Yahoo Forum Archive

Title: A Letter Unwritten · Author: Bill The Pony · Races: Hobbits: War
of the Ring · ID: 855
Reviewer: Marta · 2006-10-29 00:01:12
This one definitely gave me the sniffles. It makes sense that Sam would
be that deferential in romantic matters like he is in other things, but
it still seems really sad.
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Title: Iridescence · Author: Larner · Times: The Great Years: Vignette ·
ID: 121
Reviewer: Inkling · 2006-10-29 00:03:57
What a whimsical, original idea for a story! This encounter between
hobbits and peafowl at the home of a wealthy Minas Tirith merchant is
well described, with Larner's usual attention to detail. The peacock's
instant bonding with Frodo is quite touching, as is the youngest
daughter's wish that Frodo could remain ["forever and ever, here in the
garden with the peacocks about you, here where you could have beauty
always there for you."]


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Title: The Road Not Taken · Author: Branwyn · Races: Men: Vignette · ID: 104
Reviewer: Marta · 2006-10-29 00:26:47
I love the idea of Boromir encountering swans just before he leaves
Rohan. It's a nice connection with his homeland far to the south.
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Title: Another Man's Cage · Author: Dawn Felagund · Genres: Drama · ID: 136
Reviewer: Oshun · 2006-10-29 00:48:39
This is a hauntingly beautiful epic of a year in the life of Fëanor and
his growing family is a truly compelling work. It is a character-driven
novel, which with meticulous care and compassion draws a vibrant
portrait of Fëanor, Nerdanel, and each of their first four sons. It is
simultaneously wonderfully hilarious and warm, and yet always pendant
with tragic foreshadowing. Chapter by chapter the story is relentlessly
suspenseful despite the fact that we all know the end. The descriptions
of the boys, often pictured with wild hair, bare feet, and grubby work
clothes, spark with testosterone and their unique reflections of the
manic, unconventional genius of their father.

The complex characterization of Fëanor, excessive in his loves and
hates, manipulative and selfish, and yet ever passionate and heated in
his love and attachment to his wife and children, symbolizes nearly all
that is wrong and most of what is right about this family. One cannot
help but fall in love with the handsome, brilliant, Nelyo/Maitimo
(Maedhros), apparently the nearly perfect son and brother, who is
revealed to be both troubled and frustrated by the intensity of his
attachment to and love for his father and the knowledge that he can
never fully meet Fëanors expectations of him. The stunningly gifted
Macalaurë (Maglor) initially rendered as yearning and sensitive is, no
less than his brothers, a creature of contradictions. Just when one has
begun to believe he barely fits in this family, one realizes that
perhaps in his single-minded obsession with his music and gradually
defined steely core may even be the one who is most similar to his father.

The fights between Nerdanel and Fëanor, and the sons reaction to those,
are so authentic that they hurtle me right back into my own childhood.
Example from the POV of Carnistir (Caranthir): [Amil uses profanity
against Atar that Nelyo and Macalaurë would have been punished for
saying aloud. Atar calls her names lower than those given to creatures
that squirm in the mud. Obstinate bitch! he says. I feel Nelyo wince,
like he's been burned.] The scenes of Nerdanel and Fëanor making love
are equally genuine and convincing in their heated eroticism. One is
simultaneously envious of Nerdanels relationship with Fëanor and
alarmed by itoh, to be loved like thatbut at what a terrible cost. And
the same ambivalence overcomes one with a protective anxiety for these
boys who get [a thousand kind words and a hundred kisses a day] and
yet will never satisfy the perfectionism of their father.

Tirion, Formenos and Alqualondë are exquisitely depicted. The
descriptions of culture differences among Teleri, Vanyar, and Noldor are
priceless.

So many funny moments: The boys making up humorous curses against the
Varda, which horrify their mother and amuse their father; adorable,
little, mysterious, dark Carnistir biting instead of kissing in
affection and his atrocious table manners; the
tender/bittersweet/comical/sad accounts of adolescent Nelyos and
Macalaurës romantic encounters; the nervous jockeying between
big-for-his-age, roughneck, yet loveable, Tyelkormo (Celegorm) and his
smaller, insecure cousin Findekáno (Fingon) for the attention of Nelyo;
Macalaurës horrible kitchen disasters.

