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| Branwyn's Bric-à-Brac by Branwyn | 94 Review(s) |
|---|---|
| Agape4Gondor | Reviewed Chapter: 11 on 11/15/2006 |
| I think I would do that myself - dear Faramir. Author Reply: *huggles Faramir* Thanks so much for reviewing! | |
| Raksha The Demon | Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 11/14/2006 |
| Brrrr. You nail Sauron as he closes his fist around the heart and soul of this unknown, luckless ringbearer and future fashion-impaired deathless minion. The last line is chilling. Author Reply: future fashion-impaired deathless minion Oh, I don't know--black goes with everything and is a classic. Regarding the last line, apparently Sauron and Morgoth were worshipped as gods by Men in the First Age; I am assuming that their worship included human sacrifice as it later did in Numenor. | |
| Raksha The Demon | Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 11/14/2006 |
| Fascinating glimpse into the rituals of a people we don't see much of in Tolkien fanfic - the Ents. The drabble rings very true. Author Reply: Thanks for the kind review! I have to admit that I loved the idea of the ents partying and drinking a little too much. In the book, Fangorn does tell the hobbits that he has to lie down after drinking the entdraft or else it will rise to his head. Sounds like a buzz to me! And can you imagine their drinking songs? | |
| Raksha The Demon | Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 11/14/2006 |
| Subtle and skillful turnabout of the POVs of a house of poor farmers and their unexpected guest. The eternal life of the Eldar is a mixed blessing; and the gulf between the ethereal Elven lady who is losing the sense of time and change, and the hardscrabble lives of the farmers, could not be greater. Still, the courtesy of the farmers, who willingly share their meager fare with the wandering lady, shows a common bond, in kindness and civility, to the timeless wisdom of the Elves. Author Reply: Thanks for your kind review (and thanks for your help hammering this into shape). | |
| Raksha The Demon | Reviewed Chapter: 9 on 11/14/2006 |
| Gandalf referred to himself and Denethor as "two such terrible old men" in his conversation with Pippin, post-grilling by Denethor, in the first chapter of ROTK. Here, Branwyn sketches the two powerful figures butting heads in their worldview and being rather annoying - Gandalf being a bit too cryptic to a ruler of a land threatened by disaster, Denethor being weary and annoyed and not willing to be lessoned by anyone, even a wizard who has seen many lifetimes of Men. Gandalf sees, by character and by necessity, the whole picture, Denethor's vision narrows always to the land he is sworn to protect and he really doesn't care to extend it to encompass other priorities even if he could. Excellent, multi-layered and multi-faceted look at two mighty players in LOTR in a cerebral and verbal confrontation. Author Reply: No, Denethor will not be guided and refuses to consider the larger scheme of things, and in the end, that is his downfall. Yet, I think he is justified in wondering why the other side seems to have more skillful magic-users. As Lord Branwyn is fond of joking, Gandalf would make a fifth-level wizard. :-D Thanks so much for reviewing! | |
| Raksha The Demon | Reviewed Chapter: 11 on 11/14/2006 |
| A wonderful Faramir moment, doing a little renewing of his own with the transplanting of a young linden tree, for the benefit of future weary soldiers and their carefree children. Very typical of the character, and the spirit of the post-Ring War Gondor. Author Reply: My Veteran's Day offering, a little early. :-) At first, I thought of Faramir making Parth Galen into a garden, but this gesture, which could be enjoyed by the people of Minas Tirith, seemed better. I am glad that you liked the drabble, and thanks so much for reviewing. | |
| annmarwalk | Reviewed Chapter: 4 on 6/19/2006 |
| Oh, how deftly you tear out our hearts, with a mere hundred words! I’ve never known anyone who could select words as deadly and precise as arrows, to convey your tale with such stark clarity. Prince Imrahil’s controlled grief is perfectly depicted as his words, Tolkien’s words, belie his rage. Yet you have moved us far beyond what we were given, to Imrahil’s frustration with his brother-in-law, his long- simmering fury over the treatment of the less-favored son. Imrahil is clearly near his own breaking point, but you have marvelously conveyed how Denethor’s cold ivory mask reminds him of the utter need, at this moment, for self-control, for Faramir’s sake, and for Gondor’s. | |
| Linda Hoyland | Reviewed Chapter: 4 on 4/30/2006 |
| I loved this,and the last line is very effective indeed.I admit to feeling exactly the same ! Author Reply: That overwhelming urge to smack Denethor upside the head? I feel that way every time I read that chapter. :-D And, of course, Imrahil does not understand how close Denethor is to going mad or his rage might be tempered by fear for his brother-in-law. Thanks so much for commenting! | |
| annmarwalk | Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 4/30/2006 |
| I really love this, and the message that the small, unsung tasks can be just a vital as the more resplendent (and noticeable) deeds. Author Reply: Thanks so much! Yes, sometimes history turns on whether the small, unsung tasks are done, and even though these two men are no longer fit to be soldiers, they can still help defend their land. | |
| annmarwalk | Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 4/30/2006 |
| Those poor warriors. It's really difficult, isn't it, move forward without some type of charm, amulet, good-luck piece, whether it be a coin or a medal or a sack of walnuts. Yet how painful to meet that barrier that requires the shedding of all baggage, to move unencumbered into the unknown. The miners at Chilkoot Pass in Alaska did it, abandoning their valuables as the bottom to be scavenged by those remaining in the town; even backpackers on the Appalachian Trail do it, when they realize just how much weight is involved in one more paperback, one deck of cards. Author Reply: It is wrenching to put aside these things you have carried from your home. But once you drop the unneeded baggage, how much more quickly you travel! With no tents or camp furnishing, you can use the pack horses for remounts, and you no longer have that sack of walnuts bumping against you and reminding you of your farm. Best not to think about what you have left behind and may never see again. Yes, I did think of the American pioneer women who had to pitch the Limoges and furniture out of the waggons to get over the Rockies. (I would have taken my china and gone back to Boston, LOL!) Thanks for commenting! | |