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Msg# 9533
MEFA Reviews for Friday, November 8, 2008 (Part Two) Posted by annmarwalk November 07, 2008 - 19:50:58 Topic ID# 9533Title: Heavens' Embroidered Cloths · Author: Tanaqui · Genres: Drama:
Gondor Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 292
Reviewer: dkpalaska · 2008-11-07 21:21:58
Spoilers!
I really am in awe of this drabble series (and its partner). Tanaqui
set out to construct a set of astronomically-inspired legends
incorporating Middle-earth history, and each drabble hangs as
perfectly with the others as those tapestries must have in Eowyn and
Faramir's hall. The pure creativity in coming up with so many
different explanations for the different star formations, both in
Tolkien's universe and our own, is matched impeccably by Tanaqui's
awesome drabbling ability and perfectly-managed language.
The storytelling drabbles are bookended by touching interactions
between Faramir and Eowyn (and Eowyn's moving determination to provide
a wonderful Mettare for her new husband). But what most strongly
appeals to me are the brief remembered moments between young Faramir
and his now-lost family. Finduilas and Boromir are delightful, but
Denethor truly shines here: A devoted and loving father, untrammeled
yet by loss and the burdens of fighting the long defeat against
Sauron. These glimpses are short, but deep, and paint a picture far
more complete than you'd think possible via the limited wordcount.
An excellent addition to the invented lore of Tolkien's world - well
done, Tanaqui!
Title: Night Terrors · Author: Gwynnyd · Genres: Drama: Gondor
Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 433
Reviewer: dkpalaska · 2008-11-07 21:22:44
Spoilers!
"Fearful Faramir", indeed!
Gwynnyd rather effortlessly transported me right back to the weeks
after my firstborn arrived: that same sudden fear (they always seem so
fragile!), the trembling check (he's breathing!), the relief followed
by the sense of being more than a little silly to get worked up over
nothing. Such a normal new-parent reaction, and I really enjoyed the
connection I felt to Faramir in this piece.
I loved his "if that nurse did so-and-so" and "if she's sleeping"
litany on his way to check on his son - absolutely realistic, even for
so fair and just a man as Faramir. The writing captures his emotions
and actions very well through truly wonderful descriptions, bringing
me right along to the delightful and entertaining ending where he ends
up waking the very babe he was trying to protect. Nicely done!
Title: The Blessing of the Waters · Author: Raksha the Demon · Genres:
Romance: Other Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 61
Reviewer: stefaniab · 2008-11-08 00:04:14
Sniff, what a beautiful and sad ficlet. Raksha sends us for a brief
time into a well-known gap, that of Elrond and his wife Celebrian.
Raksha's choice of tone and language is poetic and sad, as is
appropriate for the Master of Rivendell as he shares with us memories
of Celebrian. A tear formed in the corner of my eye as I concluded
this one.
Title: What Goes Up · Author: Dana · Times: Late Third Age: Gondor
Drabbles · ID: 683
Reviewer: Elen Kortirion · 2008-11-08 01:18:32
That last line gave me a great big smile! A very nice look at that
scene from the movie trilogy, and an equally entertaining glimpse into
Pippin's thoughts at the time.
Title: The Chieftain of the Dunedain · Author: Avon · Races: Men:
Pre-Ring War Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 623
Reviewer: Elen Kortirion · 2008-11-08 01:24:19
Spoilers!
Elegantly and entertainingly written, this drabble paints a delightful
portrait of Aragorn as a young man at his ease at the campfire with
his companions. But its chief charm is the notion that Halbarad was an
older man, one who had dandled baby Estel at his knee - a novel idea,
since I for one always think of them as being the same age - yet in
the realms of fanon this thought works very well too.
Title: Renewal · Author: Elena Tiriel · Times: Late Third Age: General
Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 208
Reviewer: Elen Kortirion · 2008-11-08 01:34:31
Spoilers!
A really thought provoking example of animism that gives voice to the
great sword of Telcontar. The prose is lyrical and eloquent, and the
well chosen phrases leap off the page like the best poetry, to form
fascinating images that stay in the mind.
Title: The Captain's New Clothes · Author: Raksha the Demon · Genres:
Humor: Other Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 421
Reviewer: Elen Kortirion · 2008-11-08 01:48:09
Spoilers!
