Reviews (120)

Larner · 24 September 2006 · Chapter 19: Three Cousins and a Friend: Journey into Love--Introduction

I first discovered LOTR just a few years before you did, in 63-64, guided by a librarian in the main city library in Tacoma, Washington. I, also began writing fanfiction a couple years back, posting on this site starting two years ago next month, first posting on Henneth Annun. The PJ movies reawoke the original obsession, and it hasn't let go. My true love is for Aragorn, but I've found the triumverate of Aragorn, Frodo, and Sam has managed to quietly inspire me for all these years, and so I keep coming back to it; but the full Fellowship is what brought me truly into the story, I think, and the relationships we saw growing there.

Larner · 24 September 2006 · Chapter 3: Hobbit Ages

Handy....

Andrea · 29 June 2006 · Chapter 3: Hobbit Ages

Very useful for the reader indeed! Thank you! According to the formula I would be 53 1/2 years old, if I were a hobbit. So ... where's that adventure ;-)

Elemmírë · 28 June 2006 · Chapter 3: Hobbit Ages

As one who loves to use this, thank you for posting it in an easy place to reference!!! Now, instead of scrolling through your LJ entries or attempting to find the link you once placed in reviewing one of my tales, I can just come here. YEAH!!!!! That's a good idea Lindelea has about posting the Shire calendar. I, like you, just refer to my ROTK book or my own chart. I never thought using the proper hobbit names for the months or days would be very annoying to others, however. It makes me wonder if I should perhaps place the equivalent in parantheses next to the hobbit name.

Lindelea · 28 June 2006 · Chapter 3: Hobbit Ages

While you're at it, what do you think (hint, hint) of posting a handy-dandy reference chart with names of months and days? I hadn't thought of these chapters as a reader's reference (as well as writer's) until I read the reviews for this chapter, but it makes sense. "Thrimmage" and "Winterfilth" and the like do nothing for me when I run across them in a story. They're a source of frustration, really, and nagging aggravation as I read through a chapter looking for clues as to the story setting--and it distracts me from the plot, and usually LOTR is under someone's bed and so I can't go and look it up. I'm glad that JRRT himself didn't use them in his narrative but only mentioned them somewhere in his appendices, or I might never have got past the first chapter of LOTR. LOL!

Lindelea · 28 June 2006 · Chapter 3: Hobbit Ages

Good tool. I have a young writer-friend who worked out a similar chart and gave it to me for fun (knowing my weakness with number-crunching); I had told him I worked with a 2/3 or 3/2 ratio (depending on which way you're converting) and he worked out the numbers. Aargh! Out of time, or I'd leave a long, chatty review. What am I doing online, on a "non-online day"? (working on a group's newsletter, that's what, that is "past deadline" and sneaking a peek at story alerts that come in)

demeter d · 28 June 2006 · Chapter 3: Hobbit Ages

Indeed, very helpful! thank you. I really must learn my way around LiveJournal. Many of my favorite authors here are also at LiveJournal, some opf them were there first.

MaidenofValinor · 28 June 2006 · Chapter 3: Hobbit Ages

Thank you SO much! This is exactly what I have been looking for!

PIppinfan1988 · 28 June 2006 · Chapter 3: Hobbit Ages

I think this is wonderful! While I may not use it for my own purposes, I believe it will come in handy in reading another author's tale whose character ages aren't listed, but hint at the age "difference", so to speak. And I've come across one or two. As you already know, "ages & stages" don't keep me from reading a good Pippin & Merry story, lol. Pippinfan

Queen Galadriel · 15 December 2005 · Chapter 20: Three Cousins and a Friend: Journey into Love--Part 1: Pre-Quest

Dreamflower, I'm enjoying these essays immensely, and learning a lot. I'm fairly new to this fandom and just beginning to make my name as a fanfic writer, so I'm still trying to shape my views of things. Prequest I have almost entirely worked out now. This essay in particular was very helpful in that...and I love your little "aging system!" I'm anxious to see the rest of this, particularly what you have to say about post-quest. I've never run into anything so hard to deal with as post-quest Frodo, and my writings (esp. "The Strength to go On" and "The Kindest Choice") bear witness to my agonised struggles. :-) It's really a terrifying thing, depending on how you look at it, by which I mean the effects such a quest and such a rending of the soul might have had on Frodo. These were all very helpful and thought-provoking, and I can't wait for more! God bless, Galadriel P.S. There. I've put in my two cents...or three...or six...:-) and I've contributed my share to the discussion board thus far. :-)

