Yahoo Forum Archive

This is an archive of the MEFA Yahoo Group, which was shut down by Yahoo in 2019. The archive can be sorted by month and by topic ID. You can use your browser to search by keyword within the month or topic you have open.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
2004---18210426558925263362316285
20051895610753834744697276194358565136
200623166277611713912756676615979
200720257-297299143318583103
2008561335424014127477516090106
2009283-39194101722722153624
201067-14103138129321316330
20111-172625906132758
201230---812276-----
2013------------
2014---------1-2
2015------------
2016------------
2017------------
2018------------
2019---------1--

Msg# 9462

MEFA Reviews for Monday, September 29, 2008 (Part Two) Posted by annmarwalk September 29, 2008 - 20:17:17 Topic ID# 9462
Title: Unwilling · Author: Elena Tiriel · Races: Elves: Drabbles · ID: 64
Reviewer: Tanaqui · 2008-09-29 21:47:02
Spoilers!
Yet again, Elena Tiriel has produced a drabble of great subtlety,
wisdom and poetry. In this piece about one of those who refused the
Great Journey from Cuivienen, she offers us a glimpse of a
rarely-heard voice that speaks quietly but with enormous power.

The drabble sets up a series of contrasts that give us a new insights
on the Avari and their response to the world, from their simple
pleasures at being within Illuvatar's creation to their horror at the
changes wrought by Men as they shape the world in modern times. One
can see clearly why the Avari were so early divided from their brethen
who had made the journey, and spent their energies on devising works
and waging war over them. The most poignant line in the drabble is the
elf's grief that we humans ["stole our beloved stars from the night"]
-- as someone living in a highly light-polluted area, I can attest
that this is all too sadly true.

The end of the drabble provides moving closure, as the elf's passing
is unmarked by those rushing around their busy lives. In short, this
piece is a wonderful meditation on modern life, and I think also a
concrete manifestation of Elena Tiriel's own approach to her art. As
someone whose own output is prolific and somewhat disposable, I was
only wishing today that I had the patience and persistence
consistently she shows to work and rework her drabbles to achieve such
perfection in them. She has a gift for this literary form that I
deeply envy!


Title: No Regrets · Author: Linda Hoyland · Times: Fourth Age and
Beyond: Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 490
Reviewer: Tanaqui · 2008-09-29 21:47:14
Spoilers!
In this lovely piece, Linda Hoyland shows Faramir's deep contentment
with his life after the War of the Ring, and the outcome fate has
dealt him. She enumerates perfectly -- in narrative and dialogue
between Faramir and Aragorn -- the many reasons why Faramir has no
cause to complain that he did not succeed his father as Ruling
Steward. The scene is vividly drawn, and one sees clearly the easy
companionship between the two men. Quite delightful!


Title: Terra Incognita · Author: Branwyn (Lady Branwyn) · Genres:
Humor: Drabbles · ID: 723
Reviewer: Tanaqui · 2008-09-29 21:47:47
Spoilers!
I'm not normally a fan of real-person stories, but in this piece,
Branwyn lightly paints a picture of the earliest days in which
Tolkien's legendarium began to emerge without every making us feel
intrusive or voyeuristic. A handsome piece!

Title: Mournful Fords · Author: Imhiriel · Genres: Drama: Ring War
Drabbles · ID: 368
Reviewer: Tanaqui · 2008-09-29 21:48:03
Spoilers!
Here, Imhiriel has created a drabble that is as mournful as the title.
Theoden, arriving at his son's burial mound, mourns both for the loss
of his only child in battle and his own inability to provide hope and
succour for his son -- and the rest of his subjects -- in these later
days, made clear by Theodred's final words.

Imhiriel expresses these sentiments with the usual grace, economy and
poetic turn of phrase we find in her work. This is the kind of
perceptive, profound piece that lingers and resonates with the reader
long afterwards, and makes us marvel that so much meaning can be
contained in so few words. In short, well done!

Title: To Give Hope · Author: peredhil lover · Races: Cross-Cultural:
Elves and Men · ID: 456
Reviewer: Yeade · 2008-09-29 21:48:16
Spoilers!
I don't think I'll ever tire of reading about Aragorn's family, human
and Elven. It's such a wretchedly complex knot of emotion that every
writer surprises me. Certainly, I believe fanfic goes a long way in
fleshing out the relationships between Gilraen, Elrond, Elladan, and
Elrohir. The bare facts Tolkien left are either woefully inadequate
(Elladan, Elrohir) or ambiguous and somewhat contradictory (Elrond,
Gilraen).

