Reviews of Absence of Reasoning

MysteriousWays · 27 April 2004 · Chapter 11: Going Home

PippinFan, Dearest, it is because you are my friend that I feel I must tell you in this very public way that you, dear, are a cruel and sadistic person. I have read two of your stories now eluding to this big deal with Saradoc and I still do not know what the heck it was he DID!!! ANd blast it all you are such a good writer that I can't stop reading even afer all of this frustration. I am going to go and get my apple martini, relax then start in on another story hopint that the next one I will find out what, in Middle Earth, is going on. Oh, and cheers to you! I am really truly loving this story. You obviously have a most sensative of hearts and here you are sharing it for all the world to see. You are a grand lass! Mys-

Author's reply

Hehehe. Sorry (somewhat). After much thought, I came up with the same conclusion as you--for the reader, that is. That is why I wrote When Your Heart is Breaking. It explains a lot. Thank you for reading and taking the time to review--not many folks do. Sad. It's what feeds our muse, wouldn't you say? Mmmmmm. Apple martini...what is it? I've always wanted to taste the one with the olive in it because I like olives. I like apples, too. Take care, Pippinfan

MysteriousWays · 27 April 2004 · Chapter 7: The Business of Family

"Rather odd note : About the hair-thing; I based this on a real situation. My mother left me (6 yrs) and my sister (8 yrs) alone with our father to go to some ladies’ type function....we wanted to play Barber and I couldn’t see the need to pretend--after all, the barber shears weren’t plugged in! For years I thought I was rather odd in this case, but a few months after I wrote this story for ff.net, a co-worker’s six-year-old daughter did the exact same thing. Yes! I feel vindicated now!" I cut my own hair, I am proud to say. I was all of five at the time. I used schissors and just whacked a big chunk off the side. I had long hair at the time so it was most noticable. I have heard and seen of so many kids doing this so I don't think it odd at all. It was a perfect funny detail to add!!! Mys- Hair now cared for by qualified professionals.

Author's reply

Yes, well my hair is cared for by professionals these days; whether they're qualified or not remains to be seen! It's nice to hear the testimonies of others who shared my love of Barber shears! I must ask; did you have bald dolls? I did. I had one named Rosebud(keep that name in mind!) whose hair was swept up into a bun--but after just one day with me, she looked like a Fransican Monk! I can't explain it, but at the tender age of six, I thought for sure her hair would grow back. Take care, Pippinfan

MysteriousWays · 27 April 2004 · Chapter 5: Life's Choices

"Paladin couldn’t deny that. He loved his own children more than life itself, and his nieces and nephews weren‘t far behind. " I know this feeling well. So must you. I have to ask, am i ever going to hear what was said in the big fight? So far I really love this story, I can feel all of the underlying tension and Esmeralda's heart break and worry. It is lovely. Mys

Author's reply

Thank you Myst! It always puts a spring in my step when a fantastic writer encourages me. Yes, you can always find out what was said in Merry's hearing by reading, "When Your Heart is Breaking". Merry is a little older, not so easily put off, and full of anger. Thanks for taking the time to review! Pippinfan Author Reply: Oops--forgot to tell you; When Your Heart is Breaking is only available at fanfiction.net. I have not scrubbed that one, so what you read, is what your get! Oh! I rhymed! PF

Pervinca · 29 February 2004 · Chapter 11: Going Home

Lovely ending. To be honest, I didn't find this all that angsty, probably because of the wonderful love development between Merry and Paladin. At least Merry had people who *do* care so much about him, even if his father doesn't. Now, you'd better get started on that story with the Pervinca sub-plot - I'm dying to know who you've paired her (or should I say, me) with!

