
find something new to enjoy about it.
-----------------------------------
Title: Iridescence · Author: Larner · Times: The Great Years: Vignette ·
ID: 121
Reviewer: grey_wonderer · 2006-08-31 23:18:30
This author has the ability to make me consider things that I don't
often think about. In this lovely story Frodo has a sort of
understanding with a Peacock. The two of them seem to know one another
on one level or another and a sort of trust and respect is shown by this
exotic bird for the Ringbearer. There is a kinship there between them.
When others get too close the bird warns them off but it wants Frodo to
come close. It seems to sense his special nature and know that he will
do it no harm. All of the characters in this story are beautifully
written. The author pays such attention to detail and discribes
everything so well that you can see it as you read. This story takes
place in Minas Tirith and all four Hobbits are in this. It is a quiet
story and is more about the characters than action. You get a lovely
glimpse of Frodo's struggle to reclaim his strength and move beyond what
the Ring has done to him. I admire the author's ability to make us see
the Ringbearer through the eyes of this wonderful bird!
-----------------------------------