News Resources
Login
Become a member
Help
Search |
|
| About Us News Resources
Login
Become a member
Help
Search |
|
|
| Concerning Sam by Kara's Aunty | 73 Review(s) |
|---|---|
| walkerskye | Reviewed Chapter: 13 on 3/12/2010 |
| a very believeable tale. I'm a therapist and I've heard clients voice internal arguements of shame like those of the Ring remnant. and you're right - the only cure to such shame is loving acceptance. very nice work! Author Reply: Hello walkerskye, sorry it's taken so long to reply to your lovely review, but life has been a bit mad recently. Anyway, m'dear, I'm really glad that Concerning Sam has a professional (therapist) seal of approval! I've always suspected that Sam couldn't have gotten off as easily as he appears to in the books after wielding the One Ring. Something so evil would (IMHO) have to have left some sort of mark on our intrepid hobbit gardener, regardless of how deep that mark was hidden. And Sam is just the type of person to dismiss any superficial signs of trouble as 'having an off-day'. *shakes head at stubborn Gamgees everywhere* Writing his internal arguements was fascinating, but rather draining. I had to dig through a whole pile of unresolved issues of my own to better understand what he may have went through (and you can imagine how much fun that was). Still, it was worth it if his struggles against the Ring, and his self-loathing (during his darkest moments) have even the slightest ring of authenticity ;) And thank goodness he had such a tight-knit family - and equally tight circle of close friends -to help him through his trauma. Loved ones really do make all the difference in such circumstances. Thank you very much for your encouraging words. I'm absolutely delighted you enjoyed Sam's fic so much. Thanks for R & R-ing, Kara's Aunty :) | |
| Robinscat | Reviewed Chapter: 13 on 2/8/2010 |
| I read you story in one setting. Out of all the Hobbits, Sam has always been my favorite. Frodo might have been the "Ringbearer" but he would have never accomplished his quest without Sam. I liked the exploration of what the Ring could have done to Sam. I had not considered that Sam would have been tormented in much the same way as Frodo. You explored that possiblility very well. I was a little irritated that Sam used Athelas. I had always felt it was only in the hands of the King that Athelas would work. I was worried that you would make Sam's dependence on Athelas like an additction. But you handled the concept well for your story. The only other thing that niggled at me was there was no mention of Legolas or Gimli being concerned about Sam. Aragorn and Merry made no attempt to contact them to let them know what was happening to Sam. There was only a glancing refernece to Legolas and Faramir. Now, granted, I am a Legolas and Gimli fan from long ago, but it was glarily apparent that they were not included in your story. All in all, a good read. Thank you for sharing your gifts. Author Reply: Hello Robinscat, wow, you read it through in one night? I was about to blush with gratitude when I read that, but then it dawned on me that you must have read this when I reposted the fic yesterday partway through a massive overhaul. Which I haven't finished yet. Which means you were subjected to at least nine chapters of horrific, grammatically-challenged gaucheness ... *cringe* My apologies, m'dear! This was my first ever multi-chapter fic, written a mere month after I'd posted my first two attempts at a one-shot. Don't get me wrong, I loved writing this, but at the time I was still finding my 'author' feet, and now I realise that it does't perhaps 'flow' as well as it should ... So I decided to revamp it. Unfortunately, when I reposted the first chapter live onsite, Javascript moved half the paragraphs around, then italicised, bolded, and underlined massive parts of the rest. I couldn't leave such a mess onsite, so I had to hide each chapter in order to rework it. But that means that if anyone reads it now, it's half-polished, half-mince! *chuckles ruefully* Still, you liked it, and that's cheered me up! Concerning Sam was a labour of love for me. I'd always wondered how the Ring might have affected Sam, and the fic was an attempt to explain that to myself, as much as anyone else. As it was my first LoTR fic, I was unsure about my ability to accurately characterise every member of the Fellowship, so I stuck with those few I was reasonably comfortable, plus a few guest stars. Legolas and Gimli, as much as I would've loved to include them, missed out because I wasn't sure how to tackle them. If it's any consolation, I did write a humorous fic later on, in which they are two of the main characters (A Pony's tale). Now, that isn't a shameless plug (not this time, anyway), it's just an assurance from one Legolas & Gimli fan to another that I would never abandon the lovable duo for long ... As for Sam and athelas, I'm fairly sure that he was adept at using it, having grown it in Bag End's garden specifically for nursing Frodo after the Quest (when Frodo suffered his anniversary illnesses). Well, I hope this mega-reply hasn't sent you off to sleep! I'm really, really glad that you, as a Sam fan, enjoyed the fic (warts and all!). Thanks VERY much for R & R-ing, m'dear! M :) | |
| Candice | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 7/2/2009 |
| Maureen, when I send emails to your ntlword.com address I get a bounce message with an msn.com address saying it's unavailable. Are you getting the emails that I send or, if not, is there another email we should use? Thanks. Candice | |
| FoxRafer | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 6/28/2009 |
