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| A Small and Passing Thing by Lindelea | 2 Review(s) |
|---|---|
| Larner | Reviewed Chapter: 53 on 4/23/2023 |
| This is just what Freddy needs just now, I'd say. | |
| FantasyFan | Reviewed Chapter: 53 on 10/28/2003 |
| Re: the previous chapter: Raven says she hopes Pippin does put a frog in Merry's bed. Would serve him right. Freddy is really a charismatic character. Despite the fact that he's performing for his parents, he does seem to have settled in to Bag End and is enjoying hosting his guests from the grand Smial. I imagine Bag End is every bit as luxurious as Budge Hall, if not more so, and the service can't be faulted even by the Bolgers, used to many servants. Freddy's wit seems to have lost the sharp edge of his youth: less biting, but ever so gently charming. I like him. And yet, it seems Freddy has nearly talked himself into an early grave. Anyone with a chronic health condition can feel discouraged at a lack of progress, but in this case Freddy has real reason to think he will never improve. There's got to be a balance between physical and mental healing here. Frodo has taught Merry to fight the darkness, and Freddy has the idea, but he's coming up against the same type of thing Frodo has to deal with - a physical wound that does not heal. Fortunately for Freddy, he has a chance with medication, rest and exercise (but nobody's yet found a antidote for the witch king, curse him.) I wonder if Freddy's previous weight has contributed to his heart disease. Hobbits seem to carry a few extra pounds without too much trouble, but I always wondered how much it affected Merry's father, for instance. Odo has nixed the idea of Freddy marrying, at least for now, so Frodo thinks the next best thing to keep him occupied is beta-reading his story. Frodo really needs to get out more. (LOL) Speaking of Frodo, I haven't caught any hints yet of the health condition you mentioned. As is fairly appropriate to this time of the story, at least judging by Jewels, he seems relatively healthy and happy. I'm curious to see what you've cooked up for him. As an aside, I am familiar with Hospice, which is an excellent program. My father-in-law was under hospice care for almost exactly six months before he died, and their help was invaluable to us while we cared for him. Much more often, however, I have heard of a person living only a few days or a week after hospice is finally called in. We have such a fear of death in our culture, and the medical profession is not exempt from it, that it sometimes blinds us to the compassion that is possible and welcome in end-of-life times. And by the way, I do get your second replies as separate e-mails. What is nice about the reply feature is that it always quotes my review so that I am oriented to what you are replying to (very necessary with your frequent chapter updates). | |