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| Promise and Sorrow by Virtuella | 27 Review(s) |
|---|---|
| Tink | Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 7/20/2008 |
| This choked me up, but in a good way, if that's possible. During wars, so many are sacrificed. This was a good reminder of that, that the families of soldiers and civilians suffer too. Even when the wars are "won". | |
| Tink | Reviewed Chapter: 4 on 7/20/2008 |
| I was glad that this young man intended to go back to his trade as a blacksmith. Just like Sam Gamgee went back to being a gardener (mostly). They are able to leave this war behind, and all the terrors that went with it, and resume their lives for their children's sake. Wonderful writing. | |
| Tink | Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 7/20/2008 |
| These stories were very realistic in showing the hardship and suffering that was caused by Sauron and his "henchmen" all over Middle Earth. Also, even though the war was won, there is as much pain and suffering after while everything heals. | |
| Tink | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 7/20/2008 |
| I like how, even though they had a small celebration, they had so much happiness. I thought that may have been what kept this soldier going, he didn't want to miss the sister's wedding; come orcs, Sauron, or the blowing up of Mt. Doom. | |
| Tink | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 7/20/2008 |
| This was so realistic, the mother's obsessive thoughts about the shoes show me how hard this has hit her. She is glad to have him back, although missing a leg; but knows how much it is hurting him because he probably doesn't see a future now. | |
| Kitt Otter | Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 7/20/2008 |
| Well, in the fifth chapter I was surprised by the end; yes, very sad, but ironic that the soldir lived and the healer died. This one was perfect as an ending to itself and the rest: "The world will heal." And we got to see the one who tended the Rohan lad from before. Wonderful weaving between sorrow and hope, showing us what the "unknowns" felt. -Kitt :) Author Reply: Thanks for all your comments. I was hoping that the last chapter led to a satisfactory ending, so I'm glad it worked like that for you. | |
| Kitt Otter | Reviewed Chapter: 4 on 7/20/2008 |
| I breathed a sigh of relief for the speaker in this chapter when he came home to an unscathed home. The previous I loved for the details of the eldest's life on the farm, that it must go on. Still beautiful writing! Kitt | |
| Episcopal Witch | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 7/19/2008 |
| Just stunning. It took me only a few minutes to read your story, but I had tears in my eyes by the end. So simple, and the simplicity is part of what makes it so powerful. You did catch me in a personal place--the older of my two sons just turned 18, and just got his driver's license so he's riding out proudly, and while I was doing deep cleanup recently I found a pair of little shoes with the imprints of little feet still in them....But also, because the story hit me so personally I can attest that you hit the mother's voice spang on. The memories of her son's lifetime wrapped up in the intimate physical objects...the vivid flashbacks of tickling the little boy's toes--we mommies do love our babies' toes! (what happened to the dad, I wonder? it sounds like he's gone--but you're right not to tell us)...and the way the mother's thoughts go round and round and round fixating on the trivia of what to do with the shoes, as she tries to handle both her grief and her relief that her son came back. What a wallop!!! Author Reply: Thanks for your comments. I'm sorry this monologue affected you so much personally - I hope you'll find some of the others less upsetting! | |
| Linda Hoyland | Reviewed Chapter: 4 on 7/19/2008 |
| It is great to see these lovely stories here. Welcome to SOA! Author Reply: You're always kind, Linda. ;-) | |
| daw the minstrel | Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 7/19/2008 |
| Very nice reversal at the end. Touching details. Author Reply: Thanks for all your comments, it's nice to have such attentive readers! | |