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Title: A Woman in Few Words: The Character of Nerdanel and Her
Treatment in Canon and Fandom · Author: Dawn Felagund · Genres:
Non-Fiction: Character Studies · ID: 107
Reviewer: dkpalaska · 2008-10-10 05:40:28
In this well-researched and well-presented essay, Dawn Felagund has
gleaned many excellent and enticing facts about Nerdanel from both the
Silm and HoMe. There's actually a little more available about this
character than I realized, but still - there's a real dearth of solid
detail concerning Feanor's wife in any of Tolkien's posthumous
publications.

Nonetheless, as the author aptly points out, she is a popular figure
in the fandom given how little she shows up in the actual books. Dawn
demonstrates that the impression of Nerdanel's popularity is
statistically true. (Although nice to see the back-up info, the
Appendix is anti-climactic after the entertaining essay; I might have
preferred it as a second chapter, so it could be more easily skipped
by the uninterested.)

Even better, Dawn gathers together in one place all the "canon" facts
about this character, each well-referenced. The discussion points flow
smoothly from one to the next in the author's intimate and
conversational style.

Title: Galdor: An Elf By Any Other Name.... · Author: Marta · Genres:
Non-Fiction: Character Studies · ID: 475
Reviewer: dkpalaska · 2008-10-10 05:41:24
I think the first thing that I noticed about this essay is the
wonderful tone that Marta strikes throughout: informative but
humorous. The introduction may be the author's personal recounting of
how a Galdor Nuzgul latched on to her ankle, but it also speaks
directly to the heart of every single LotR fan(atic) that has been
completely and repeatedly captivated by the Master's writings.

I found that - as always with this author - the speculations are
believable and well-substantiated, and the writing clear even when
dealing with several issues. Marta leads the reader through a
delightful exercise in logic as she teases out a backstory for Galdor.

It struck me immediately how symptomatic Galdor is of the immense and
incomplete backdrop that Tolkien constructed and set his Hobbit and
LotR stories in. He had a complex and ever-changing epic world that
sat behind the smaller epics he published within his lifetime. Just
the minor glimpses we see of Gondolin or Earendil lend a depth and
fullness to the surface story, enhanced in part because Tolkien had so
much of that backdrop already figured out. In thinking about it, it is
little surprise a minor character like Galdor would be no different:
seemingly a one-off appearance, yet likely with much background
thought in Tolkien's mind.

Title: Aulë the Smith · Author: Oshun · Genres: Non-Fiction: Character
Studies · ID: 530
Reviewer: dkpalaska · 2008-10-10 05:41:55
[Aulë the Smith] is an informative and enjoyable summary of one of the
mighty among the Valar. In fact, as the Vala who had the greatest
influence upon the far-travelling and realm-ruling Noldor, I think one
could argue that he is quite possibly the most significant player
concerning the unfolding history of Middle-earth itself.

The author uses a light touch throughout, with some delightful
descriptions of different individuals and events; this is definitely
far from being dry reference material. I feel the essay could easily
have managed even longer discussion, with more direct quotes and
references. The quotes that are used are pertinent and blend very
smoothly into the narrative.

No doubt part of my relishing this essay is due to my personal bias -
being an engineer myself, I can relate to much of Aule's passion for
discovery and love of working with his hands. Besides, who couldn't
adore such a practical guy?

Title: Utúlie'n Aurë · Author: Nieriel Raina · Genres: Drama: General
Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 163
Reviewer: Linda Hoyland · 2008-10-10 06:16:00
Spoilers!
I enjoyed this ficlet about the reaction at Rivendell to the fall of
Sauron.I can well imagine the Elves,especially such as Glorfindel and
Erestor would sense the momentous event. How wonderful that the child
they raised helped to bring it about!

Title: Things as they were in all the days of my life · Author:
Tanaqui · Races: Men: Pre-Ring War Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 393
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2008-10-10 07:03:41
Spoilers!
A lovely and well-written collection of drabbles focussing on the 26th
Ruling Steward of Gondor. An extra delight is the presence of Hurin of
the Keys as the friend of Denethor's youth - who knew that young
Denethor had a mischievous streak a mile wide? Tanaqui makes it seem
plausible.

The word-picture of Denethor playing practical jokes on Thorongil, and
being frustrated by the Northerner's impermeable self-control, is
marvelous. And the glimpse of the young Finduilas using an interesting
criteria to narrow the field of potential suitors is charming. (I can
just see Denethor doing it, too; you know he wouldn't rest until he'd
mastered the task!) But it is the last drabble that is the most
haunting, a tale of grief after grief that turns a once vital man into
stone and then provides, in that harrowing last line, a last and fatal
crack.