As the lead-in to a miniseries that continues in "Answers and
Questions," etc., "To Give Hope" seems kind of unfinished to me. Not
that the story can't stand alone but, as Elrond notes, events are set
in motion from which there's no turning back, and the weight of these
presses heavily upon me. The last line, the last *word*, when Gilraen
uses the name 'Estel' for the first time, is where the ramifications
of the actions taken throughout the rest of the fic really sink in for
me. All the big decisions have been made, all the character
interactions for the near future have been determined--even Aragorn
and Arwen, for Elrond's choice to keep Arwen from Aragorn's childhood
likely makes their later love possible--and all that's left is to do
your duty.

By the end, I feel akin to Sisyphus staring at the boulder he has to
roll up the mountain, lol. Maybe not quite so hopeless but weary of
sacrificing and knowing there's to be no rest yet. I can't pinpoint
why I sympathize so strongly with the characters though. The contrast
between the detailed yet simple narration and the turmoil observed?
Blissfully ignorant young Aragorn, folding napkins and playing tag
with Elrohir while Gilraen and Elrond fret over his future? The
pacing--like a wide, deep river flowing inexorably to the sea?
Whatever it is, it's well done!

Gilraen's memories of Arathorn are a real highlight for me. In "The
Tale of Aragorn and Arwen," she's so aged by decades of grief and care
that it's sometimes hard to remember how young she was when she wed
Arathorn and that they were together less than five years. Her sense
of loss is visceral; she's clearly not past that stage of married life
when you always seek the presence of your beloved, IMO. I can't help
but wonder if her initial violent rejection of Elrond's proposal to
hide Aragorn's lineage from even him is driven by her need to remember
Arathorn as much as on behalf of her son. It's very fitting, then,
that Arathorn's own words guide her to the decision she has to make.

Probably the characterization that impresses me most, however, is
Elladan and Elrohir. The twins are drawn as distinct
personalities--not easy to do when they're never apart in canon.
Elrohir's a darling, sensitive to others when his brother isn't and
doing all he can to comfort them. I'm glad Elrond's able to lend
Elrohir a little of the support he spends most of the story giving.
Elladan's deeply troubled by his perceived responsibility in
Arathorn's death. That his foresight warned him of the danger to
Arathorn adds another layer to his guilt. It'd never occurred to me
that anyone might take the work of an Orc arrow as a personal
failure--no one can predict the fortunes of battle. Of course, Elladan
seems to mourning not only his inability to protect his friend and
Celebrían before Arathorn but the futility of the Dúnedain's fight
against the Shadow, a war in which they're ever losing ground. This
broader dimension to Elladan's anguish is quite an insight, IMO. Makes
me worry that, as he identifies enough with his distant kin to accuse
his father of negligence in his hurt, Elladan might choose mortality.
Then where would Elrohir be? Not to mention poor Elrond!

Well, that's another tale. In "A Yearling Shoot" perhaps? I also look
forward to "In Dark Places," peredhil lover--fun times in Moria! XD

Title: Birthday Present · Author: Aranel Took · Genres: Drama: General
Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 441
Reviewer: Tanaqui · 2008-09-29 21:48:16
Spoilers!
This is another delightfully sly, amusing and intelligent drabble from
Aranel Took, with so much to enjoy. The pen portrait of a very young
Pippin as he demands his due from Uncle Bilbo raised a chuckle as I
read Aranel's deft description of the incongruity between Pippin's age
and his manner. The middle section contains some masterly
misdirection, as we are somewhat taken aback -- or at least, I was --
by Pippin's apparently mercenary demand for a present to mark the
occasion of Bilbo's birthday. But all is well in the end, as we learn
the reason for such apparently unmannerly insistence on his rights –
for the gift which he craves so intensely is to sit on Bilbo's lap and
hear one of his treasury of stories. As with all of Aranel's pieces,
the writing is clear and crisp, with well-chosen vocabulary and
phrasing that strongly conveys the scene she is describing. Fluff,
perhaps, but with surprising depths! Highly recommended.