It will make you laugh, cry and shudder with foreboding, and finally
understand in heartbreaking sorrow how inevitable is their fate.

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Title: The Cloak · Author: Elen Kortirion · Races: Men: Gondor · ID: 177
Reviewer: Marta · 2006-10-29 00:56:35
What an engaging original characcter you have given us here! She is one
of the few "professional women" who I have read in Tolkien fanfic who
seems to naturally fit within Middle-earth. It's hard to write without
imposing too much of our modern sensibilities. But something about your
style and the amah's crusty demeanor seem to justify what she does. I
think this is exactly the kind of woman who Boromir would feel most
comfortable around, and I'm glad to think of him having this kind of
support.
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Title: All for the Best · Author: Dana · Races: Hobbits: Merry & Pippin
· ID: 572
Reviewer: Marta · 2006-10-29 01:19:52
First meetings between canon characters are one of the forms especially
suitable to being drabbled, and these are no exception. I personally
loved the last line: [And she thinks, one day, perhaps hell look
backor else shell kick.]
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Title: Thirsty · Author: Elfhild · Times: First Age and Prior:
Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 319
Reviewer: Marta · 2006-10-29 01:39:46
*shiver* The narcissism this author gives Thuringwethil is chilling, and
completely in keeping for this character.
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Title: Both Beholden · Author: Dwimordene · Genres: Drama:
Pre-Fellowship · ID: 180
Reviewer: Inkling · 2006-10-29 03:52:18
This is an edgy, brooding story, its tone set in the opening paragraph
by the oppressive storm. Following the Council of Elrond, Boromir is on
patrol with a group of Rangers led by Halbarad--in search of the
unhorsed Ringwraiths, but more to the point, in search of answers about
the Heir of Isildur.

As Boromir and Halbarad test each other's mettle in a tense duel of
words, the turning point comes when Boromir realizes he has been
outmaneuvered, and wonders anxiously what he has revealed about himself.
But he needn't have worried, for Aragorn's loyal steward perceives that
the loyalties of this steward's son are first and foremost with Gondor,
and he that will support whatever is in his beloved country's best
interests. In this context, Boromir is able to objectively view his own
father as a potential threat to the stability of the realm. He does not
say as much aloud, of course. Yet Halbarad, reading between the lines,
tells him, ["You are not your father's son."]

A fascinating exploration of these two characters, their motivations,
and the politics of succession.


