demeter d
· 30 September 2006
· Chapter 15: Taking the Long Way Home
hmmm.Resentment, envy, embarrassment, all very un-Hobbity emotions! Young Bilbo sounds like my own son when he was in Junior High. (Come to think of it, even now that he is grown, he still thinks his mom is a bit daft!) Isn't there, written in some cosmic guidebook somewhere, a rule that parents are expected to embarrass their younglings? Belladonna's brother is fortunate to have a patient, understanding brother-in-law who will open his home. I can see where Bilbo learned to become the accepting, loving person he was when he grew. And, ironic, isn't it? The young Hobbit who hid his head from the "singing society" became "Mad Baggins" who composed walking songs, lays about elves, and went adventuring with Dwarves! And eventually did go to sea himself. Lovely chapter.
demeter d
· 30 September 2006
· Chapter 17: Settling In
So, the wandering uncle may find a peaceful home after all. Warm, loving familiesa like this are one reason why we love our Hobbits!
Author's reply
Yes, it seems the plan is to rehabilitate the wandering uncle so that he might not be seen as a menace to self or others, and thus escape being "locked up" and "for his own good".
harrowcat
· 30 September 2006
· Chapter 18: From the Journal of Fortinbras Took, S.R. 1158
Oops, I meant to add to that last review.
Mud, mud, glorious mud
nothing quite like it for cooling the blood.
So follow me follow me
down to the hollow
and there we will wallow in glorious mud!
It is the chorus of a fun song by Flanders and Swann. (I think!) It is about a hippopotamus!
Author's reply
What fun!
harrowcat
· 30 September 2006
· Chapter 18: From the Journal of Fortinbras Took, S.R. 1158
Snow in September! Fun but ominous!
BTW Are the berries plentiful where you are this year? Supposedly the sign of a hard winter to come!
Author's reply
Hmmm. We missed the blackberrying this year, just got too busy. But I hear from one of the wee hobbits that there were "millions" at the farm where we would get our milk until a few weeks ago when the cow went dry.
harrowcat
· 30 September 2006
· Chapter 17: Settling In
Yep, much cooler thank goodness and my favourite time of the year. Apples, acorns and conkers! Mists and mellow fruitfulness!
And, oh this chapter did make me sniffle! Pass the hankies please!
Author's reply
*passes hankie*
Mmm. Apples. Makes me want to bake up another apple pie, like the one we enjoyed over the weekend.
Dreamflower
· 30 September 2006
· Chapter 18: From the Journal of Fortinbras Took, S.R. 1158
Uh-oh! It's a tribute to your skill, Lin, that you can make an entirely fluffy chapter with not a negative word in it seem so ominous to the reader.
But they don't yet know the meaning of this early snow, and so they can enjoy it. They can revel in oblivious ignorance.
Author's reply
Yes, read it over just now in preparation to working on the next "Fortinbras" chapter and you're right, it is entirely joyful and fluffy and no real foreshadowing, and yet it strikes a chill. How amazing and wonderful when something works like that! I think the Muse does most of the work back behind the scenes where even I don't perceive it.
Whew.
Really ought to be spending this time working on MEFA reviews, but my head is fuzzy and I'm having trouble rubbing two words together to spark a sentence, much less read and respond intelligently.
Dreamflower
· 30 September 2006
· Chapter 17: Settling In
Bilbo's a good lad at heart (as we know) and it's going to be very hard for him to hang on to resentment and embarassment in the face of so much love and good cheer.
This is a delightful chapter!
Author's reply
Definitely good training for the lad in compassion, and in putting a good face on things, even in the face of one's own discomfort.
Larner
· 29 August 2006
· Chapter 16: From the Journal of Fortinbras Took, S.R. 1158
Yes, waste not, want not, indeed. And I look forward to this one being updated.
Author's reply
Finally updated, and only a little more than a month between chapters. Only!