PIppinfan1988 · 13 December 2005 · Chapter 20: Three Cousins and a Friend: Journey into Love--Part 1: Pre-Quest

This is absolutely splendid! There is so much valid and wonderful research here that I can only truly remark on a few items. LOL, imgaine that! I'll try not to be the usual chatter-box, but I highly doubt that I can help myself. I like to think that as very young children (faunt-five yrs), the lads most likely made their visits along with other family members; maybe with an older sibling or someone close and familiar, initially with mummy not far away *because* of the family ties you mentioned. I once wrote a tale with Merry being five years old and separated from his mum for a week, but I tried to depict that experience as being stressful on him, though he eventually warmed up to his uncle. This certainly does not mean that my view is correct, or that I don't enjoy reading tales that portray them this young and being left with Bilbo for a week or two. Its just that in my own world of hobbits, I would probably use another means to bring them together. However, I definitely believe they spent quite a bit of time together, though I don't portray Frodo's visits near enough. I'm still honing his character, believe it or not. Hobbit age vs. Man years. This is an area that I did not thoroughly understand prior to developing my universe--and yes, there is a good reason for this, but I won't give it here in a review of your lovely essay. As a result, my hobbits are well...five when they're five...and ten when they're ten. Another author once tried to ask or tell me something about this in a reiew a couple of years ago on ff.net, but the way it was stated confused me all the more, and by then my universe was well on its way. What I have tried to do to compensate for this since arriving at SOA is to slow them down in thier tween, stretching out the teenage years into the tweens. If I remember my own teenage years well enough, lol, this could make for some real crabby, angsty hobbit-teens! At this point, however, I am not willing to go back and change everything. We'll adapt--and I thank you for putting up with having to do your own calculations when reading my tales. Someday, I'd like to be able to convert the ages for you as you do for the rest of us. Lastly, and then I have to go to bed (I should have been there by now, lol), but the idea of Sam divulging the conversation between Gandalf and Frodo is fantastic...and too late for me. I wrote a conspiracy tale a couple months ago (for Marigold's challenge), and for the life of me could not figure out how Merry and Pippin got hold of that information. I'm getting sleepy now, so I may not be coherent. I even bounced this part of the tale with a mutual friend of ours a few times to get a better understanding, but still did not come up with the same logic you did. This is why I like your essays so much; its always great to read another's pov, weigh it, and then muse on it. Thank you so much for sharing your views and for allowing me to be a chatterbox. I'll try to behave myself next time. Pippinfan

PIppinfan1988 · 12 December 2005 · Chapter 19: Three Cousins and a Friend: Journey into Love--Introduction

You know, for some strange reason, these Musings never come up on my alerts, neither does it show up if I do a search via title. Could be just me... Anyway...as you know, I must put in my pence-worth. I had to read through the books several times before I could pinpoint even one reason why I fell in love with this beautiful epic (because there are so many!). You mentioned one; good triumphing over evil was what initially grabbed me, and yes, there was much more to it. It was a world in which I could get lost in. I will say, too, that the next "things" that took my imagination by storm are the four hobbits. Not the Man, not the Dwarf---lol, certainly not the Elf. It was Sam's loyalty to Frodo that captured me, though I fell in love with Little Pippin right off the bat, followed by Merry. Not until I got mixed up in the old bb.net forum did I ever get to thoroughly examine the relationship between the latter pair. This is going to be VERY interesting to listen to what you have to say on the subject. This is one of my favorite topics! Pippinfan p.s. Hope you're feeling much better today. :-)

lovethosehobbits · 24 November 2005 · Chapter 20: Three Cousins and a Friend: Journey into Love--Part 1: Pre-Quest

Thanks so much for this...very, very informative!

Raksha The Demon · 23 November 2005 · Chapter 1: The Validity of Fanon in Hobbit Fanfiction

