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Msg# 9528
MEFA Reviews for Tuesday, November 4, 2008 Posted by annmarwalk November 04, 2008 - 19:34:35 Topic ID# 9528Title: Trinity · Author: pandemonium_213 · Times: Modern Times · ID: 51
Reviewer: Moreth · 2008-11-04 10:18:26
Spoilers!
Hmmm - I find it hard to write a review for this story because it hits
home on so many levels!
Everything from the description of the desert storm to the clothes the
characters wear is excellently written. The touches of humour are
superb: ["The hair stays. We're rather vain about it, I'm afraid,"
said Fionn.] and the dialogue about refractive proteins makes me grin
every time I read it!
However, the themes of invention and responsibility are what make this
story really stand out. Pandemonium has used an unconventional
interpretation of Middle-Earth to consider some of the moral dilemmas
posed by technology. The pride in intellectual achievement, the joy of
creating something novel and the regret of all three characters is
convincingly portrayed. There is a nice touch of ambiguity regarding
the 'dream' that closes the piece in a very satisfying manner.
Thought-provoking and entertaining, this really is a 'cross-over'
story like no other! I thoroughly recommend a look...
Title: Old Friends · Author: Marta · Times: Fourth Age and Beyond:
Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 651
Reviewer: Robinka · 2008-11-04 10:30:58
A very nice drabble with a touch of nostalgia to it. Olórin found
himself in a melancholic mood and recalled his time spent with his
friends, the friends that he dearly missed, in Middle Earth.
I particularly loved the last line. Moving and well done!
Title: Tree of Knowledge · Author: Nancy Brooke · Times: Late Third
Age: Gondor Drabbles · ID: 172
Reviewer: Robinka · 2008-11-04 10:55:23
This is another gem of a drabble by Nancy -- another excellent example
of her marvellous skills as a drabble writer. A hundred-word piece
that shows not only Denethor's disturbed thoughts -- his
Palantir-infused state of mind as he ponders his son's fate, but also
presents his rebellious, firm and yet poetic voice. Splendidly
written, powerful and chilling!
Title: Sing My Worth Immortal · Author: Perelleth · Races:
Cross-Cultural · ID: 168
Reviewer: Moreth · 2008-11-04 11:03:33
A cast of (slightly tipsy) elves, a dwarf, Glorfindel's idea of
['cultural exchange'] and of course 'the drink of heroes'... and the
story of how it was discovered.
(And I'm sure Celeborn really should know better then to mention a
lady's age!)
It really is all delightfully silly! Nicely done, and my thanks to the
random story generator for pointing me to it.
Title: Kementari · Author: Marta · Times: First Age and Prior · ID: 99
Reviewer: Moreth · 2008-11-04 11:31:46
Spoilers!
How evocative and sad! There is feeling of a grief so deep that
everything around seems stagnant and meaningless. Yavanna's inability
to create is heartbreaking... as is her melancholy view of the future.
This really is beautifully crafted. Very well done!
Title: Somewhere I Have Never Traveled · Author: Fiondil · Times:
Fourth Age and Beyond · ID: 578
Reviewer: Virtuella · 2008-11-04 21:39:38
How beautifully written! What I particularly like is what Eowyn has to
say: That Arwen's choice isn't so spectacularly special, just because
she is immortal, and that the choices made by humans are just as valid.
Somehow I would have thought that the afterlife would be a bit more
... otherworldly. It seems a bit too physical. Still, a very good story.
Title: Orc Talk! · Author: kitt_otter · Genres: Humor: Elven Lands ·
ID: 703
Reviewer: Virtuella · 2008-11-04 21:50:44
I haven't a clue what the word means, unless it's supposed to be troll
turd? A very amusing story and written with wit and elegance. I don't
noramlly care three straws for Legolas, but I liked this.
Title: Legacy · Author: Raksha the Demon · Races: Men: General
Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 500
Reviewer: Virtuella · 2008-11-04 22:00:10
This is a touching piece in well-chosen, polished words. In a very
short story you have given the impression of width and depth of time
and space, of past and future related in this one person. I like it
very much indeed.
Title: The Game of Kings · Author: Branwyn (Lady Branwyn) · Genres:
Humor · ID: 28
Reviewer: Virtuella · 2008-11-04 22:04:48
What a clever little ficlet this is, and every word fits just so! A
game of kings indeed. Well done.
Title: Wedding Nerves · Author: Jay of Lasgalen · Times: Late Third
Age: Gondor · ID: 48
Reviewer: Virtuella · 2008-11-04 22:10:48
Oh, this was a very amusing story, in a light-hearted, witty sort of
way, skillfully written. I particularly chuckled about Elladan saying
that Aragorn washed up quite well. Well done.