And still waiting for my editor-friend to give me back my "Thain". It's a busy time of year for her, when school starts back up. (For us all, actually. But when is it *not* busy?)
harrowcat
· 7 August 2006
· Chapter 16: From the Journal of Fortinbras Took, S.R. 1158
Apples are to be taken gently in hand, plucked with tender firmness from the parent tree, and laid with their fellows to sleep for the short journey to the storage caverns where they will spend the winter, fetched for apple tart or apple sauce or baked apple or apple cake or any number of delights, until the last of them, wrinkled with age, give up their sweetness at last, not long before the new harvest.
This is beautiful Lindelea. You make my mouth water and long for Autumn. It is still so hot here!
Waste not, want not indeed! Who knows what the future will bring.
Author's reply
Is it cooler now? It is certainly apple-time here, though we were busy when the local nursery had its apple festival with thirty or so different kinds of apples for the tasting and fresh-pressed cider. Mmm.
Now I'm getting thirsty-hungering for a juicy crisp-crunch. And no apples to be found in the house. Guess I'd better bestir myself and do the weeks grocery shopping.
Bodkin
· 2 August 2006
· Chapter 16: From the Journal of Fortinbras Took, S.R. 1158
Good for Fortinbras's Da. I'm rather pleased that he splatted Isengrim and that Gerontius seems better. And they definitely don't want to waste a single apple. Not this year. Not since Gerontius is about to be proved right.
Author's reply
Too true. I don't think Fortinbras' Da believes his father, any more than the others, but he can see the good sense in being prepared for a harsher winter than usual. After all, if you put away extra food that's not needed, you can have extra feasting when all is said and done. Very practical hobbit, he is. He'll make a good Thain someday.
Bodkin
· 2 August 2006
· Chapter 15: Taking the Long Way Home
While feeling a little sorry for Bilbo - adolescents find their adult kin cringingly embarrassing at the best of times - I'm looking forward to him becoming rather less sensitive to what people think and rather more understanding of how people feel. Fortunately he will have a long hard winter ahead of him in which to mature. Like a good cheese.
Author's reply
Yes, he'll have his ups and downs, but really, with such parents I cannot see him remaining sullen and resentful for terribly long. (Not to mention, such an attitude seems most unBilbo-ish.)
Dreamflower
· 31 July 2006
· Chapter 16: From the Journal of Fortinbras Took, S.R. 1158
And now we see the thoughts of another heedless young tween, but one who somehow has been left with rather more to think about than usual after a scolding. He is not yet able to put the peices together, but he is beginning to see that the picture the puzzle shows is a mighty disturbing one.
I did so love his cheerful unrepentance at the end--one can't really keep a young Took down for long, and I can certainly see where Pippin got a lot of his cheekiness!
Author's reply
LOL, yes, those Tooks! They are such fun to write.
Dreamflower
· 31 July 2006
· Chapter 15: Taking the Long Way Home
Oh dear! I am chuckling so hard it hurts, and yet I do feel for poor little Bilbo, caught by you so perfectly in that self-centered self-inflicted mortification so typical of a young adolescent! They are so adorably easy to embarrass at that age, LOL!
(I remember being with my son in the public library when he was about 11 or 12, and when I was ready to go, I went by and sharply but softly called his name. I don't believe another soul heard me, nor was anyone else there that we knew, but his face flamed and he was furious. All the way home, I heard about how I had "humiliated" him by "hollering" his name as though he were a "baby" who had to go everywhere with his *mother*! LOL!)
Author's reply
How I remember being embarassed (and I don't know how to spell it!) in my adolescence.
I heard an anecdote at Bible study last week, when someone in our group was talking about how she knew that this was the right church for them. They'd just met the pastor, who lived in their neighbourhood, so she knew who he was... anyhow, there was a group of adolescent boys waiting on the corner for the school bus, and then this sporty car drove up and the driver tootled the horn and rolled down the window and gestured to one of the boys. "Come here!"
And the gangling lad went over to the car, and his dad (for it was his dad, and the pastor in question) grabbed him by the shirt and pulled him down and laid a smacking kiss on the top of his head, and then let him go, the kid blushing bright red, but grinning ear-to-ear.
