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Distractions  by GamgeeFest 6 Review(s)
Grey WondererReviewed Chapter: 8 on 5/5/2009
OK, loved the jokes and puns. More of those please. hehehe

And for a bit there I was feeling almost as hot as Frodo was. That was a very excellent description you had going there.

I also thought the underlying meaning of being drawn into something without control was such an interesting contrast. The discussion of the music was casual and innocent but it hit a nerve with Frodo in a way few would notice.

I do hope Pippin keeps his hands in his pockets and that Sam's prediction about the women being nearly naked doesn't cause a riot.



Author Reply: I'm all punned out. I can only take so many of those! lol!

Frodo is, unfortunately, reminded of his ordeals by the slightest of suggestions, and this one was more meaningful than the bards could have guessed. He knows far too well what it feels like to be drawn into something against his will, but he will discover that this experience is quite different.

Well, you know already what happened there! ;)

cookiefleckReviewed Chapter: 8 on 4/30/2009
Great writing in this chapter, the way you wove it all together. The sensory experiences, the humor, the descriptive imagery. A feast for your readers.

Author Reply: Thank you, cookie! It was difficult to split this chapter into two, but necessary for length. The performance will be beyond anyone's imagings, and that's just the beginning. ;)

AndreaReviewed Chapter: 8 on 4/30/2009
Well, I think Shirebound described the situation perfectly by calling it a "cross-cultural experience"!

The audience is simply overwhelmed by new sensations - smells, colours, language - and among all those foreign feelings - Gondorian voices! That was a surprise! How did those Gondorians came to be translators, I wonder? I'm sure there is another interesting story to tell.

Frodo is having a difficult time in the Hall of Feasts, for all those seemingly "new" sensations remind him of his past. But he's not alone. His friends will always be there to help him!

So, let the show begin and let's hope that neither the men, nor the women will be driven away by it ;-)

Author Reply: Indeed it is! There are many misconceptions and prejudices on both sides, and they have much to learn about each other.

They might think they're overwhelmed already - but they haven't seen anything yet. ;) That translator was a surprise for me as well. I'm not quite sure yet what is going to happen to him. We'll find out together.

Frodo's time won't be made easier as the night progress, though he might discover it isn't so bad as it seems either. And he has many more friends than he is aware of here, willing to help him in any way they can.

LarnerReviewed Chapter: 8 on 4/30/2009
Loved the allusions to the rarebit dreams!

Some problems with homonyms. Descriptions are delightful, and the consideration of the man's hook for a hand is well done.

Poor Frodo--so hot and uncomfortable! I do feel for him. Love how Sam is doing his best to keep him centered and grounded. Wonderful!

Author Reply: Sam might well be more worried about those dreams by the time the night is over!

Wulf loves the puns. Thank goodness he was stopped before it could get out of hand. ;) We'll find out more about the translator's hook in a couple more chapters.

Poor Frodo! He, and the others I'm sure, would have been more than happy to rip off his overjacket and probably even his waistcoat too, but proper is as proper does. ;) Sam is trying, bless him.

DreamflowerReviewed Chapter: 8 on 4/30/2009
Now *this* chapter is very intriguing-- and looks to be far more sinister than a simple prank war! Good heavens! The translators? Fascinating! And poor Frodo needing to be distracted *very* badly at this point in time... I sure hope *he* is able to keep his hands in his pockets!

Wulf is a hoot! Don't we all know someone incorrigible like that.

And I really look forward to the hobbit reactions to exotic dancers--especially Pippin and Sam!

As usual you leave me wanting more.



Author Reply: I knew from the start that the pranks were just one teeny part of this story, but it's grown much more complicated than I expected. Those translators snuck up on me too! Not quite sure yet what's going to happen with them. The hobbits are going to experience a lot tonight they haven't experienced before. ;)

Wulf is incorrigible. It's easy to see why he and Merry became such good friends. ;)

shireboundReviewed Chapter: 8 on 4/30/2009
Poor Frodo, feeling roasted! But I love how Sam always knows what he's thinking, and what he needs.

This is quite the cross-cultural experience for all of them.

Author Reply: And no air conditioning either! I've been in his shoes... er, his place! ;P Sam is always sure to take care of his master.

They all have things they need to learn about each other, and prejudices to break.

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