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Msg# 8395

MEFA Reviews for November 8, 2007 (Part 1) Posted by Ann November 08, 2007 - 4:10:25 Topic ID# 8395
Title: Alone, Yourself and Nameless · Author: Pearl Took · Races:
Cross-Cultural: With Pippin · ID: 434
Reviewer: Garnet Took · 2007-10-19 01:18:42
This is one of those stories with a lot of meaning in it. It is a deep
and thought-pervoking story.

Pippin sees with clear Sight just who Tom Bombidil is, and what his
own life might have been like had not thing happened the way they had.

There is so much here for eyes to see that will.

Title: Good Rest Ye Merry · Author: Llinos · Genres: Poetry · ID: 798
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2007-10-19 01:41:17
Rather fiendishly jolly; and quite good in the fit of words to melody
- some of the verses had me singing along.



Title: Bitter · Author: vladazhael · Genres: Drama: General Drabble ·
ID: 173
Reviewer: Súlriel · 2007-10-19 01:57:48
I found this drabble to be very powerful. Emotional and punchy with
the build-up of love and loyalty despite all odds and the final, very
final, betrayal that severed all ties. Well done.

Title: Subdivisions · Author: Aliana · Genres: Alternate Universe:
Gondor or Rohan · ID: 551
Reviewer: Dwimordene · 2007-10-19 02:14:47
Another fine addition to Aliana's collection of Houses of Healing
stories, postmodern and otherwise.

What I love about these stories, and about Aliana's writing in
general, is the way she manages to capture the sense of time moving
on, of everyone being perpetually out of step with time. Whether it's
not having enough of it, because facing a sort of end of time within
time (end of the world, end times), or whether it is the phenomenon of
a sort of lost time, a being out of time and not being able to quite
fit in to the new world that is first and foremost a new Age, her
characters stumble through their lives, missing moments and sanity,
but at certain crucial sticking points, they manage to stand up
straight and say the truth of their situation. Then they tumble free
and who knows what will happen to them?

Nostalgia and idealism, engagement and disillusionment, and the irony
of getting exactly what you thought you always wanted and discovering
that that was never quite it - all of these things play in so strongly
to Aliana's work. It may be funny, it may be tragic, but it captures
something that feels very real - a way of being that we recognize from
our own time and see reflected in a work that is oriented by a book
already dated, reflecting an image of a past that never was. It's great!

Long live postmodern Gondor - and I hope to see more of Fallen one day
soon...

Title: Divided · Author: Pen52 · Genres: Drama: The Fellowship · ID: 223
Reviewer: Súlriel · 2007-10-19 02:19:21

Pen gives us an amazing, heart-wrenching glimpse into the heart of the
man who will be king, contrasted painfully with another one who had
been raised to rule, through the eyes of a simple Hobbit.

In this single scene we see, and feel, the pains and heatbreaks of the
ages, of how many lives lost, how many families broken.

I believe that Pen reaches deep into the heart of Tolkien's
mythologies with her portrayal of these two men, again, in contrast
with the Hobbit. - She shows us, through their lives, how wrong it can
be to try to hold what's right, and yet, how can they be any
different? How can Boromir imagine forgiveness for a people who have
killed so many of his own over the year. How can Aragorn not? The
clash and the conflict of them both being 'right' reaches all the way
back through the histories, giving this short LoTR story a wonderful,
deep Silmfic-ish feel.

Title: Five Things That Never Happened to Theodred and Boromir ·
Author: EdorasLass · Genres: Alternate Universe · ID: 545
Reviewer: Dwimordene · 2007-10-19 02:23:33
EdorasLass has given us some great Alternate Universe fics in the
past, and here are five short gems to add to the lot. Boromir and
Theodred, of course, and EdorasLass ranges freely over the
possibilities: we see how easily things could have ended before ever
they began, and how well they might have ended if only fortune had
been kinder.

But I think the two that hit hardest were the ones dealing with
Boromir's journey north to Imladris, and his stop in at Edoras. One of
these drabbles is absolutely chilling - understated power politics
that are entirely, *entirely* too plausible, all wrapped up in just a
hundred or so words. It is simply too easy to imagine now that she's
put the possibility in front of us. And angstbunny that I am, if
EdorasLass were to pursue such a dark AU, I'd probably be there
drooling all the way. *ahem*

The other, while less likely, I think, nevertheless has such a
beautiful, tragic end to it that it is hard to resist the idea. In the
line of tenth walkers, this would be a very interesting tale as well,
though I still wonder about the command situation. Ah well. It's
suggestive and, as noted, beautiful - well done!

Those who love Boromir and Theodred should enjoy these drabbles!