Author's reply

You are a sweet lady, Pervinca! I'm apologize for taking this long to reply. I can't get too angsty in my stories when it comes to this particular plot; after all--who couldn't like Merry? Of course, besides his father--and even then I've written it so that is not really the case. Merry doesn't have to search for a 'surrogate' to fill in the void of his father. Instead, those who love him dearly jump in and take over. "It takes a village..." btw...the story is pretty much done. Again, Pearl's helped me a some of it, and so I will be posting it this week. I think your pairing with Everard in your story is great--he's a cool hobbit--but I have other plans for you, my lass! I wouldn't worry about the 'cousin' thing; have you noticed the distance (or lack thereof) between Saradoc and Esmeralda??? Take care, Pervinca, and have a great week. Pippinfan *YEAY!!!* Clean Sweep for ROTK!!

Pervinca · 28 February 2004 · Chapter 8: Tending the Downtrodden

This story is so beautiful. Little Merry is simply adorable, and I was almost crying at how horribly Saradoc had been treating him. Your later stories hint at how bad it might have been for Merry, but reading it makes everything so real! Good thing you've given him his dear Uncle to care for him. It certainly makes a good foundation for Merry and Pippin's friendship.

Anso · 27 February 2004 · Chapter 6: A Mother's View

I think I actually liked the former version best, but I understand that you took away the pony part as that maybe was a bit... forced? (Here comes me not having English as a nateive tounge in, I don`t always find the right words). But this was a really good chapter none the less. I think I liked both Essie and Paladin`s approaches to Merry better with the other version, because I think that with this version you suggest conversations that comes more clearly out in the other version. That goes ezpecially for Paladin, as it concerns his actions further on. I won`t say more so as to not spoil things for other readers... :)

Author's reply

Thank you, Anso, for all your encouragement and feedback. I sent you an email asking you to clarify which chapter felt forced; the old, or the new? I thank you for the feedback because it helps me figure out which is more enjoyable to read. For the benefit of others, I took did take out the pony story and replaced it with what I thought was a more direct conversation. Is this too direct? Should I revisit the Pony story? Thank you again, Anso! I'll be visiting your little library soon! Pippinfan

Anso · 27 February 2004 · Chapter 5: Life's Choices

That should have been Pimpernel in the last review, not Pervinca. I really like your Paladin, he is such a loving hobbit! Pip will have a very good father. Off to next.

Author's reply

Thank you again, Anso! I like my Paladin, too. I purposely characterize him as a loving father. Where else would Pippin learn love? And in spite of his own father, Merry learns this as well through his mother and Uncle Paladin--in *my* universe! Thanks! Pippinfan

Anso · 27 February 2004 · Chapter 4: The First Day

I love this scene between Merry and his mum! And poor little thing... Pervince is a nice lass, and takes good care of him though. Off to next chapter.

Author's reply

Thank you, Anso! I hoped that Pimpernel (I knew who you meant!) would be well received. Thanks! Pippinfan

Esamen · 27 February 2004 · Chapter 3: Waiting in the Dark

Oh, this is delightful! You know, I feel the same way about that quote that you highlighted, the one of Merry's about Theoden. I always had that little thought, "Where did that come from?" when I read it. This is a marvelous way of taking that little tingle of a question and turning it into a great read. I just want to say, this is great, and you are an awesome writer. All the dialogue, all the action, all the angsty moments and funny scenes . . . this is really a gift! Thanks for all your hard work! Keep it coming!

Author's reply

Wow...I'm humbled...and blushing. All I can say to that right now is thank you; and thanks to Pearl Took. It's been a year of growth, and she's helped me quite a bit--and I still have far to go. Reviews like this one make all the sweat worthwile. *You* are an awesome writer yourself! I'm really enjoying "Boromir in Rivendell"--I'll be checking out your latest update. I'm glad someone else saw that bit about 'like a father'; not many do, or agree with my assessment of it. There are a thousand ways to tell a story, and if you should decide to explore that question you had, I'll be here waiting to read the results! Thank you for your encouraging review! Take care. Pippinfan

Grey Wonderer · 27 February 2004 · Chapter 3: Waiting in the Dark

Very nice punch! I like a woman that can hold her own with a drunk!