Title: This crown of stars · Author: Fawsley · Races: Men: General
Drabbles · ID: 586
Reviewer: Tanaqui · 2008-09-29 21:48:29
Spoilers!
This masterfully written drabble is as chilly and beautiful as the
long winter nights must have been for Aragorn as he contemplates the
likelihood of his plans and hopes succeeding. The structure and firm
rhythm of the piece drive us towards a climax that seems as inevitable
and fixed as the constellations above. Beautifully expressed.


Title: A Large Bold Hand · Author: Jay of Lasgalen · Races:
Cross-Cultural: Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 10
Reviewer: Tanaqui · 2008-09-29 21:48:44
Spoilers!
Oh! I'd never considered how Ori might have acquired his penmanship,
but Jay of Lasgalen's delightful drabble provides an enchanting
explanation. I love this glimpse into Ori's scholarship and Elrohir's
kindness. A small but beautifully crafted treat -- well done!


Title: Symbols of Love · Author: Larner · Genres: Adventure · ID: 130
Reviewer: Yeade · 2008-09-29 22:01:52
Spoilers!
Truth is, fics about cuddly handmade knitting invariably melt me into
a cooing puddle of goo. (It's an embarrassing quirk I picked up in the
SGA fandom. XD) "Symbols of Love" is no exception. The titular star of
the piece--obviously Aragorn's quilt!--is wonderfully described. As a
keepsake of all who love Aragorn and are in return loved, the quilt's
certainly fitting and moving as well as practical. I can so clearly
imagine the work and care that went into selecting the materials, the
sewing, even as I somewhat irreverently wonder who dared put shears to
Lord Elrond's wardrobe or how many times what Éowyn wore on the
Pelennor had to be washed before a clean spot showed. It's a bloody
miracle Frodo's clothes survived the aftermath, all the way to his
healing in Rivendell, of his stabbing by the Witch-king! Or that
Legolas carried Boromir's spare shirt with him all over Rohan and
Gondor, through *three* major battles. Of course, these rather
unlikely contributions make the idea that much more darling. Hijinks
and lots of good-natured teasing ensue as people dig to the bottoms of
their figurative sock drawers!

Furthermore, it occurs to me, in his explanation of how he finds
Henneth Annûn blindfolded, that Aragorn himself is a sort of human
patchwork quilt. He's been shaped by the Elves, the Dúnedain of both
the North and South, his many acquaintances among other races (e.g.
Hobbits, Istari), and an unknown but no doubt large number of other
human cultures (e.g. Rohan, Harad), and his teachers gifted him with
what they knew of wisdom, lore, and skill for friendship, love, and
hope of who he was and would be. So, in a way, Aragorn's the quilt
people like Berenion stitched together for, I guess, ultimately
Middle-earth. Is this a silly thought or what? ^^;;

Eldarion and Elboron are cute as a matching pair of buttons, both so
pleased and eager to be hunting with their fathers and the Rangers.
Elboron is perhaps a little cocky in shooting the boar, but I figure
that's the nature of youth. I giggled madly at Faramir and Beregond
roundly scolding Elboron for his haste only to have Aragorn undo a big
part of their lecture with his high compliment. There's such an easy
rapport between Aragorn and Faramir as well, and their wager is a
treat to read from beginning to end. Especially when Aragorn takes off
his boots and comments that Arwen won't be happy if he returns with a
broken leg. Indeed not!

Congratulations, Larner! On a light and most enjoyable tale with, IMO,
the right balance of action and exposition, humor and a dash of sorrow
for loved ones departed.

Title: Into the Woods · Author: Gloria Mundi · Times: Modern Times ·
ID: 593
Reviewer: Larner · 2008-09-30 00:42:37
Well written, and obviously movie-verse for Aragorn, at least. Have to
laugh when I think of Sean Bean playing both roles.


Title: Somewhere I Have Never Traveled · Author: Fiondil · Times:
Fourth Age and Beyond · ID: 578
Reviewer: Larner · 2008-09-30 01:06:40
Spoilers!
Ah, it is her time, and she goes gladly enough, having been furious
not to find her husband waiting there to go with her. Now it is time
to come to him--there.

There is grief on Tol Eressea for the daughter who has gone by; and an
additional grief for those who must go after.

A delight to have read this again. Sad and filled with solemn
laughter, joy, peace, regret, and hope--always hope.