Ooh - good points here! "Besides Frodo, the other hobbits who went on the Quest also suffered from psychological trauma and related to this, Merry Brandybuck also suffered from an anniversary illness on the date of his helping to kill the Witch-king of Angmar, Chief of the Nazgûl. ...there is one factor that seems to me to speak to this issue: at the end of their lives *all three* hobbits choose to leave the Shire and end their days elsewhere--the implication is that Sam sailed to the Undying Lands, while Merry and Pippin are stated to return to the South to the Kings who held their allegiance, first staying in Rohan until the death of Éomer and then going to Gondor, where they died at some indeterminate date before the death of King Elessar. This speaks to a certain feeling of alienation from the homeland they had loved so well, and would indicate that there were some things they had never quite recovered from. Add to this the fact that though they are hobbits--a peaceful race unaccustomed to turmoil-- they had been exposed to the horrific face of war and evil, had experienced battle and pain, there is no doubt that, in modern terms, they would have suffered at least somewhat from Post-Traumatic Stress Syndrome. Not, of course, to the extent that Frodo did, but most certainly to some degree or other." I definitely agree that Merry and Pippin retired to Gondor and Rohan because they had been changed by the events of the Ring War, and no longer were as comfortable in the Shire as they had been. Sam, I think, went to the West because after Rosie passed away, he felt the need to see Frodo again while he still could, and because he still felt perhaps a tinge of the burden he had briefly carried. Merry and Pippin were changed both for the better and the worse by their experiences - they were exposed to a much wider world than the Shire, and personally affected that world, and became its heroes. In a way, the Shire had become perhaps too small to hold them after their wives' passing. And also, the theory of post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is equally valid. Merry witnessed Boromir's tragic and painful last stand, was carried off by monsters, and later saw the fall of a man he loved as a father, then suffered the supernatural sting of the demon he helped kill. I think Pippin's darkest hour, the time that would have most given him nightmares, was seeing a Man he admired and had vowed to serve, Denethor, go crazy and try to burn alive the son that Pippin also loved. And Pippin said, when awaiting his doom in an apparently hopeless battle, that he understood "poor Denethor" better; though unlike Denethor, Pippin masters his despair and resolves to try to make a good end, killing foes. All three hobbits, Sam and Merry and Pippin, were exposed to horrors that would wear down the spirits of even strong men; though, unlike Men, they had no preparation for battle, confrontation with Ringwraiths, orcs, or Sauron's Shadow itself, coming from the bucolic and sheltered enclave of the Shire. It's no wonder that they felt themselves different from their sturdy kinfolk when they returned - though the Shire had been struck by evil, it was an evil mostly of the doing of Men, and hobbits, and one magic-less Wizard, rather than the more soul-searing horrors they had faced on their journey. Sam was probably more wounded by the depradations at home than he had been by the arid waste of Mordor. Good essay!

Raksha The Demon · 23 November 2005 · Chapter 2: Tolkien's Use of Expletives

Whoops, format error in my review - Damrod was referring to 'Mumak', not 'Mzmak'....

Raksha The Demon · 23 November 2005 · Chapter 2: Tolkien's Use of Expletives

How would you characterize the following line from Ch. 4 - Of Herbs And Stewed Rabbit - in THE TWO TOWERS: 'Ware! Ware!' cried Damrod to his companion. 'May the Valar turn him aside! Mžmak! Mžmak!' It's not an Elvish phrase, or a battle cry, but something between a plea and a prayer. Would you call it an expletive or an invocation? Anyway, this is a thoughtful, well-reasoned essay that I've enjoyed. I do hate it when fanfic writers have Tolkien characters swearing 'By Eru!'...

Larner · 22 November 2005 · Chapter 20: Three Cousins and a Friend: Journey into Love--Part 1: Pre-Quest

I know I've postulated much the same reasons for the closeness between the three conspirators and Frodo; and that Sam appeared remarkably mature for a Hobbit his age and shared interests with Frodo that increased Frodo's willingness to spend time with him. I've also postulated that there is simply about Frodo an aura that, once it becomes obvious to others, draws them to him, further reinforcing the relationships there. Sam, as the gardener's lad who at a remarkably young age takes over for his father as gardener and caretaker for Bag End, is well set up to spy on his employer, knows which windows can be utilized to learn what his master is planning to do, where he's most likely to entertain guests, and listens discretely so as to anticipate what Frodo may need or want. Once Merry becomes aware of this tendency in Sam to be spying on Frodo, he readily utilizes it in his conspiracy. Also, they are all working together obviously out of what appears a filial love. Frodo is aware Sam spies on him, but the depth of his spying and his willingness to share with the others is not made plain until the conspiracy is unmasked. I'm one of the ones who's gone the "Frodo was seen as a sickly child" route. That Sadoc and the other brother would have probably had descendants near Frodo's age in Brandy Hall and that there would have been Tooks in the Great Smials near Frodo's age also seemed likely. Perhaps the fact he was an orphan might have made the difference in the willingness of others near his age to bond with him; but I felt it was more likely due to lack of shared interests and active discouragement. The perception that a minor childhood disability such as a mild heart murmur might be dangerous would serve to lead Frodo's guardians to discourage the more active relationships with others his age during the rowdy years of adolescence as well as making it more likely he would be encouraged to build even more relationships with his younger cousins. And for one seen as a bookworm to be avoided by those his age but idolized by those younger seemed also logical--I certainly saw such in my own growing up, where with my abnormal interests in natural life and books and dramatics set me apart from the kids my own age but seemed to attract many younger kids to me. (Again, I realize I've projected a lot of my own experiences, preferences, and so on onto Frodo in particular--please forgive me!) Anyway, this is an excellent discussion. That you and I and apparently countless others have all tended to perceive the relationships and the probable reasons behind them so similarly indicates how convincing the few hints Tolkien gives us are.