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Title: Suspicion · Author: Gandalfs apprentice · Genres: Humor:
Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 791
Reviewer: Oshun · 2006-10-29 04:04:04
This drabble is a neat little character study. You just have to love Sam
Gamgee as you have portrayed him here. He is absolutely in-character and
determined not to let this grim-looking stranger with all the seemingly
superfluous hardware get anywhere near his Mr. Frodo if there is
anything that he is able to do about it. As for Frodo, he has the
advantage of knowing and trusting Gandalf. Afterall, he was the one who
had observed that if Stider had been the enemy he would have seemed
fairer and felt fouler.
-----------------------------------
Title: Horse Thief · Author: Gandalfs apprentice · Races: Cross-Cultural
· ID: 365
Reviewer: Oshun · 2006-10-29 04:21:18
Well, you know that you have all of the elements here for getting my
attention: Elrond, Elladan, Elrohir, Glorfindel, Asfaloth, and Aragorn.
It is a funny moment. If I were Glorfindel I would not be nearly as
annoyed at an impressionable kid with hurt feelings stealing my horse as
I would be if it were Arwen. Poor Elrond. I certainly believe that he
would not be in the least bit happy to think he had gone to all the time
and trouble to protect and raise the heir to Elendil and ended up with a
horse thief.
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Title: Work Detail · Author: Gandalfs apprentice · Genres: Romance:
Fixed-length ficlet · ID: 789
Reviewer: Oshun · 2006-10-29 04:33:25
Lovely little vignette about, as my kids refer to it, getting busy. The
question is for me, as was asked in other reviews, how much is Aragorn
putting her on and how much does he really know about what she has on
her mind? Well, he was asleep and she did just wake him up, so it might
have taken him a couple of minutes to get her point, but once the
situation was clear, he apparently didn't have any problem getting on
with the task at hand.
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Title: A Merry Old Inn · Author: Dreamflower · Times: Late Third Age ·
ID: 881
Reviewer: Marta · 2006-10-29 04:36:14
The writing style of this one had me chuckling all the way through. It
mimicked JRRT's in "The Hobbit" soc losely that this seemed like a
chapter that had somehow been lost from the Red Book corpus. But it is
so irreverently out there that it feels almost like farce -- but still
not quite that. It's just the right tone to handle a drunken hobbit.
Thanks for the laugh, Dreamflower!
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Title: Claws · Author: Elena Tiriel · Races: Villains: Fixed-Length
Ficlet · ID: 835
Reviewer: Marta · 2006-10-29 04:49:03
Ah, so Smaug wasn't the only baddie taking up residence in Erebor! It
seems to be an ongoing theme in Tolkien canon that te underlings live
out their masters, and this is no exception. It certainlybroadened my
perception of "The Hobbit".
-----------------------------------
Title: Evenstar · Author: Mar'isu · Times: The Great Years · ID: 856
Reviewer: Marta · 2006-10-29 05:01:40
Interesting musing on the nature of the evenstar - that it is a sign of
dawn, not just of darkness.
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Title: Midsummer's Day · Author: MysteriousWays · Times: Late Third Age:
Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 980
Reviewer: Marta · 2006-10-29 05:10:39
How touching, that Frodo should feel free from his own baggage from the
Quest, even just for a day. Truly it is a holiday of hope and
rejuvenation for him - you did a very nice job of capturing that here.
-----------------------------------
Title: Lord of Werewolves · Author: Raksha the Demon · Genres: Humor:
Parody · ID: 255
Reviewer: Inkling · 2006-10-29 05:48:51
This is just plain silly...and completely delightful, if such an
adjective can be applied to a ficlet about the Lord of Darkness and his
minions.

One wonders how differently things might have turned out had Morgoth not
shown his lieutenant the error of his ways...Beren and Luthien could
have pacified Carcharoth by tossing him a boot. And Barad-dûr might have
been a decadent pleasure palace!

As it is, I now have a whole new mental image of Tol Sirion as a
wildlife sanctuary for misunderstood werewolves.


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Title: Planning Ahead · Author: Gwynnyd · Races: Men · ID: 84
Reviewer: Marta · 2006-10-29 05:55:24
This story definitely earned a giggle or two. Gilraen is really complex
here for such a young child, precocious and funny without really
realizing she is being that way, and Arathorn's less-than-optimal mental
state (and his frustration with being that way) was really believable. I
speak as someone who has had to deal with the pain of concussions and
being doped up on pain killers -- Arathorn's frustration was entirely
too similar to my experience, and is exactly what I would expect from
someone the morning after an injury in an age before modern medicine.
But humour aside, this story is really clever in making Gilraen so
foresighted. Her prediction of that relationship is canonical, but
having it happen so early here casts a different shadow on her entire
life. Really interesting moment between the two of them.
-----------------------------------
Title: A Change In The Weather · Author: Marigold · Races: Hobbits:
Fixed-Length Ficlet series · ID: 692
Reviewer: Inkling · 2006-10-29 06:53:04
What a marvelous idea for a ficlet series! Marigold uses the framework
of the four seasons to create poignant portraits of Frodo, Sam, Merry,
and Pippin, as well as to show how the Quest has transformed weather
from friendly companion to bitter foe. I especially like Frodo's
resolute courage in the first drabble, and the parallel between Sam's
labours in the garden and [his greatest labour of all.]
-----------------------------------
Title: Elemental Spirits · Author: Marigold · Races: Hobbits:
Fixed-Length Ficlet series · ID: 693
Reviewer: Inkling · 2006-10-29 06:56:50
Making a worthy companion to A Change in the Weather, this ficlet series
presents the four hobbit companions as the four elements. It's hard to
single out any one of the drabbles for special praise, for all are
superb. Air is the perfect metaphor for Frodo's ethereal quality, while
Sam's [feet are firmly planted] in the earth he loves. And water is a
natural choice for bubbly, unquenchable Pippin. But if I had to pick a
favorite, it would have to be Merry's drabble, for the beautiful way
Marigold captures his fiery spirit: [The light of wisdom and love of
knowledge burns in his eyes and he devours books and teaching as a fire
devours dry wood, while the flicker of mischief is in his grin.]

