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A Matter of Appearances by Lindelea	8 Review(s)
Larner	Reviewed Chapter: 16 on 8/15/2006
She was listening to his heartbeat, but now is letting the shrouding go on? She's not quite with it yet, is she? Come on, Ferdi--TWITCH! Author Reply: No, she's not quite with it. She was asleep, after all, and thought she was dreaming. Yoo-hoo, Ferdi! Wake up!

demeter d	Reviewed Chapter: 16 on 8/11/2006
Just noticed i reviewed 17 and 18, but not this one yet. Must feed the Muse! Do tell dear EF she should have gotten a position in the Middle Ages as a castle torturer! This plot is getting quite intense. the first part of Ferdi's point of view does sound like he has left his body, died. it sounds very much like several near-death and return-from-death stories i have read. the person feels himself floating in the emergency room, watching the staff trying to revive him. Many describe being pulled, or wanting to follow a light. Many then tell of either having some person send them back, or feeling a compelling reason to go back. Then the point of view shifts, and it seems obvious that he is back in his body again. And Nell is dreaming that she hears his heartbeat. Hmmmm. i do like the way you go in blocks, from scene to scene in the story. it is a very "Tolkien' pattern. in LOTR, he follows one story line for several chapters, leaving the other hanging, as one scholar I saw interviewed once put it, "the people actually in the story have no idea what the other characters are doing right then, either." All in all, an enjoyable form of torture! Author Reply: Oops, missed replying to this. The Muse nods her head in a gracious manner to thank you for the delicious tidbit. EF should probably have had such a position. She has refined my knowledge of such things as medieval punishments and justice(?) through the ages. Rather a hobby of hers. I've read a few near-death interviews, and yes, you're right in recognising the signs. Thanks for the kind word on "writing in blocks". I sometimes wonder how well it's working. It can be difficult to juggle so many individuals and actions all taking place at the same time on the timeline, and figuring how to switch back and forth without confusing anyone (self included!).

Bodkin	Reviewed Chapter: 16 on 8/10/2006
little scene with Ferdi (and Pippin, I think, and/or Merry), in the aftermath, I was going to say that's a relief ... but then I thought suspiciously 'how long after?' Ruthless ... yes. Ruthless in rescuing MFH from a hideous fate. And in retrieving a relatively undamaged Farry. On the other hand, you can be as mean as you like to the villains! They deserve their fate. Author Reply: Yes, well, erm. I may have to seek protection from the Society for Protection of Favourite Hobbits before we come to the end of this tale. You know the sort of thing. Assume another identity. Go into hiding until the resolution of the crisis? EF wishes to know, do you think they'd look for us at Starbucks? She likes their lattes best. I tell her I'm not sure I want to buy her any more lattes if it brings out such savagery on her part. OTOH, she doesn't have to worry. Perhaps there's a sinister reason for her insistence on anonymity. Choose your friends carefully! But have I mentioned what a sucker I am for a happy ending? And how do you define "relatively"? Author Reply: OTOOH, perhaps I'll go to Kobos. I happen to think their coffee superior to Starbucks'. (shhh. don't spill.) Author Reply: EF came to have lunch with us today, and you would not believe the "plot enhancements" she is spinning. Perhaps I ought to go into hiding from her p.s. she sends her best. She says she loves your Elves (yes, EF, I changed it to uppercase E) but she never leaves reviews. Something to do with her suspicion that the public library is tracking everything she does on the Web.

Bodkin	Reviewed Chapter: 16 on 8/10/2006
Oh goodness! Poor Ferdi. And, of course, the twitch of an eyelid or a slight finger movement isn't going to be enough now he's all stitched up in his shroud! He needs to be able to wriggle like a worm (or shout) - before the earth starts pattering down on him. So typical of Ferdi that Farry's need and his own sheer outrage would make him hang on long beyond the point when most would have given up. And Nell is struggling with her own despair and exhaustion - too much so to realise that she was actually listening to Ferdi's heartbeat. What an experience for poor old Ferdi! Author Reply: Um. Yes. Over coffee yesterday EF told me I'm going to have to get ruthless. And here I thought I was doing so well! Er, badly. Er, horrifically. Something to that effect. But you know, this review has sparked a little scene with Ferdi (and Pippin, I think, and/or Merry), in the aftermath, and I really hope that I can fit it in. Thanks!