Title: Not Quite Any Other Day · Author: Pearl Took · Races: Hobbits:
Family · ID: 631
Reviewer: Virtuella · 2008-11-04 22:33:04
Oooh, this is an absolutely charming story! As usual, your prose is
just spot on. The wedding of a sibling can be tough indeed - I
remember my brother wasn't too happy on my wedding day, what with me
moving to another country and all that. Did you know, BTW, that the
greatest witch in all of Discworld is one Esmerelda "Esme" Weatherwax?
I just realize I will have to make this a bit longer to score more
points - I LOVED the bit when the water came to his groin, very funny,
and at the same time that whole scene was very, very romantic.
Brilliant! The last sentence is both amusing and touching.
Title: The Myth of the One Ring's Power · Author: Dreamflower ·
Genres: Non-Fiction · ID: 532
Reviewer: Virtuella · 2008-11-04 23:12:06
Spoilers!
Wow, Barbara, this was one facinating essay! I'm glad I came across
it. What a very astute examination of the exact nature of the ring. I
was particularly interested in the concept of the ring's "blind spot".
You are right, it could only overwhelm people who were already much in
the same "mould" as Sauron. Likewise, it is very conceivable that its
lures failed because they were so over the top. Especially in Sam's
case that is very evident.
I would like to add to this a more formal thought: The talk of the
absolutely irresisteble power of the ring is a hyperbole that is
necessary to perpetuate the plot. The epic story of LOTR could not
have been based on a ring that was merely said to be *rather* powerful
and dangerous - just like in a fairy tale you would never talk of a
princess being merely "quite a nice looking lass". On the other hand,
the ring *had* to be flawed and limited, because otherwise it *would*
have overwhelemed everybody and then there would have been no story.
The tension betwen the perception of the ring as being all-powerful
and the reality of it not quite getting a hold of people is the
catalyst by which the story is developed. Mind you, I would never have
thought of it in this way, had I not read your clever essay!
Title: Tower of the Moon · Author: Nath · Times: Multi-Age · ID: 577
Reviewer: stefaniab · 2008-11-05 00:23:10
Spoilers!
This short tale is a reflection on the city of Minas Ithil, once the
delight of Isildur's eye. The city was eventually captured by Sauron's
forces and corrupted into a place of horror. First, Nath gives us
Isildur's perspective as he views the new construction. Then we are
given Aragorn's perspective, three thousand years later, after Minas
Ithil has become, in modern terms, a "toxic waste site." This is an
unusual and thought provoking story.
Reviewer: Moreth · 2008-11-04 10:18:26
Spoilers!
Hmmm - I find it hard to write a review for this story because it hits
home on so many levels!
Everything from the description of the desert storm to the clothes the
characters wear is excellently written. The touches of humour are
superb: ["The hair stays. We're rather vain about it, I'm afraid,"
said Fionn.] and the dialogue about refractive proteins makes me grin
every time I read it!
However, the themes of invention and responsibility are what make this
story really stand out. Pandemonium has used an unconventional
interpretation of Middle-Earth to consider some of the moral dilemmas
posed by technology. The pride in intellectual achievement, the joy of
creating something novel and the regret of all three characters is
convincingly portrayed. There is a nice touch of ambiguity regarding
the 'dream' that closes the piece in a very satisfying manner.
Thought-provoking and entertaining, this really is a 'cross-over'
story like no other! I thoroughly recommend a look...
Title: Old Friends · Author: Marta · Times: Fourth Age and Beyond:
Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 651
Reviewer: Robinka · 2008-11-04 10:30:58
A very nice drabble with a touch of nostalgia to it. Olórin found
himself in a melancholic mood and recalled his time spent with his
friends, the friends that he dearly missed, in Middle Earth.
I particularly loved the last line. Moving and well done!
Title: Tree of Knowledge · Author: Nancy Brooke · Times: Late Third
Age: Gondor Drabbles · ID: 172
Reviewer: Robinka · 2008-11-04 10:55:23
This is another gem of a drabble by Nancy -- another excellent example
of her marvellous skills as a drabble writer. A hundred-word piece
that shows not only Denethor's disturbed thoughts -- his
Palantir-infused state of mind as he ponders his son's fate, but also
presents his rebellious, firm and yet poetic voice. Splendidly
written, powerful and chilling!
Title: Sing My Worth Immortal · Author: Perelleth · Races:
Cross-Cultural · ID: 168
Reviewer: Moreth · 2008-11-04 11:03:33
A cast of (slightly tipsy) elves, a dwarf, Glorfindel's idea of
['cultural exchange'] and of course 'the drink of heroes'... and the
story of how it was discovered.
(And I'm sure Celeborn really should know better then to mention a
lady's age!)