And now I'm wondering what series of four Marigold will come up with next!


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Title: Trust · Author: Dwimordene · Genres: Drama · ID: 216
Reviewer: Bodkin · 2006-10-29 08:24:38
This is part of a very powerful story arc. I admit to a great affection
for Andrahar and it is good to see him happy - even if he never seems to
achieves any content without attendant angst!
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Title: The Circle · Author: Karenator · Races: Men · ID: 778
Reviewer: Perelleth · 2006-10-29 11:29:27
I loved this piece. Hurin is a lovely boy, and he is such a fine
contrast to his father that it makes them both doubly endearing!
Halbarad with a poet, dreamer, ranger and cook of a son! I really liked
the pride that Halbarad takes in him as he sees the change he's going
through and admits that, different to him as Hurin may be, he'll be a
fine man and fit Ranger, with much needed talents. There is much hope
underlying this moment in time.

I loved so many things in this, but the opening paragraph almost stunned
me. It is short, precise and shocking. And, of course, colourful, even
in muted blues and dark shadows! Great couple of sentences! Halbarad's
mild annoyment and Elrohir's helpful, half teasing interest are a
delight to read, and the whole tale about vanished settlers is very
intriguing and unsettling.

A wonderful short piece with so much in it: ghost stories, Elves and
men's differences and father and son's love despite diffrences, great
imagery and fine, all pervading sense of humour. Halbarad's dry,
resigned humour makes a very comic point of view when confronted with
Elrohir's elven aloofness and his own child's innocence. Great.


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Title: Tolkien's Use of Expletives · Author: Dreamflower · Genres:
Non-Fiction · ID: 147
Reviewer: Perelleth · 2006-10-29 11:43:23
This is a most interesting, useful short essay. I do not usually read
this kind of things, but the title caught my attention and then I read
it with sheer delight. It made me consider a point I had never before
thought about, and it borught to mind the importance of wording and
style, as well as how the characters' voices have so much to do with
their upbringing and their environment, as well as the historical
moment. A real jewel, and a thought provoking essay, because the lack of
use of expletives means too a very different culture and a very
different approach to things than what we are used to in our modern
times, and what most of our writing tends to show. A great idea, and a
brilliant development, Dreamflower, I found it truly enlightening!
-----------------------------------
Title: In The Pits Of Utumno · Author: Jay of Lasgalen · Races: Elves ·
ID: 164
Reviewer: Perelleth · 2006-10-29 11:43:40
Deliciosuly deceiving tale from title to last line. It is a wonderfully,
believable tale of darkness, danger, valour and consequences, which are
less painful when dealt with together. It left me with a big, great
smile first time I read it...as well as the second. The first part
offers a vivid description of what the title says. The pit, the dungeon,
the prisoner, the rescue mission...suspense is perfectly built up. The
second, the metaphor made clear, is also a vivid, realistic description
of waht is a very believable adventure. Not a moment of boredom in Imladris.
-----------------------------------
Title: Prison · Author: Radbooks · Races: Men: Vignette · ID: 794
Reviewer: Marta · 2006-10-29 14:36:20
Nice play on the meaning of "hope" there at the end. I like the way you
have captured Eomer's despair -- very effective.
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Title: Spring Rites · Author: Gwynnyd · Genres: Romance: Rohan · ID: 842
Reviewer: Marta · 2006-10-29 15:32:24
How sweet! This is an endearing ritual, I can see it really easily, and
it provides a glimpse into all four characters involved but especially
Eomer and Lothiriel. I love that that trust is already growing between
them; it's a good portent for their future.
-----------------------------------