Author's reply

I wanted to show that while she now lived in Buckland, she was still all Took! :-) Thanks again for reviewing. Aren't you supposed to be working on another great story for me to read???

Grey Wonderer · 27 February 2004 · Chapter 2: Hasty Plans

Having read your others and knowing how close Merry is to his uncle, I had to laugh when I read that he didn't want to go. At this point, Frodo is a better parent than Esmeralda isn't he? He knows Merry so well! I only wish Frodo were going with Merry.

Author's reply

I'm so glad you noticed that! Irony was the idea of Merry not wanting to go, because, yes, he and Paladin end up very close. Esmeralda is doing the best she can at the moment--with the help of Frodo. Perhaps that's why Merry was so torn when he left...hmmm smelling a plot bunny! Esmeralda is in between the whole mess; she loves her husband, but Merry must come first right now. Her plan is to remove Merry from a destructive situation so she can properly deal with it. Thanks for reviewing! Pippinfan (sorry--didn't sign off on the other one, did I?)

Grey Wonderer · 27 February 2004 · Chapter 1: Secret Hurts

Love Frodo and Merry together and this is off to a really great start. I look forward to reading this one. Little Merry is so cute!

Author's reply

Thanks, Grey Wonderer! I like Frodo and Merry together as well. I really should write more about him! Frodo does make another cameo later in the story.

Pervinca · 27 February 2004 · Chapter 3: Waiting in the Dark

I believe I started reading this a while ago, but never got around to finishing (I tend to do that :P). The angst so far is very well balanced by humourous moments, such as Esmeralda belting Ferdinand in the nose! Looking forward to reading more of this, especially if you ever come to where Frodo leaves Buckland (and this time I won't cheat and read the ff.net version :P)

Author's reply

Well...you *could* cheat, but just to let you know--I've re-written chapter six and part of chapter seven! Six comes from a whole different angle now. LOL...Why is it that everyone likes Esmeralda punching out Ferdie's lights? :-P You just gave me a little plot bunny about Frodo leaving Merry behind--or else I may alter another angsty Merry story that takes place around that timeframe...hmmm. btw, I'm going to be checking out your Estella/Merry romance; I've dropped mine for the time being. Thank you, Pervinca (I love that character, too!) for reading and reviewing! Pippinfan

anso · 27 February 2004 · Chapter 3: Waiting in the Dark

I´ve read this before, but bad reviewer that I am, I have probably not told you that it is a wonderful, angsty story with such a cute little Merry! Very well written.

Author's reply

You are not a bad reviewer--I hate to admit it, but there are other things going on in our lives that might need our attention when it is time to review. Fan fiction is our 'escape' from our hectic life. But, with that said, I *do* like encouragement--and contstructive criticism as well. It lets me know if something is well received, or needs adjusting/correction. Just to let you know, since you mentioned that you read it before, I've pretty much re-written chapter 6 and some of chapter 7. For some reason, the original pony story didn't read too well, so I went from another angle. Perhaps you can be my "barometer" when we get there. Thank you for taking the time to review! :-) Pippinfan p.s. I noticed you pulled your story and lost the review I sent--now that it's back up, I'll send another one! :-)

Arwen Baggins · 27 February 2004 · Chapter 3: Waiting in the Dark

Who's Saradas?

Arwen Baggins · 26 February 2004 · Chapter 1: Secret Hurts

Who is Uncle Saradas? Cute Merry, and I like how protective Frodo is. I'm off to read more. If you were intending Saradas to be Merry's father, his actual name is Saradoc.

Author's reply

Thank you, Arwen! LOL...You're not the first person to ask that--Saradas is Rory's younger brother. I thought he was a good candidate to be Frodo's guardian at Brandy Hall after he was orphaned. He's listed in the Brandybuck family tree in the appendices. Take care. Pippinfan

Reviews (16)