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| Twice Blessed by MJ | 48 Review(s) |
|---|---|
| FantasyFan | Reviewed Chapter: 4 on 12/13/2010 |
| As I began to read this, it came to me that the last youngster that Olórin probably had a lot of contact with would have been Pippin. I don't know if that would be good preparation, or a bad thing! ;) I wonder how many birds Nienna is trying to hit with one stone here. So far, we have the tasks of distracting Olórin from his thoughts, helping Lére and Melui come to terms with their new lives, bending the stiff neck of Lindarinë and bringing him some peace, and now Aránayel is involved as well. I wonder how many awkward conversations you can put in one local before it all becomes counterproductive? (At least they weren't serious about adding the redemption of Fëanor to the mix!) Well, it will be an interesting trip home. Author Reply: Yes, interesting as in, "May you live in interesting times." Perhaps Nienna is counting on the success of a scattershot approach — in which case, experience with a child like Pippin might actually be excellent preparation, don't you think? :D | |
| FantasyFan | Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 12/13/2010 |
| I love the description on Nienna's home and country. It reminds me of descriptions of the high Scottish moors. Quiet and desolation, the absence of business and distraction, are the perfect place for reflection, retreat and contemplation. And with acceptance of the bleakness, beauty is revealed. It is an aspect of Eru not often appreciated: God is sometimes most obvious in the powerlessness of those who have nowhere else to turn. I'd love to spend some time there myself. Contrast to this the description of the Void: a nothinglessness that brings madness. Olórin went there when he died, but not by choice. That Morgoth repeatedly sought out that place where there are no connections to life, to others, to creation describes a defect in his character, a fundamental pride that he didn't need those connections, and his huberis was his downfall. I agree that Olórin is missing that essential pridefullness, unless he has fallen into the trap of one who is proud of his own humility, but I don't think so. His estrangement with Manwe must have some other root. We will wait with him to discover what it is. I am liking Helyanwë. She seems like she could be a good friend to Olórin. Perceptive, caring, discrete, able to listen to advice as well as to give it: I'm looking forward to seeing more of her. Author Reply: Very astute observation, there — I definitely had images from my one visit to Scotland (nearly 40 years old) in mind when I was thinking of the regions around Nienna's house. All of my most profoundly spiritual moments have come when I was alone, out in nature, and often at bleak times of year. In quiet and solitude, I think, come the moments when we hear the Music most clearly. I'm glad you're liking Helyanwë. I always agonize over the introduction of new characters, because I know there are fans out there who want to see nothing but their favorite canon characters (and for me, that limits the palette too greatly, especially in a longer work). The sound you hear is me breathing a sigh of relief! ;) | |
| Larner | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 12/11/2010 |
| A good resolution to the problem of the electively mute children. Now--to see what comes next! Author Reply: We shall see, we shall see.... | |
| Larner | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 12/11/2010 |
| It is hard to forgive and to mean it, I know from personal experience. I hope it comes to Olorin soon, however. Author Reply: I think that this must be one of the most universal human experiences, the difficulty in finding forgiveness in one's heart -- and Olorin's just spent quite a while being human. How "soon" he finds it... well, that depends on how one defines the word, doesn't it?;) Thanks for the review! | |
| curiouswombat | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 12/10/2010 |
| How good to see more in this 'verse. I look forward with interest to both Olorin's quest and Frodo's time alone. Author Reply: Hmm, there's going to be a bit more of Olorin's quest than of Frodo's time alone (big surprise, with me | |
| FantasyFan | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 12/9/2010 |
| More talk of forgiveness here. Ványalos's apology is more sincere than Olórin has heard before, and what is different is that more information and personal experience has led Vanyalos to more understanding. Also on the theme of forgiveness, Manwe will not allow the release from Mandos of those who do not understand and sincerely repent of their errors. It seems these three things are indivisibly linked: understanding, repentance and forgiveness need to be present for the restoration of right relationships. We'll see if Olórin's service to two lost elflings can shed any insight onto his own problems. Personally, I have always found that the best way to minimize my own distress (real or imagined) is to focus my energies outside myself. Would be nice if this worked for Olórin too. Author Reply: Well, it worked for Frodo in the previous story, so we will just have to see how well it works for Olórin! ;) | |
| FantasyFan | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 12/9/2010 |
| They say that if foregiveness isn't easy, it's not true forgiveness, which seems to be happening here. Of course, we're only getting one side of things here, Frodo's understanding of Olorin's words, but I wonder at the fact that the estrangement goes both ways: Manwe is also not communicating with Olorin. Perhaps he is giving him time to work things out for himself, but I would thing he would also be trying to make further amends. Foregiveness need not always be tied to repentance on the part of the person who needs the foregiveness, but it does make it easier. Perhaps Olorin can't forgive, because he is still afraid, deep down, of being betrayed in the same way again? Anyway, I love your descriptions of the work in the garden and of the homey tasks interspersed with the weighty conversation. It lightens the scene and reminds me of the humble natures of these beloved characters. Author Reply: I'm glad you're enjoying so far, FF (because I am desperately hoping that this will break the block that set in when my Dad died and let me finish this! | |
| Erulisse (one L) | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 12/9/2010 |
| MJ - What a delight to have you writing and posting here again. And, as usual, you are continuing your usual excellent quality tale into another chapter of the continuing lives of Frodo and Olorin. The new character of Helyanwe is very interesting. I can see that she and Olorin would make a good team. And I look forward to understanding Nienna more - her role is always rather amorphous and hard to pin down, yet so very important. I look forward to more chapters in this as extra holiday gifts as we approach Solstice, and I thank you. - Erulisse (one L) Author Reply: You're welcome, Erulisse. I'm doing revisions to the story before posting it (I started writing it 8 years ago, and it's been gathering dust from the block for 5), so the chapters may come a bit more slowly, but there are indeed more coming before the holidays. And Nienna will make her appearance in the next, so stay tuned. And thanks for the review! | |