Reviews of The Coin's Other Face

svadilfari · 18 July 2007 · Chapter 1: The Coin's Other Face

I didn't mention it earlier, but I really do like how you titled the two pieces. Very nice and very fitting. Just a question (I hope not in ignorance) about Frodo's sudden ugly emotion. Is this a subtle hint of how the Ring manipulates those around? I know it still was with Bilbo at the time (who did enjoy using it to his benefit)and Frodo lived with him. So surely it would have begun making its presence known? Or am I reading too much into this? It's just that I never thought it would simply quietly languish in the hands of some 'potty' Hobbit without doing some dirty work. Anyway, I liked how the coin was turned (pun intended) to Sam and Frodo. All very real emotions. They both certainly showed it in the book. That's what I like with Tolkien's characters, always colours of grey(despite what surface critics may wish to say. And really, isn't the Witch King of Angmar, the sexiest name ever? And he comes complete with his very own fell beast! Pity Eowyn slew him, although kudos to her for her fey initiative).The thing about the seven deadly sins is HOW they become deadly. A healthy amount of pride for oneself, one's friends, greed at a beautiful day or memory, etc. is healthy. It is when it is channeled wrongly, as clearly shown by your previous work, that it becomes, well, wrong. And now you have left me hungry, with thoughts of delectable mushrooms, pie, roasted fowl and scones. Heaven help me.

Author's reply

Actually, although I've definitely placed Lotho's story in the first year of Frodo's coming to Bag End, this one takes place after Bilbo leaves the Shire, and that nasty golden Ring is currently inhabiting Frodo's pocket and is trying its best to corrupt him as It can. When It finally accepts defeat and realizes Frodo would rather ignore a pretty lass rather than finding himself tempted to abuse or rape the object of his attention, the Ring then did Its best to turn off Frodo's natural sexuality in my personal take on the situation. I've done a good deal of work with children who lost loving families in their early years, and most of them seek to build a family of their own as soon as they can. If Frodo didn't, then it only makes sense the Ring was likely part of the reason why not. And, yes, there's a big difference between proper appetites and when they reach the stage of becoming the deadly sins--definitely the intent of these two works to show the contrast between healthy and unhealthy.

Elemmírë · 6 July 2007 · Chapter 1: The Coin's Other Face

This was cool, reading the various interpretations you came up with for the Seven Deadly Sins in both this tale and the one prior to it. Lotho's sins were very clear cut, but the way you wrote Frodo's and Sam's as being in more of that grey area was excellent. ie: the greed of memories and the beauty of the Shire, the pride of being Frodo's friend and likewise., etc. You really did indeed capture the flip side of the coin, as it were! :) ~Elemmírë~

Author's reply

Oh, I'm so very glad you feel I managed to do that flip side properly, particularly as that was precisely what I'd hoped to do. Thank you so for the feedback!

Radbooks · 3 July 2007 · Chapter 1: The Coin's Other Face

Oh, this was very good, Larner! To see their separate personalities so clearly in the different sins was very easy. I think I liked the 'envy' one the best for it really showed the differences in their places in hobbit society. But, they were all very good. :)

Author's reply

Yes, there is a good deal of contrast between the two of them, although a good deal of similarity as well. And so glad you liked the way each felt envy. And thanks so much. Have been having ISP problems--AGAIN. I hate my ISP--I want to read more and have had such difficulty trying to get and stay online!

Andrea · 2 July 2007 · Chapter 1: The Coin's Other Face

Wow! What a difference to Lotho! At first glance envy might be a sin, but where Lotho's envy turned into hatred Frodo's and Sam's only shows their respect for each other. Lust is a different matter. But again, Lotho seemed to enjoy his lust, even to feed it (if I can say so). Frodo does nothing of that kind. No, he fights it! Your description of this fight through Gandalf's eyes was great! And last, but not least: pride! In my opinion to be proud of someone else can be no sin. On the contrary, it shows humbleness. Whereas to pride oneself as Lotho does shows arrogance (My dictionary tells me that pride and arrogance have the same meaning. Is that so? I think there is a difference between them. The German word for pride is "Hochmut", btw). Wonderful insight into Sam's and Frodo's minds! Thank you very much, Larner!

Author's reply

Yes, quite a contrast to Lotho, both Frodo and Sam. And the envy these two feel isn't destructive--or at least, not yet. But I do think that Frodo would have been terrified to find what he could hide in his depths, and wouldn't realize most of the strength of what he feels is due to an external manipulation of his thoughts. Yes, Lotho would have loved to act out his lust, given the chance to do so without having to fear repurcussions, or so I think (as well as a number of other writers as well, of course), but Frodo would have done his best to shut such thoughts down and make certain no one even dreamed he could have such feelings at times. Yes, the pride Frodo and Sam feel in one another is more properly a form of humility. Pride itself can be positive or negative, depending on how much self-absorption one brings to the situation; arrogance is the negative aspect of pride when it is turned in on itself. And thank you so much for the comments and feedback.

cookiefleck · 2 July 2007 · Chapter 1: The Coin's Other Face

Very nice. I like the sense of peeking into scenes from their life, and I always enjoy "watching" them interact with other friends and family members.

