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The Last Word  by jenolas 3 Review(s)
DotReviewed Chapter: 13 on 4/7/2005
I think Faramir can be forgiven for neglecting the grief of others. It’s certainly not good for him to become so immersed in his brother’s journal and he should really be there for his friends as they suffer too, but I can see why his own grief and need to keep reading this would be too much for him to take on the pain of others’ too.

Merry has such strength and an enviable ability to just keep going. I was so glad to see that he brightened up Faramir’s evening and gave him some relief from the increasing hold his brother has over him. It makes me a little afraid of what he’ll feel when he comes to the end of the journal and there’s no more to read.

In the middle of it all, I had to laugh at the description of Legolas! It always struck me as a rather bizarre moment in the books when he runs off over the snow to find the sun and I love the suggestion here of amused irritation on everyone else’s part.

The increasing difficulty of their journey is coming across very well, as is their exhaustion and the emergence of differing opinions. It sounds like Boromir is being quite forceful in his own beliefs, and suspicions and worries about him are forming in the minds of some of the rest of the Fellowship. His determination to get to Minas Tirith – and the ring with him - is undeniably an obsession now. I thought it was a very frightening image when he sees in the destruction and ruin of Dwarrowdelf the future of his own home.

And it seems the ring continues to use Faramir to influence Boromir. I think I gasped aloud at the line “Rest assured that I will heed your advice and try not to let the others dissuade me from following my brother’s sage counsel”! I don’t know which one of them I feel worse for – Boromir as he continues to be plagued by dark thoughts, yet struggling to do what he thinks is right, or Faramir for being unable to tear himself away from his brother’s struggles, just watching in helplessness and despair. This is excellent, jenolas. You’re doing such a great job :-)


Author Reply: Thank you for your insightful comments, Dot. Faramir is deep into his own grief, but not so far that he cannot enjoy a brief respite with his friends, and who better than Merry to cheer him?

Perhpas Faramir will be able to gain closure after he 'lives' through his brother's anguish, ashe most certainly would have had they been togethher at the end.

The end of their suffering is in sight,

jenolas

LarnerReviewed Chapter: 13 on 4/6/2005
It is a lonely time for Boromir, now being wooed so with lies by the Ring; and for Faramir, awaiting the outcome of the Battle before the Black Gates. I grieve for both.

Author Reply: This is certainly not a ppleasant time in Faramir's life, nor were Boromir's last days.

jenolas

mirthorReviewed Chapter: 13 on 4/5/2005
My but this has to be getting hard for Faramir to read - more desperate as the pages wear on. Clever to consider the Ring using Faramir to get to Boromir. And why should Boromir not believe it? what with the shared dream with his brother, their hints of elvish blood, Faramir's fey abilities. It's no wonder Boromir would consider this, being under the influence of the Ring.

Author Reply: Yes, evil does not need to manifest itself in darkness when using something already well accepted and established, such as the bond between the brothers, will serve the purpose just as well.

thanks for your coments
jenolas

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