And the other boys razzed him a bit when he returned to the group, and he just shrugged and said (rather proudly, by all reports) "Yeah, that's my dad."
Larner
· 22 December 2005
· Chapter 14: From the Journal of Fortinbras Took, S.R. 1158
I was able to figure out which was which, but thanks for the caution.
Hope the small hobbitlings are enjoying working to Christmas. Now tomorrow it's my turn. Heh!
Cuthalion
· 22 December 2005
· Chapter 14: From the Journal of Fortinbras Took, S.R. 1158
What intrigues me most is how intricately you weave the family relationships into a flawless, believable universe - all those different uncles and aunts, the suffering gradfather, the puzzled grandson. And how much his diary has developed meanwhile! I love this tale, Lin, and I enjoy returning to it every time.
A blessed Christmas, my dear. *hugs*
Dreamflower
· 22 December 2005
· Chapter 14: From the Journal of Fortinbras Took, S.R. 1158
I do like Fortinbras' determined eavesdropping! And his pleasure in having his father home is very sweet to see!
I am assuming that Ferumbras' anger at Isenbras has to do with the journal entries where Fortinbras fears that his grandfather is ill or mad. Sounds like a possible usurpation was being thought of.
I am confused, however. In the Took family tree, I see only Ferumbras II and Bandobras as the sons of Isumbras III. In the earlier part of your story you refer to an Uncle Isembold, and now to an Uncle Isenbras. Are these two sons of Isumbras III,who were not recorded on the family tree, or are they more distantly related, and young Fortinbras calls them "Uncle" as courtesy titles? Who are they?
Author's reply
I remember reading somewhere that JRRT said not all the Tooks are represented on the Took family tree, only the most important ones. Thus it is possible that there are other sons of Isumbras, and that their names might even have different suffixes (looking for an example to the children of Gerontius).
Thus I took the liberty of extrapolating a couple of "uncles". They are obviously not very noteworthy, compared to the brother who becomes Thain and their other brother who became famed for his actions on the battlefield (and his inventing of the game of golf).
I probably ought to add something to the story notes but am still figuring out these sons of Isumbras.
Any thoughts on the matter that you might have would certainly be welcome, considering how you have pondered the genealogies.
Thanks!
Bodkin
· 17 December 2005
· Chapter 13: Long Winter Ahead
It is so easy to empathise with Bilbo here. Who hasn't, as a child, yearned to avoid those cringe-making relatives who pinch your cheek and say how like you are to old Uncle So-and-So - and here the poor lad is, taking mad old Uncle Isen home with him!
Except old Uncle Isen isn't mad at all - well, not really - and what he really needs is someone who will listen to him and show him some respect. He must be desperately lonely, poor hobbit. And the rambling tunnels of the Smials is probably the worst place for him. (Especially with those unadventurous smug brothers acting as gaolers.)
He might not see it yet, but Isen will be better off with Bella and Bungo - and Bilbo is about to learn a few things that will turn him into Gandalf's next hobbit adventurer.
Author's reply
I remember being very confused as a youngster, being told I had somebody's nose. I could see very well that somebody's nose was properly in place, and that my nose was my own!
Well, you have had a glimpse of Isen in the kitchen of Bag End, and so you know a little of how things are going to be once the hobbit settles in to his new surroundings. There may be a rocky start, of course. He does have a habit of wandering.
But it'll do Bilbo some good to learn compassion at his young age.
Larner
· 17 December 2005
· Chapter 13: Long Winter Ahead
Enjoy how Belladonna and Bungo are making this an enjoyable thing rather than an exile. And the invocation of the prunes by Bungo was inspired.
As for Bilbo--he'll regret it when Uncle Isengar goes home again, I'm betting!
Author's reply
Ah yes. Prunes. Do it for me every time. (Actually, they're not so bad eaten "as is". But I have never seen any merit in stewing the things.)