Title: Calm after the Storm · Author: Imhiriel · Genres: Adventure:
Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 350
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2007-10-19 03:46:38
Well-written ficlet blending a sense of post-battle accomplishment and
weariness. Excellent descriptions; and there's a lot of story packed
into 200 words. Very appropriate title, too.

And of course, a nekkid Imrahil is ALWAYS a plus!

Title: My Dear Bandobras · Author: Le Rouret · Times: Fourth Age and
Beyond · ID: 818
Reviewer: Bodkin · 2007-10-19 11:08:31
This is a most entertaining story - one that infuriates the reader
along the way and leaves a definite urge to tell Legolas to snap out
of it and dispose of the brain-dead bimbo who seems to love nothing
more than her own reflection in the mirror. Really! I had rather hoped
that elves were more or less immune to Paris Hiltonitis - but the girl
seems a prime example of the breed.

Bandobras is delightful - and if anyone can reassure Legolas that he
has had a very, very lucky escape, the hobbit should be the one.

You depict a very interesting world ... very mannered and three
dimensional. A most enjoyable story. With a most aggravating 'heroine'.

Title: A Pirate's Life for Me! · Author: Raksha the Demon · Races:
Men: Other Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 438
Reviewer: Larner · 2007-10-19 11:30:58
Ah, Faramir playing at pirates, first as a child with Uncle Imrahil,
and then as an adult with his children, seeing both their awfulness
and their attractions! A wonderful cross-generational look at Faramir
and his perceptions of the folk of Umbar.

A marvelous pair of vignettes!

Title: Healing Lessons · Author: Pearl Took · Races: Cross-Cultural:
With Pippin · ID: 296
Reviewer: Larner · 2007-10-19 11:43:42
When it comes to healing, Dwarves also have their methods and useful
tools. When Pippin finds he can't sleep due to the extent of his
injuries and the headache he's enduring, healer Parsow starts off to
get advice from the King but instead gets assistance from Gimli.

A most appropriate means of helping the body heal using ideas that I
know have been a part of alternative medicine for centuries (in my
mind I can hear Caspar singing, ["This is my box, this is my box, I
never travel without my box!)]. And the story is told well and
effectively. Parsow is another OC I've come to admire.

Title: Justice · Author: Imhiriel · Genres: Drama: Gondor Drabble ·
ID: 633
Reviewer: Larner · 2007-10-19 11:48:21
Ah, yes, our beloved newly acknowledged of still uncrowned King
offering hope to the former slaves of Mordor, giving them the lands
they'd worked for Sauron now for their own, offering them also hope
for the future.

As always, a magnificent theme well written and executed, with the
representative slave brilliantly and convincingly portrayed in spite
of the limitations of the drabble form.

Title: An Unexpected Party · Author: Branwyn · Genres: Humor: Drabble
· ID: 16
Reviewer: Larner · 2007-10-19 11:50:26
One of my very favorite short crossovers, as Thorin contemplates the
seven very odd Dwarves recruited by Gandalf for the trip to Erebor. If
you don't recognize them, you must have had a VERY protected
childhood! Heh!

Title: Riders to the Sea · Author: claudia6032000 · Genres: Alternate
Universe: The Shire or Buckland · ID: 158
Reviewer: Larner · 2007-10-19 12:01:41
A wonderful AU here of a possible first meeting between Frodo and
Aragorn. How wonderful, with images we already know are part of the
story of Frodo's future. And the description of the small camp the two
share for the night and Frodo's demand of his new acquaintance is
marvelous!

Title: Fate and Destiny · Author: pippinfan88 · Races: Hobbits:
Pre-Quest · ID: 300
Reviewer: Larner · 2007-10-19 12:10:10
The family of Paladin Took has become closely attached to young orphan
Degger Greenholm; but when a sledding accident breaks the one heirloom
the lad carries, a watch very similar to that carried by Paladin and
other heirs to the sons of the Old Took, the mystery of Degger's
forebears becomes irresistable to Pippin and his closest kin. And we
learn why it is that in the case of Isembold Took, the family tree
states only "Many descendants."

A fascinating look at Hobbit life and life within the Great Smial for
the descendants of old Gerontius, no matter which side of the beize
door they tend to dwell on.

Title: Journey's End · Author: Altariel · Genres: Drama: Ithilien ·
ID: 442
Reviewer: Larner · 2007-10-19 12:21:55
Ah, to have read this once more! Two Rangers, younger and older, have
come to Bey and Eilen's inn, far down in Ithilien. The older one puffs
at his pipe, both seem glad to sleep in the barn when the inn proves
full, and the song sung about leaving a brother behind in the war
brings tears to the eyes of the younger one. She gives them a good
meal for supper and again for breakfast....