It really is all delightfully silly! Nicely done, and my thanks to the
random story generator for pointing me to it.
Title: Kementari · Author: Marta · Times: First Age and Prior · ID: 99
Reviewer: Moreth · 2008-11-04 11:31:46
Spoilers!
How evocative and sad! There is feeling of a grief so deep that
everything around seems stagnant and meaningless. Yavanna's inability
to create is heartbreaking... as is her melancholy view of the future.
This really is beautifully crafted. Very well done!
Title: Somewhere I Have Never Traveled · Author: Fiondil · Times:
Fourth Age and Beyond · ID: 578
Reviewer: Virtuella · 2008-11-04 21:39:38
How beautifully written! What I particularly like is what Eowyn has to
say: That Arwen's choice isn't so spectacularly special, just because
she is immortal, and that the choices made by humans are just as valid.
Somehow I would have thought that the afterlife would be a bit more
... otherworldly. It seems a bit too physical. Still, a very good story.
Title: Orc Talk! · Author: kitt_otter · Genres: Humor: Elven Lands ·
ID: 703
Reviewer: Virtuella · 2008-11-04 21:50:44
I haven't a clue what the word means, unless it's supposed to be troll
turd? A very amusing story and written with wit and elegance. I don't
noramlly care three straws for Legolas, but I liked this.
Title: Legacy · Author: Raksha the Demon · Races: Men: General
Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 500
Reviewer: Virtuella · 2008-11-04 22:00:10
This is a touching piece in well-chosen, polished words. In a very
short story you have given the impression of width and depth of time
and space, of past and future related in this one person. I like it
very much indeed.
Title: The Game of Kings · Author: Branwyn (Lady Branwyn) · Genres:
Humor · ID: 28
Reviewer: Virtuella · 2008-11-04 22:04:48
What a clever little ficlet this is, and every word fits just so! A
game of kings indeed. Well done.
Title: Wedding Nerves · Author: Jay of Lasgalen · Times: Late Third
Age: Gondor · ID: 48
Reviewer: Virtuella · 2008-11-04 22:10:48
Oh, this was a very amusing story, in a light-hearted, witty sort of
way, skillfully written. I particularly chuckled about Elladan saying
that Aragorn washed up quite well. Well done.
Title: Not Quite Any Other Day · Author: Pearl Took · Races: Hobbits:
Family · ID: 631
Reviewer: Virtuella · 2008-11-04 22:33:04
Oooh, this is an absolutely charming story! As usual, your prose is
just spot on. The wedding of a sibling can be tough indeed - I
remember my brother wasn't too happy on my wedding day, what with me
moving to another country and all that. Did you know, BTW, that the
greatest witch in all of Discworld is one Esmerelda "Esme" Weatherwax?
I just realize I will have to make this a bit longer to score more
points - I LOVED the bit when the water came to his groin, very funny,
and at the same time that whole scene was very, very romantic.
Brilliant! The last sentence is both amusing and touching.
Title: The Myth of the One Ring's Power · Author: Dreamflower ·
Genres: Non-Fiction · ID: 532
Reviewer: Virtuella · 2008-11-04 23:12:06
Spoilers!
Wow, Barbara, this was one facinating essay! I'm glad I came across
it. What a very astute examination of the exact nature of the ring. I
was particularly interested in the concept of the ring's "blind spot".
You are right, it could only overwhelm people who were already much in
the same "mould" as Sauron. Likewise, it is very conceivable that its
lures failed because they were so over the top. Especially in Sam's
case that is very evident.
I would like to add to this a more formal thought: The talk of the
absolutely irresisteble power of the ring is a hyperbole that is
necessary to perpetuate the plot. The epic story of LOTR could not
have been based on a ring that was merely said to be *rather* powerful
and dangerous - just like in a fairy tale you would never talk of a
princess being merely "quite a nice looking lass". On the other hand,
the ring *had* to be flawed and limited, because otherwise it *would*
have overwhelemed everybody and then there would have been no story.
The tension betwen the perception of the ring as being all-powerful
and the reality of it not quite getting a hold of people is the
catalyst by which the story is developed. Mind you, I would never have
thought of it in this way, had I not read your clever essay!
Title: Tower of the Moon · Author: Nath · Times: Multi-Age · ID: 577
Reviewer: stefaniab · 2008-11-05 00:23:10
Spoilers!
This short tale is a reflection on the city of Minas Ithil, once the
delight of Isildur's eye. The city was eventually captured by Sauron's
forces and corrupted into a place of horror. First, Nath gives us
Isildur's perspective as he views the new construction. Then we are
given Aragorn's perspective, three thousand years later, after Minas
Ithil has become, in modern terms, a "toxic waste site." This is an
unusual and thought provoking story.
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