I think you're betting wisely.
Hoorah! We had a late night last night, a Christmas get-together with friends. Ah. Pizza and carols. Lovely. The children are sleeping in as a result, and so I hope to read a chapter or two of your latest!
(Hurry, hurry, before the hobbitlings awaken...)
Dreamflower
· 16 December 2005
· Chapter 13: Long Winter Ahead
Bilbo's rather a selfish little thing here, isn't he? Of course, he's at the start of that age where everything has to be about *him*, LOL! But I have a hunch he is rather going to be changing his feelings about Uncle Isengar over the next few months.
Your Bungo is a wonderful character. He has a quiet strength and intelligence and a goodly amount of empathy that I think is a Baggins trait (one seen in Frodo later on)and is probably why he was able to win the marvelous Belladonna.
I don't much like Isengrim. Aside from a general distaste at his brother's having had an adventure and returning marked from it, I just don't get his hostility. For some reason he doesn't seem very Tookish compared to his other siblings.
Author's reply
Ah, well, Bilbo has room to grow.
Too bad Isengrim doesn't have such an excuse. Perhaps he takes more after his mother's side of the family. As I've mentioned before, he's a pragmatist and not as much of a dreamer as some others amongst his siblings. He is also in line to be Thain after his father, and it is a heavy responsibility to bear, in all likelihood.
Do you think he might be jealous of his mother's regard for the youngest? Here's this ne'er-do-well brother who ran off and broke their mother's heart and when they'd reconciled themselves to his loss he came back and his constant presence rubbed his (forget the word I want, injuredness?) in their noses, making Adamanta fuss over him even more, and grieving her heart at the same time... and there may be sort of a parallel to the prodigal son and his older brother's bitterness, perhaps, though I never thought of it that way until just now.
Bungo is one of those easily-overlooked but solid characters. I remember hearing two older women, when I was very young, talking about people at a large event (picnic? outdoor wedding reception? can't remember). "That one is quite a dancer" and "That one has a way of making you laugh" and "Ah, but *that* one, he's not much to look at but he'll make some lucky girl a fine husband some day."
Cuthalion
· 4 December 2005
· Chapter 12: From the Journal of Fortinbras Took, S.R. 1158
Ah - bad times are foreshadowing. Somehow the image of Fortinbras cowering on the field like a starvin rabbit, secretly chewing carrots, makes me shiver.
(Sorry that I came so late. But things are a bit crazy over here right now.)
Author's reply
KWYM about things being crazy. I have a respite only because I'm home with a sick child, and sneaking online when she's napping.
Poor hobbits. From what JRRT says about this winter, a sandy carrot might seem like a feast, in time.
Am still trying to figure out how Gandalf brings relief! After all, I don't know that he can conjure food... He's more of a fire-bringer, or am I wrong?
Inkling
· 22 November 2005
· Chapter 11: Sea Change
The Took boys mixing it up…quite a scene! Keeping them straight is daunting, though...too many Isens by far!
And LOL that the sign of Isengar’s “madness” his family seems to find most disturbing is that he forced a young hobbit to read a book!
Author's reply
*Way* too many Is-- names. What *was* JRRT thinking? (But then there are modern parallels. I think of the parents who have sixteen children or something like that--all names starting with "J". Heard a radio interview with the father of the family, and he was able to name all the kids, in order, without hesitating. We have *three* and sometimes mix up the names, and the names are very different from one another!)
I get the feeling that the Tooks aren't quite so bookish as the Bagginses or Brandybucks. Don't know where that impression comes from, but am going with it.
Thanks!
Inkling
· 22 November 2005
· Chapter 9: Change in the Weather
Cruel Lin, to tease us with hints of backstory…the Gull? The Captain? Inquiring minds want to know!
Author's reply
There may well be a slow unveiling of backstory.
I just wish I knew more about sailing ships. No time for the extensive research I usually put into a story; more of a quick look-through. Sure hope I don't make a huge gaffe.