A delightful story to explain the awfulness of the clothing in that
picture. For something that is so horrendously au, and not in a good
way! Raksha brings it back into canon in the nicest way possible, with
slight indignity for the wearer, and great good humour.
Gondor Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 292
Reviewer: dkpalaska · 2008-11-07 21:21:58
Spoilers!
I really am in awe of this drabble series (and its partner). Tanaqui
set out to construct a set of astronomically-inspired legends
incorporating Middle-earth history, and each drabble hangs as
perfectly with the others as those tapestries must have in Eowyn and
Faramir's hall. The pure creativity in coming up with so many
different explanations for the different star formations, both in
Tolkien's universe and our own, is matched impeccably by Tanaqui's
awesome drabbling ability and perfectly-managed language.
The storytelling drabbles are bookended by touching interactions
between Faramir and Eowyn (and Eowyn's moving determination to provide
a wonderful Mettare for her new husband). But what most strongly
appeals to me are the brief remembered moments between young Faramir
and his now-lost family. Finduilas and Boromir are delightful, but
Denethor truly shines here: A devoted and loving father, untrammeled
yet by loss and the burdens of fighting the long defeat against
Sauron. These glimpses are short, but deep, and paint a picture far
more complete than you'd think possible via the limited wordcount.
An excellent addition to the invented lore of Tolkien's world - well
done, Tanaqui!
Title: Night Terrors · Author: Gwynnyd · Genres: Drama: Gondor
Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 433
Reviewer: dkpalaska · 2008-11-07 21:22:44
Spoilers!
"Fearful Faramir", indeed!
Gwynnyd rather effortlessly transported me right back to the weeks
after my firstborn arrived: that same sudden fear (they always seem so
fragile!), the trembling check (he's breathing!), the relief followed
by the sense of being more than a little silly to get worked up over
nothing. Such a normal new-parent reaction, and I really enjoyed the
connection I felt to Faramir in this piece.
I loved his "if that nurse did so-and-so" and "if she's sleeping"
litany on his way to check on his son - absolutely realistic, even for
so fair and just a man as Faramir. The writing captures his emotions
and actions very well through truly wonderful descriptions, bringing
me right along to the delightful and entertaining ending where he ends
up waking the very babe he was trying to protect. Nicely done!
Title: The Blessing of the Waters · Author: Raksha the Demon · Genres:
Romance: Other Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 61
Reviewer: stefaniab · 2008-11-08 00:04:14
Sniff, what a beautiful and sad ficlet. Raksha sends us for a brief
time into a well-known gap, that of Elrond and his wife Celebrian.
Raksha's choice of tone and language is poetic and sad, as is
appropriate for the Master of Rivendell as he shares with us memories
of Celebrian. A tear formed in the corner of my eye as I concluded
this one.
Title: What Goes Up · Author: Dana · Times: Late Third Age: Gondor
Drabbles · ID: 683
Reviewer: Elen Kortirion · 2008-11-08 01:18:32
That last line gave me a great big smile! A very nice look at that
scene from the movie trilogy, and an equally entertaining glimpse into
Pippin's thoughts at the time.
Title: The Chieftain of the Dunedain · Author: Avon · Races: Men:
Pre-Ring War Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 623
Reviewer: Elen Kortirion · 2008-11-08 01:24:19
Spoilers!
Elegantly and entertainingly written, this drabble paints a delightful
portrait of Aragorn as a young man at his ease at the campfire with
his companions. But its chief charm is the notion that Halbarad was an
older man, one who had dandled baby Estel at his knee - a novel idea,
since I for one always think of them as being the same age - yet in
the realms of fanon this thought works very well too.
Title: Renewal · Author: Elena Tiriel · Times: Late Third Age: General
Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 208
Reviewer: Elen Kortirion · 2008-11-08 01:34:31
Spoilers!
A really thought provoking example of animism that gives voice to the
great sword of Telcontar. The prose is lyrical and eloquent, and the
well chosen phrases leap off the page like the best poetry, to form
fascinating images that stay in the mind.
Title: The Captain's New Clothes · Author: Raksha the Demon · Genres:
Humor: Other Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 421
Reviewer: Elen Kortirion · 2008-11-08 01:48:09
Spoilers!
A delightful story to explain the awfulness of the clothing in that
picture. For something that is so horrendously au, and not in a good
way! Raksha brings it back into canon in the nicest way possible, with
slight indignity for the wearer, and great good humour.
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