A lovely look at two traveling incognito, getting back to their roots.
And the moods are superbly conveyed.

Title: First Flight · Author: Isabeau of Greenlea · Times: Mid Third
Age: 2851 - 3017 TA: Other Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 513
Reviewer: Larner · 2007-10-19 12:26:15
A joy to read again, as we see Radagast checking on the progress of a
former patient and seeing him live up to his name indeed. Of all the
sentient races of Arda, the Great Eagles are among my favorite, and
this story is a wonderful one!

Title: For all the Gold in Harad · Author: Elendiari22 · Genres:
Drama: Incomplete · ID: 584
Reviewer: Larner · 2007-10-19 12:30:06
Eldarion's tutor has left, and it looks as if he will have a summer of
leisure with no studies. But then he meets a Haradri princess who
teaches him and his sister without the two children being truly aware
of how they are learning. But the story of this lady and her losses
touch the heart of the Prince of Gondor, until he finds a lost
treasure and sees it restored.

Lovely use of reality and fantasy brought together to make a
satisfying tale.

Title: Seasons · Author: Robinka · Races: Elves: Fixed-Length Ficlet ·
ID: 655
Reviewer: Larner · 2007-10-19 12:38:47
Alas that Celegorm could not accept that Luthien failed to find him as
desirable as he found her. The tragedy of unrequited love leading to
unbearable sorrow told in four powerfully told short segments, each
associated with a season.

Title: Endings and Beginnings · Author: Tanaqui · Times: Second Age:
Drabble · ID: 726
Reviewer: Larner · 2007-10-19 12:41:47
A unique manner of bringing together the worlds of Star Gate Atlantis
and Middle Earth in this unusual changing of the story of the Founding
of Gondor and Arnor.

Title: Romancing the Smut · Author: Llinos · Genres: Poetry: With
Hobbits · ID: 797
Reviewer: Larner · 2007-10-19 12:46:40
A piece of advice, when trying to write a delightful love sonnet, it's
best to first muzzle younger cousins and lock them in the closet!
Charmingly funny.

Title: It Is Custom · Author: Mar'isu · Races: Cross-Cultural: The
Fellowship · ID: 820
Reviewer: Larner · 2007-10-19 12:53:42
It appears that only Boromir is moved to find solace in a way common
to Men after the loss of Gandalf in Moria.

Rather a sad story, really, and not a flattering look at Boromir, I
fear; but all, all too human.

Title: Future Imperfect · Author: Tanaqui · Times: Mid Third Age: 2851
- 3017 TA · ID: 749
Reviewer: Larner · 2007-10-19 13:02:20
A thoughtful and painful vignette of Faramir overhearing a debate
between his father and his grandfather Adrahil as to his future. How
does the ruler of a great nation such as Gondor deal with the
possibility of losing sons in the service of the land, and yet not
appear to be granting them special privilege if he follows the
dictates of his own heart.

It is wonderful to see Denethor showing how deeply he cares for both
his sons.

Title: Freddy and the Thain's Rabbit · Author: grey_wonderer · Races:
Hobbits · ID: 251
Reviewer: Larner · 2007-10-19 13:06:25
Errol the stuffed rabbit has been a feature of many of Grey Wonderer's
tales of Pippin; now as a new generation of little Hobbits grow up
within the Great Smial we learn his origin and watch his interactions
with little Freddy.

A wonderful tale of finding and coming to terms with life while
growing in love and imagination, complete with a revelation from the
Queen that doesn't quite surprise Pippin as much as it might the rest
who learn it.

As usual, a wonderful, thoughtful, humorous tale by GW.

Title: The Archives Incident · Author: Dreamflower · Genres:
Adventure: Minas Tirith · ID: 38
Reviewer: Larner · 2007-10-19 13:12:53
To their surprise and horror, Pippin and Frodo learn that there are
some places within the White City that are not completely safe, as a
search of the Archives ends with them locked in a disused corner,
Pippin injured, and endangered by rats.

So likely a piece, with Pippin's finding of a sappy poem written in
honor of Thorongil that has them chortling to the attempts to stave
off those rats drawn by the scent of the injury. Dreamflower brings
the less commonly visited corners of the archive to life.

Title: Fell Wisdom · Author: Marta · Times: Late Third Age: 3018-3022
TA: General Drabble · ID: 323
Reviewer: Larner · 2007-10-19 13:17:13
A marvelous examination of the second thoughts Theoden might have
known as they rode for Helm's Deep, with language so reminiscent of
the speech he gave his men later before the charge of the Pelennor.

Beautiful word usage!