Will have to check and see if Earendil (or however you spell it) had any descendants. I would dearly love the Captain to have been descended from him.
Inkling
· 22 November 2005
· Chapter 7: Topics of Interest
(I'm sure they'd appreciate the song "Food, Glorious Food!" from "Oliver!")
Oh, I love it! In fact I can well imagine an entire production of “Oliver!” cast with hobbits…there’s something very Dickensian about them, you know.
I had to reread Chapters 7 and 8 just now to refresh my memory, and noticed the irony of this line that I had missed on the first reading:
It was all politeness, of course, for what service could a wizard possibly ask of a hobbit?
What service indeed…the salvation of Midde-earth, perhaps?
Author's reply
What service, indeed.
You noticed that too? Dickensian, yes, for some reason hobbits seem very much as if they've sprung from the pages of Dickens. And yet, the way I've imagined society in the "great holes" there's a touch of Austen there too.
I wonder what JRRT himself would say to that?
FantasyFan
· 19 November 2005
· Chapter 12: From the Journal of Fortinbras Took, S.R. 1158
So it's not madness at all, but some kind of foresight that has allowed Fortinbras' grandfa to see the coming inclement weather? He's getting the harvest in early, and ordering half rations against future disaster? That in itself is remarkable enough, but it also seems as if there's been a coup of sorts, and he's now locked away with the Uncles calling the shots now. Full rations are back, despite the fact that the ground is too wet to plant the winter crops.
The idea of foresight is an interesting one. Several characters have it, so named , in Tolkien's universe, most notably, Elrond and Glorfindel, although Gliraen and Aragorn show flashes of it at times. Does it descend through the Elvish line? If so, we might have to postulate that fairy wife for the Tooks, because Frodo shows foresight in the form of prescient dreams during the quest, and afterwards when he predicts Sam's mayoralty and the names of his children (although not perfectly, and some could argue that it was a self-fulfilling prophecy because what else would Sam name them after that?). Of course, Sam has no Took blood, but even he has vague feelings like the one where, early in the quest, he feels that he has an important task to do before the end. Even in your own story, the early Thains are given visions of their descendants and several other characters move out of the purely physical plane at the point of death. It's a tough thing to pull off, adding that little bit of magic to the world while leaving it grounded enough that we willingly suspend disbelief as well as recognize our world in the creation.
Author's reply
I was thinking of the dreams JRRT wrote into LOTR, as a matter of fact. And so Grandfa has suffered dreams, perhaps warnings from the Valar, but along with the predictions of gaffers and hunters and those close to the land that it'll be a harsh winter (things like extra-thick pelts, or like Pa Ingalls showing Laura the muskrat house, and how thick the walls were built, in an early chapter of "Long Winter", or old folk superstitions that a hot summer precedes a harsh winter--is that true? Don't know).
It would be ironic if the hobbits themselves are growing extra-thick fur on their feet, as if their bodies know what is coming before they do, themselves. Hm. Might even write that fact in.
I was originally going to have Gandalf warn the Thain, for it seems possible that the wizard would have some foreknowledge, but for the snippet in "Unfinished Tales" that implies that the wizard became interested in the Shire as a result of the hobbits' suffering and pity during the Long Winter. So I fell back on dreams, which while less plausible and possibly more contrived, do fit in with the original, at least.
Bodkin
· 19 November 2005
· Chapter 12: From the Journal of Fortinbras Took, S.R. 1158
Some of these Tooks seem very parochial and narrow. They are reluctant to tolerate anything that is outside their own experience - or, at the most generous, the experience of their grandparents. It's a wonder anything ever made progress in the Tooklands.
It would seem that Grandfa had his reasons. I hope being proved right to have the proud Tooks slaving over the harvest on half-rations is going to be a satisfaction to him. At least until bad turns to worse.
Author's reply
Ah, yes, hobbits as JRRT himself described them. Parochial and narrow.
I suppose it is possible to be satisfied in an "I told you so" sort of way, even as the sky is falling around you. But a bitter satisfaction at best.