Author's reply

Oh--yes--how appropriate! Yes, peeking indeed--briefly, at least. So glad you appreciated it.

Linda Hoyland · 2 July 2007 · Chapter 1: The Coin's Other Face

THis is so very true that from time to time,we all crave what someone else has, but these two are wise enough to appreciate their blessings.

Author's reply

These two have always practiced self-restraint, which isn't true of Lotho. And those who practice self-restraint do come to appreciate their blessings, while those who don't are seldom satisfied.

Grey Wonderer · 1 July 2007 · Chapter 1: The Coin's Other Face

That was so sweet. I loved the vast difference between this story and Lotho's own. It is easy to see that there are different degrees of these particular sins. The one with Gandalf observing Frodo's reaction to the lasses was chilling. This was all very good!

Author's reply

Oh, yes--quite a contrast between these two and Lotho. And the realization he had the capability of being such a rake and nasty one would have distressed Frodo, I think. So glad you appreciated it. And thanks so for the comments. Thanks so much!

shirebound · 1 July 2007 · Chapter 1: The Coin's Other Face

Nicely done, Larner. I especially enjoy the fact that both Frodo and Sam are proud of the other, and proud of their friendship.

Author's reply

There is pride, and then destructive Pride. And for Frodo and Sam--at the time, at least--there's is more realistic and productive rather than destructive. Thanks so for the feedback.

Dreamflower · 1 July 2007 · Chapter 1: The Coin's Other Face

What a contrast between Lotho, and these two! Yes, they are still "vices" I suppose, but they aren't the sort of selfish and all-consuming obssessions that they are for Lotho, but rather the ordinary temptations that come to all of us, and are indulged in a minor harmless way or else overcome. I think my favorite was seeing the righteous use of anger--very well done!

Author's reply

Yes, a marked contrast. The question of when a minor emotion becomes one of the "deadly sins" if of course one each of us must decide for ourselves. And am very glad you liked seeing Frodo and Sam in action dealing with their individual wrath! And a most happy birthday to you, Dreamflower.

Armariel · 1 July 2007 · Chapter 1: The Coin's Other Face

Ha, the other side of the coin indeed! Verrrryyyyy clever, my preciousss!! (And yes, dang it, now I'm hungry again!) Well, it IS close to supper time.... Once more a most delightful and unexpected treat! ~~~~{~@

Author's reply

So glad you appreciate it, Armariel, and I thought most appropriate for Dreamflower for her birthday. And thanks for the response. And I've got you hungry AGAIN? Writing (and reading) Hobbit meals seems to do that! Heh!

Baggins Babe · 1 July 2007 · Chapter 1: The Coin's Other Face

You have so brilliantly captured the difference between Lotho and Frodo and Sam. It was sweet that they slightly envied each other, and I loved Frodo's greed for books. I definitely recognise that one!

Author's reply

Yes, a definite difference between the nature of Lotho and those of his hated cousin and the gardener. And I do believe Sam and Frodo probably envied one another many times, although Sam did indeed inherit a place in the love and acceptance of the denizens of many of those in the great homes of the Shire, and in his own time was undoubtedly as welcome in Buckland and the Tooklands as Frodo ever was. And considering I, too, am a bibliophile I, also appreciate Frodo's lust for books. I can go broke with a visit to a bookstore! Heh!

Antane · 1 July 2007 · Chapter 1: The Coin's Other Face

I have known that envy/jealousy that I can't just stay up and not have to worry about needing to get up in the morning and have all day to do whatever I want. Oh, Sam, I know how you feel - though I doubt your heart ever really felt those things. And of course, Rose and Sam's 'lust' was not lust at all but love and that's how it could wait - thank you for that reinforcement of waiting until the time was right to fully enjoy true love. Oh, my dearest Frodo, a book glutton just like me! Love that part. And love the pride Frodo and Sam have in each other - what a wonderful ending. Namarie, God bless, Antane :)

Author's reply

Most of us here can more easily feel with Frodo and Sam than with Lotho, I think. There are good and bad expressions of all emotions; Sam and Frodo mostly know the good expressions, while Lotho--well, he's Lotho, after all. And I, too, am a book glutton as you put it. I think many of us on this site appreciate that aspect of Frodo's nature. Heh!

Kitty · 1 July 2007 · Chapter 1: The Coin's Other Face

Quite the difference to Lotho! Save for Frodo's Ring-induced lust for women the worst the two managed to do was to envy each other a bit - and I think that is pretty normal, as everybody is sometimes envious about something. And particularly the second part was telling - they experienced these sins in not doing it, but in watching Lotho and Ted and helping their victims. That is so much more like Frodo and Sam!

Author's reply

Which is why I entitled this story as I did--they are both a marvelous contrast to Lotho and Ted. And even Frodo's lust isn't truly his own failing, but a distortion of his nature brought about by the Ring. Thanks so much for the feedback.

Reviews (13)