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No Harm Will Come of It  by MarigoldG 12 Review(s)
ElemmírëReviewed Chapter: 1 on 7/6/2007
I know I'm rather late in leaving you a review for this, but hey! Better late, then never!

I just wanted to let you know how very much I loved this tale! I linked it to my favorites and it is indeed now my favorite of all your works. That was such a neat concept to have the Gaffer come full circle, as it were, in regards to being literate. It was so very touching to read the descriptive of the Gaffer refusing to burn Sam's treasured books in order for warmth. How he'd rather suffer the cold than to burn away the last remaining vestiges of his youngest son. That was my favorite scene, besides him puzzling the words out in the books because there was simply nothing else for him to do. I hope he was able to take refuge in the timeless tales of the Elves.

I also liked how you had Marigold being taken away by Thain Paladin to stay with the Tooks within the protected borders of the Great Smials, in order to keep her safe. Paladin, having three daughters of his own, would have been only too keenly aware of Lotho's less than desireable nature and it was nice of him to offer her protection. And Lotho desiring to marry Pearl in order to gain the Thainship!! UGH!!!!

And I utterly adored the ending. How very surprised all the hobbits must have been, but most especially Frodo and Sam. They must have been so very proud of the dear old Gaffer. I find myself wondering if Frodo lent him any books or if he or Sam gave further reading lessons to him? Did he perhaps learn how to write next?

~Elemmírë~

LarnerReviewed Chapter: 1 on 6/18/2007
That mite of learning turned into a good bit, a good bit indeed! And these vignettes have combined into quite the tale. Am very glad to have read it!

PeriantariReviewed Chapter: 1 on 6/17/2007
Ooooo Marigold! These are wonderful! I love the glimpses to when Sam was learning to read and what the Gaffer thought of it.
The one about Sam not being able to write letters from Crickhollow and the one about the things being burnt and the Gaffer fearing that he'll have nothing left of his son just were very very poignant and the last lines were written oh so well! I also enjoyed the first three for it was cute to read about Sam just learning how read. What a wonderful theme you've pieced together here-- i'm glad that you posted. :)

Author Reply: Thank you Periantari! I am really pleased that you liked these! I hadn't seen a theme like this before and I was intrigued by the possibilities. I couldn't imagine anyone, even the Gaffer, being exposed to reading and having the chance to learn not somehow being drawn to learning. Thanks so much for your lovely review!

BMReviewed Chapter: 1 on 6/17/2007
I really enjoyed this little story! Thanks for sharing it! (and I like seeing that the old Gaffer was every bit as sharp as his son :D )

Author Reply: Thanks BM I am so glad that you liked my drabbles! Sam had to get his sharp mind from somewhere after all!

lbiloverReviewed Chapter: 1 on 6/17/2007
This is so very moving, but especially the part where the Gaffer won't burn Sam's books because they are the last tie with his son. That made me tear up. I love the hopefulness of the ending and the Gaffer's pride in surprising everyone by being able to read the letter. Really lovely, Marigold. Thank you.

Author Reply: Thanks lbilover! I think that in his mind burning Sam's books would have been tantamount to accepting that Sam was dead. Ham really did surprise them all at the end, didn't he! I can just see their faces : )

I am so glad that you liked these!

shireboundReviewed Chapter: 1 on 6/17/2007
What a lovely series. I especially appreciate that Hamfast wouldn't burn Sam's books, no matter how practical an act it might be. They were books Sam loved, and they were... part of Sam.

Author Reply: Exactly, they were part of Sam, and I think that by learning to read them Hamfast was trying to feel closer to his son, though he didn't realise it : )

Thanks for reviewing Shirebound!

PIppinfan1988Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 6/17/2007
Most excellent! I do love your Hamfast; so simple and practical, and absolutely dotes on his children.

Bad enough worrying about that Lotho near his Marigold, let alone having evil foreigners about. The Thain understood. T'was good of him to offer Marigold a place. She’d be safe.

Now, *this* is something I'd like to read more about... :-)



Author Reply: Thanks T! He really does dote on them, though he pretends to be a grouch : )

Hopefully I can write more at some point about Marigold's adventures through all of this. I do have it plotted out (like so many other stories I have no time to actually write). She ends up far from the Smials before too long!

GoldenReviewed Chapter: 1 on 6/17/2007
What a nice little story. Enjoyed reading it very much. The gaffer really comes across as a likeable fellow, that typical old a bit grumbly bear sort of guy, with a soft heart.

Author Reply: Thanks Golden, that's just how I see the Gaffer too. All bark and no bite : )

harrowcatReviewed Chapter: 1 on 6/17/2007
Sly old ....Ham! Especially loved that last bit. The Gaffer does so remind me of my own Dad.

Author Reply: Thanks Harrowcat! I'm glad that you especially liked the last bit. I could just see the Gaffer, enjoying being the centre of attention after being isolated for so long. I'm glad that he reminded you of someone 'real' - that's a wonderful compliment : )

Grey WondererReviewed Chapter: 1 on 6/17/2007
So Bilbo's teaching benefited Sam's entire family in some way or another. That was excellent! I love the way Hamfast actually teaches himself to read a bit with his dear Sam's books. I was so relieved when he didn't burn them. This is lovely! As I have said before, you really should write more, you know.

Author Reply: It really did, and I'll bet that Bilbo knew that it would! I could just picture Hamfast doing his 'secret' reading in his little shack and I'll bet he hid the books well down in his barrow as he left No 3, so they wouldn't get taken from him, protecting his Sam's treasures. I can't imagine having to burn a book - I think that I would rather freeze : )

Thank you, and I wish that I could : )

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