Miss Dora Baggins' Book of Manners by Dreamflower
PIppinfan1988 · 27 June 2006 · Chapter 1: Chapter One: Foreword
This is wonderful! Now I can see how Bilbo was able to give Pippin and Merry lots of advice while in Rivendell on their return trip to the Shire! I enjoyed the "hobbit touch", in that all hobbits must be predictable and that kindness overcomes a multitude of adentures. :-) Pippinfan
SurgicalSteel · 27 June 2006 · Chapter 2: Chapter Two: Upon the Rearing of Children, Part One, Infancy to Faunthood
I really am enjoying this - it reads so much like an old etiquette book! Fun!
Author's reply
That's definitely the effect I was aiming for--very old-fashioned!
Nienor Niniel · 27 June 2006 · Chapter 1: Chapter One: Foreword
Oh, that is fantastic! So in character for the hobbits. But she really shows those adventurous Tooks their place! The style of writing is so very fitting for such an advice book, and the advice given is just what a proper hobbit would want others to do. So I hope you are going to write the whole book! Thanks for sharing! Nienor
Author's reply
Yes, well, she acknowledges their pre-eminence at the top of the Roll and as one of the Great Families, but, yes--as JRRT himself observed in The Hobbit, the Tooks were not quite so respectable as the Bagginses! I'm glad you find the style appropriate--I'm having a lot of fun trying to imitate that old style! That's the plan. Chapter 2 is up now! Thank you for stopping by to read and review!
Kitty · 27 June 2006 · Chapter 1: Chapter One: Foreword
Great idea, Dreamflower! Can't wait what will come - this promises to be very entertaining! The first and foremost Principal of Respectability is Kindness. Well, she should have sent this to Lobelia ... Hobbits who have indulged themselves in Adventure have spent the rest of their lives attempting to recover their lost Reputation, and are never wholly successful, as Talk will follow them to the end of their days and beyond. *rofl* That means Bilbo, of course. Dora didn't live to see the Travellers vanish and return or the embassy from Gondor and the journey of Freddy and the others back with them, didn't she? According to her the Shire had a *very* disreputable Thain, Master and Mayor for some decades *grin* Hmmm ... maybe Dora should work together with the Gaffer about being 'proper' ;-)
Author's reply
I am quite sure that Miss Dora had the Sackville-Baggins firmly in mind when she wrote certain parts. And yes, of course you are right, it *does* mean Bilbo. While Dora was a kind-hearted hobbitess, she was also very Proper, and she never quite fully forgave Bilbo for the damage he did to the Family Reputation. So naturally, he gets a little swat in her etiquette guide! LOL! Well, the Gaffer is the "working class" side of Propriety, and Aunt Dora shows the more gentile side of it, but really it's two sides of the same hobbity coin...
French Pony · 26 June 2006 · Chapter 1: Chapter One: Foreword
Oh, awesome! I love old etiquette guides, and you have that style down cold, right down to the Properly Capitalized Letters. This is going to be so much fun. I'll keep an eye out for it.
Author's reply
I hope that you will continue to enjoy it! I'm having a good deal of fun writing it--it's so different from my other fics!
Glory Underhill · 26 June 2006 · Chapter 1: Chapter One: Foreword
Dear Miss Dora, I am particularly looking forward to your treatise on table manners as my brother is a terrible oaf at the table. I hope that your advice will help me guide him to more decorus behavior. Sincerely, Glory Underhill Bree
Author's reply
My Dear Miss Underhill: I am quite certain that when that chapter of my book appears it will contain Invaluable Advice for your brother. A Proper Hobbit treats Food with the Respect it deserves, including Table Manners. However, you may wish to slip the Advice to him Anonymously. It has been my Experience that Brothers do not take Kindly to Advice from Sisters, however Good it may be. Sincerely, Dora Baggins Hobbiton
MaidenofValinor · 26 June 2006 · Chapter 1: Chapter One: Foreword
Wonderful!! I can't wait!! This may be one that I have to add to my collection of important hobbity things. Haha. Yes, it is a real collection. I can't wait to see the rest of this! :)
Author's reply
I do hope it lives up to your expectations! I'm having huge fun with it!
Baggins Babe · 26 June 2006 · Chapter 1: Chapter One: Foreword
This is wonderful, Dreamflower! I've always had a soft spot for Dora, but I see her as a stickler for good manners and 'proper' behaviour. You have her tone to perfection. Can't wait to read more - and perhaps I can distribute her advice about the rearing of shildren because some of my neighbours could certainly do with it!
Author's reply
Yes, I've always thought of Miss Dora as kind-hearted but very prim and proper, and not approving at *all* of Adventure! LOL! That "reams of advice" makes me think she is kind of a hobbity cross between Miss Manners and Dear Abby! 8-D
Grey Wonderer · 26 June 2006 · Chapter 1: Chapter One: Foreword
I could use some advice about now. Hope she has lots of it.
Author's reply
Well, if you want to be Proper, Predictable and Respectable, she would probably have reams of advice. But...somehow I don't think those three adjectives describe you, GW! ;)
SurgicalSteel · 26 June 2006 · Chapter 1: Chapter One: Foreword
This looks like a really fun premise - I look forward to seeing more!
Author's reply
I'm having fun with it so far.
Pearl Took · 26 June 2006 · Chapter 1: Chapter One: Foreword
Wonderful!!!! I'm hooked :) (Though . . . I *am* a Took, and one given to Adventure at that. I'll just have to do the best I can with dear Miss Dora Baggin's advice.) She must have been all flustered when Bungo married Belladonna - LOL!!
Author's reply
Well, as we see, Miss Dora sort of gives a passover to certain, shall we say "Great Families", though hardly her approval. So you should be safe relatively speaking (in that Miss Dora is only a connection of the Tooks and not a relative, LOL!) Well, fortunately for her Baggins sensibilities, she was not born then. She is twelve years younger than Bilbo.
shirebound · 26 June 2006 · Chapter 1: Chapter One: Foreword
Oh, I will thoroughly enjoy reading her Advice! What a marvelous idea, Drdamflower.
Author's reply
I'm glad you think it a good idea! The bunny attacked me the other night when Dana and I were discussing Letter #214, and it just wouldn't go away...
AspenJules · 26 June 2006 · Chapter 1: Chapter One: Foreword
Oh, Dream... this is PRICELESS! So looking forward to hearing all the proper ways and means of Hobbitness. What a fount of ideas your imagination is! And nice to have some giggles after my trip... 13 teenage girls, at least half of them PMS-ing... *heaves sigh of relief!* It's over and I've survived... and even had some fun, really. Honestly they are delightful girls but... I'm glad to be home.
Author's reply
Well, I hope you will enjoy it! and glad I gave you a giggle!