harrowcat	Reviewed Chapter: 16 on 8/10/2006
Hi Lindelea - still here, just! Thanks for the prompt response and I am so glad that you are getting some writing/typing time. I wasn't doubting your quick posting just moaning that I might have to miss reading time! Will pass on your best wishes to Mum. It gives her a lift and she gets quite moved by the thought that people she doesn't know care enough to think about her. So, many thanks to you and Larner and a few others. My parents, and dog, live in Warwickshire and in a little village out beyond the street-lights. I enjoy going home to be surrounded by green as I live in a small bed-sit in London and have no access to a garden. Am out and about during the Summer break. Am enjoying it but miss my reading time. Happy Summer! Author Reply: I hope I didn't make you late! I wasn't going to post that chapter until the morning, but since you were heading out of town I thought I'd give you something to go on. A little village out beyond the street-lights, surrounded by green. How lovely it sounds.

harrowcat	Reviewed Chapter: 16 on 8/10/2006
Oh Lindelea - I knew it. You actually had me convinced that he was dead by the beginning of this chapter except of course that he couldn't be. Then I knew that hearing his heart and breath was not a dream and I wanted to shout it out. Just as well I live alone because I am bouncing up and down in frustration on Ferdi's behalf! Pleeeese don't keep us waiting. I know you won't but, I've just realized that I am off to Shire Country to look after Mum today until Saturday and that is out of internet range! Oh how will I wait???!? Author Reply: I happened to be typing in the next chapter when I got this, so I thought I'd answer you quickly. Shire country, really? If it is the same place we passed through, on holiday, it is a lovely place indeed and I envy you! As far as keeping people waiting, I'm trying to type in and add a chapter a day, so long as I have the writing time. (I don't always, but we're taking a little bit of a break this week and next.) So let's see, how many chapters will you have, when you come back, to catch up on? Think of it as a lovely surprise package. (at least, I hope that's a reasonable analogy) And really, the next chapter (the one I'm typing in) goes a little back on the timeline, a few hours before dawn, because I didn't plan well I suppose, and then the story must move forward again to catch up to where Ferdi was when we last saw him. So Saturday's chapter may very well be the one where we pick up the thread of his tale! (or not, as it depends on how long the chapters run and if they split themselves. But think good thoughts.) Anyhow, have a lovely time, and say hi to Mum for me though she won't know me from a hole in the ground, probably. (Hey, Mum, some loony author told me to say hi to you!)(Or would that be barmy? I'm tired and I'm starting to mix my idioms.) Author Reply: p.s. you're right, the heartbeat and breathing are not a dream! (Have been in that brainless state that Nell is experiencing at the moment. We call it "Mommy Brain" and it is due in great part to sleep deprivation. Newborns eat round the clock, and don't seem to know that night is for sleep!

Pearl Took	Reviewed Chapter: 16 on 8/9/2006
Oh my! This was wonderful in a dark way. One would almost think you had been through such an experience. Whew! Move, Ferdi, move!!!!! Twitch. Blink. Gasp. Anything!!! Author Reply: No, I was just deeply moved by an account I read once, of a coma victim interviewed after awakening. Aware of everything around, sight, sound, smell, the feel of a hand, but unable to move a muscle, not even a twitch or blink. Completely helpless, and dependent on others. Hearing every word of nearby conversation. Knowing what was happening, and yet unable to respond. And then, suddenly, without warning--movement returned, and speech. An astonishing story, and sobering too, when one considers the implications. Poor Ferdi, I'm sure he would love to move, if he could! If only editor-friend would relent. I told her to go and watch a horror movie, but will she listen? I ask you.

Dreamflower	Reviewed Chapter: 16 on 8/9/2006
Oh dear! He's waking up at last! Poor Ferdi! And in the midst of all that angst, you had to make me go and giggle with his thought about getting dressed the night before for a breakfast feast!! Well, at least he's finally waking up! Author Reply: The horror of it is that he's actually been awake, and though he was briefly out of his body (precipitated by the pain of Tolly's tripping on his head and falling on him), he was soon back in his body and for the most part aware of his surroundings, though unable to respond, and also not thinking clearly part of the time. I read an interview with a former coma victim once, and was deeply impressed by the account. What Ferdi experiences--being able to perceive through all his senses, though unable to respond--is drawn from my memory of that reading. So it is possible that he could be lowered into the grave and buried, knowing what is happening to him, yet unable to lift a finger to prevent it. Some people go in for that kind of horror. It really isn't my cup of tea, but as I said, I'm stretching myself with this story. Author Reply: p.s. sometimes we find humour in the middle of angst. My mom used to say, "Sometimes you have to laugh to keep from crying..."

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