Linda Hoyland · 22 November 2005 · Chapter 1: The Validity of Fanon in Hobbit Fanfiction

THis is a very interesting essay and I am enjoying it.

Larner · 22 November 2005 · Chapter 19: Three Cousins and a Friend: Journey into Love--Introduction

I read them first just shortly before you did, in 63-64. For me the eight who survived Amon Hen became my heroes, particularly Frodo and Sam, Gandalf and Aragorn. The relationships among the four Hobbits were always interesting, but not more interesting for me than those between each and Aragorn, who remains my main love to this day. But the heart of the story is the journey of Frodo and Sam, and theirs the major relationship to be explored.

Inkling · 22 November 2005 · Chapter 2: Tolkien's Use of Expletives

All the expletives lined up like that make quite a funny list! Re "in the name of wonder," I believe Merry also says it in "Fog on the Barrow Downs." "Lor bless me!" always intrigued me because I assume "Lor" is short for "Lord." And yet the hobbits don't otherwise acknowledge the existence of God. I've always chalked that up to one of Tolkien's anachronisms, like the express train reference in "An Unexpected Party." Wonder what "Lawks" means...?

shirebound · 22 November 2005 · Chapter 20: Three Cousins and a Friend: Journey into Love--Part 1: Pre-Quest

I do love your essays! I especially love this bit of insight: But if in the time between Bilbo’s leaving and the time of Gandalf’s return with the news of the Ring, Frodo had spent time with his younger relations and friends, mentoring them and caring for them, then by the time they too approach young adulthood their love and admiration will have come to form a steadfast friendship. It is in fact, so strong a bond that they are willing to abandon home and family to follow him into danger.

Bodkin · 17 November 2005 · Chapter 2: Tolkien's Use of Expletives

some of the milder and strictly British vulgarisms did not seem out of place When being vulgar, too, you have to be so careful because different terms are more or less offensive in different cultures. And with 'rated for language', my first response is to say that, without language, there would be no story, and my second is to think that if they actually completed the phrase with the indication of what sort of language they meant - 'bad language', 'vulgar language', 'indecent language' or so on - whether it would seem quite so clever.

Bodkin · 17 November 2005 · Chapter 2: Tolkien's Use of Expletives

Tolkien chosen exclamations are very much to do with the sort of person he was, too. He was a Victorian-born, educated in an era when a gentleman and a scholar wouldn't have dreamt of using vulgar language - except possibly in an all-male extreme situation, like war or rugby, and certainly not in a medium that might be available to women and children. Moreover, invocations of the Valar would have blasphemous connotations, except, again, in extreme circumstances. (I think being attacked by the Nazgul might count.) One of the things in Another Place that makes me cringe - when the summary says 'rated for language'. Oh yes - terribly in character. I don't think.

lovethosehobbits · 17 November 2005 · Chapter 2: Tolkien's Use of Expletives

Thanks so much for this! I've copied it to my fics references to use in the future. Although all of my fics are AU it would be *nice* to use an exclamation that sounds fitting! tree

Baggins Babe · 17 November 2005 · Chapter 2: Tolkien's Use of Expletives

I am so enjoying your thoughts on the world of Middle-earth and yes, I try to keep most of the expletives in canon. I always loved the one of Bilbo's in the EE of 'Fellowship' - "Sticklebacks!" It seems an ideal hobbity curse, to use the name of the tiny fish British children find in rivers and streams. Also liked Treebeard's "Bless my bark!" I imagine the Gaffer had quite a few inventive ones, possibly for use when he dropped a spade on his foot or scratched himself on a rose bush. :-)) In the previous chapter, thinking about Frodo's friendships, I suspect he and Reggie were good friends as children but as they grew older they probably drifted apart because his childhood friends married and had families. Frodo then tended to spend more time with the younger ones. Just a thought! Incredible amount of research going into this, and I really enjoyed seeing the reviews turn into a discussion board.