| I'm sorry to leave a non-review to your story; but I wanted to cover all the bases in getting in touch with you. My name is Candice (FoxRafer) and I've been assigned as your liaison for the MEFA Awards. Three of your stories ("Concerning Sam," "Hope's Endurance," "Denial") have been nominated, and the deadline for accepting the nominations and completing the forms is close approaching. I'm going to resend the nomination e-mail to your ntlworld address now, but please send me an e-mail (foxrafer@gmail.com) as soon as possible so we can begin the process. Even if you'd rather not compete, let me know so you're nominator, Antane, has time to use these three nominations for other stories. Thanks so much, and congratulations on your nomination. Author Reply: Hello Foxrafer, Oh, my! I'm so honoured (Sends Antane a big kiss)! Sorry I didn't see this before today, but I've been taking a break from the fanfic arena for a month or two & for some reason decided this morning to log on & check my account! Just as well I did, though I hope it's not too late. I won't be able to respond properly to this until I get home from work, but this is just a quick note to let you know I'll check my e-mails as soon as I get home ('cos I've not opened my e-mail account in a while either - disgraceful, eh?). Will write soon... Kara's Aunty :) | |
| GamgeeFest | Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 5/18/2009 |
| Poor Sam. To be taunted so, and to be so worn down that he believes the Ring's lies! Help cannot get to him soon enough. | |
| GamgeeFest | Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 5/18/2009 |
| I like the idea that Gandalf asked Radagast to keep an eye on the remaining Ringbearer. Radagast is in the best position to do so and to call for aid at need. Merry will be comforted to know that Gandalf didn't leave them completely without assistance. It's good that Radagast acted on the news he was receiving so quickly. The twins will be just in time to help Sam. | |
| GamgeeFest | Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 5/18/2009 |
| I think even the most unobservant healer would notice after a time that forced feeding doesn't work, and Tubbit seems to be rather sharp. It isn't like bleeding a patient, when sometimes the patient would get better despite this rather dangerous practice, thus encouraging its continued use. Perhaps we can chalk this up to a momentary lapse of judgment due to exhaustion; we all have them. Speaking of exhaustion, poor Merry really needs to some help in attending to Sam. He should at least try taping Sam's hands to keep him from getting at his bandages so Merry can catch a few winks. But it seems help is coming.... Author Reply: Hi Gamgeefest, Sorry about the delayed response, but I've not been having a break from fanfic for a couple of months (writing it anyway) and have only this morning logged back in. Thanks for your continued reading of this story, I'm glad you enjoy it enough to return to it when you can. Am a bit puzzled by the initial comments, though, as there is a warning note at the top of the chapter... Am glad nonetheless for your feedback, m'dear! Kara's Aunty ;) | |
| GamgeeFest | Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 2/16/2009 |
| Poor Sam! What a horrible dream! For the Ring to have such a hold on his mind so many years later - clearly Sam has had these doubts himself and they are just now beginning to surface. I hope Merry and his friends can help to reassure him! Author Reply: Hello again GamgeeFest, Nasty Ring indeed! Using our beloved Hobbit's memories and insecurities against him. Grr! When I get my hands on it, I'll...I'll...er, probably succumb to its evil sway like the child of Men that I am. Or not. But fortunately for our hero, his equally heroic friend has swooped in to save the day. Or has he? Whatever happens, he will not allow his friend to go down without a fight. You've got to love a good old Brandybuck! Thanks for R & R-ing, M ;) | |
| GamgeeFest | Reviewed Chapter: 4 on 2/16/2009 |
| Back again. Oh, that Merry is wicked to tease the poor cook so. I can just imagine Farlibar's horror when he is told who Merry is. That might just give him an apoplexy! And good of Merry to figure out what is bothering Sam, without Sam's help. Sam can be just as stubborn as Frodo ever was, and he wouldn't admit an more easily about what is bother him. Author Reply: Hello GamgeeFest, how absolutely lovely to have you back! I think this chapter was my first ever attempt at some (very slight) literary humour - much needed as the rest of the fic is a little angsty. And who better to provide a little comic relief than our very own Brandybuck! This chapter was difficult for me at the time; novice writer that I was then, I struggled with pov's a bit and the chapter always seems a bit patchy to me because of that. But, thankfully, it doesn't seem to have marred your enjoyment, so thank you for R & R-ing, m'dear. It's very much appreciated! M ;) | |
| GamgeeFest | Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 1/17/2009 |
| One more chapter before I make breakfast. I adore Arwen's own "plain Hobbit sense" in this chapter. She may not be as close to Sam as Aragorn, but she has the wisdom of her years to guide her and she understands the essence of the hobbit enough to reassure her husband. The Ring is very much an entity, not some mere object. The "It" and "Its" is perfectly understandable and appropriate. I use that myself, as do many others, so you're not alone in this. :D Author Reply: Hello Gamgeefest, so it's early enough for breakfast in your part of the world is it? I'm just debating whether or not to shift my rear and make dinner! I'm also flattered that you'd read two whole chapters of my tale before the most important meal of the day! This was the first LOTR fic I ever wrote, so writing characters I was not as familiar with (non-hobbits) was challenging (still is, actually). But I'm happy that you liked my version of the gracious elven Queen! The Its issue - thanks for the support there! You would not believe the problems I had with that. Writing the Ring as an entity had me torn between using 'Its' or 'It's' for the possessive form. For any other individual (e.g. Sam), we'd naturally write 'Sam's' in the possessive sense - but when I did that initially with the Ring, 'It's' was often confused by my readers with the contraction for 'It is'. So after writing and posting the entire story using 'It's', I finally gave up and changed them all to 'Its', so what you're seeing now is the polished version. Anyway, I've just spouted a whole pile of superfluous nonsense in this reply, so I'll leave you to your cornflakes... M ;) | |