Truth Be Told by Virtuella
Agape4Gondor · 13 October 2009 · Chapter 7: Different perspectives
I've been away for a month with very limited internet access... so here I am ready to pick up the pieces and see what you've done to our poor hero... when last I saw he was flinging over a cliff. Very nice beginning - you just bring such a neat sense of peace with your writing... And the wolf was excellent too... But poor Faramir is in way over his head... Nice chapter... onward!
Dreamflower · 13 October 2009 · Chapter 9: Story Time
Poor Fana! And it must have been very bittersweet for Deoric's friend Niarl, to have to have his wedding without his best friend there. But now we are coming to the meat of this story: tales that are one thing told by one side, and another when told by the other. With, probably, the truth something somewhere in between. It's going to be a very interesting time for Deoric...
Author's reply
I hope it will be. Thanks for the review!
curiouswombat · 13 October 2009 · Chapter 9: Story Time
Oh my! I can see, now, where a certain distance which is more than physical may appear between Déoric and his King when he finally returns home...
Author's reply
Indeed. That's the plan. :D Thanks for reviewing!
Raksha The Demon · 4 October 2009 · Chapter 8: Awakening
Our hero is snowbound with a Dunlander? Ack! At least fortune favored him and sent a very nice Dunlander lady with good healing skills and a kind heart, not to mention strong arms! Of course, Deoric would fret about the horse. More soon, I hope!
Author's reply
Well, we need some ack! here. More is in the making. Thank you!
Celeritas · 4 October 2009 · Chapter 8: Awakening
Need to go back and leave reviews for the rest of this (because so much is well done!) but I did want to say that having Deoric being rescued by a Dunlending was a really good move given what your summary has said about his learning that things aren't always what we think they are. This opens up a ream of new possibilities, and I'm looking forward to seeing what you'll do next.
Author's reply
Thanks, I'll keep working at it!
curiouswombat · 4 October 2009 · Chapter 8: Awakening
Ah - a fascinating rescuer - it will be interesting to learn more of her. I wonder if we will ever see the wolf again? I feel for Fana and Dirlayn.
Author's reply
Thank you - but you don't expect me to reveal my plans, do you?; ;-)
Larner · 4 October 2009 · Chapter 8: Awakening
One of my favorite stories when I was younger was "Never Cry Wolf" by Farley Mowat. I so enjoyed seeing the true nature of wolves brought out by him, as you have noted here. And am so glad the wolf did not suffer for its shared warmth! Now, he will learn a good many stories while here, I'd think. Lunet appears to be a Wise Woman and healer, and he will have a number of stereotypes dispelled while in her company! Very nicely done! And thanks so for the reviews you've given on FF.n--it's been a difficult couple of weeks, I fear, so I'm way behind in thanking folk for feedback.
Author's reply
Thank you, I'm glad you approve. As for the other thing, I'll e-mail you.
Dreamflower · 4 October 2009 · Chapter 8: Awakening
I'm so glad poor Deoric has found his way into friendly and helpful hands-- the wolf was friendly enough, but aside from being warm, she could not have been much further help. I like your old lady Lunet. It will be interesting to see how his convalescence plays out... But, oh! Poor Fana and Dirlayn! "Don't worry!" Right!
Author's reply
Thank you! The convalescence will be a crucial time...
Almaenes · 25 September 2009 · Chapter 7: Different perspectives
Hallo Virtuella, Sorry, this is not exactly a review, but a message from Pryderi, who saw no other way of letting you know that the reason he is not reviewing etc. at the moment is that has been in hospital for the past ten days or so with a complicated fracture of the shoulder ... no wireless available there. He was operated on yesterday and will be out in a week's time earliest. Cofion, Almaenes.
Author's reply
Good grief!I had been getting worried about him. Thanks so much for letting me know, and please give him my regards and a big (though very gentle, under the circumstances) hug!
Dreamflower · 23 September 2009 · Chapter 7: Different perspectives
First of all: SQUEEEEEEEEEEE!!! That came out very well-- I love that it was Fana who reveals that it's woodcarvers and craftsmen who have worked out the secrets of the knotwork. Now it will be so cool when Brecc can finally show his work to his master. I enjoyed Faramir and Eowyn's philosophical discussion. Of course, for the purposes of her argument, she took it to the extreme, but when Faramir thinks it over, he'll realize that in general it's still a good idea as long as it's tempered with *other* ideas as well. And most certainly Eowyn is right when she talks about caring more for those who are closest. A wolf. A young one who misses his pack. You know, it might very well work... Looking forward to more...
Author's reply
Thanks, I'm glad you're happy with the way I incorporated your idea. :) Utilitarianism does indeed have its merits as well as its weaknesses. I think it's more suited to the social-political arena though than for personal conduct. Otherwise, you couldn't buy an ice-cream for your child without buying ice-creams for all the children in the world...
Larner · 22 September 2009 · Chapter 7: Different perspectives
Ah, I do love this, Virtuella! The life at home going on, and the young wolf finding a warm body to comfort itself by! Exactly what Deoric needs at the moment, I think! Poor young man! Now, to see his rescue and the wolf NOT getting hurt in the process!
Author's reply
Thank you, I'll do what I can to save the wolf! ;-)
Raksha The Demon · 22 September 2009 · Chapter 7: Different perspectives
I'm not sure that Faramir would be quite so naive about human nature or politics; but the scene with Eowyn is charming. Deoric's found a furry friend; or, rather, a furry friend has found him. Didn't see that one coming; but at least 'Grey Brother' will help keep him warm. More soon, I hope!
Author's reply
I was thinking "idealistic" rather than "naive." Somehow he strikes me as the kind of person who would expect that after the end of the war "Good" would have won for good, and he might be surprised at teh small scale, petty evil. But I confess that he is not the ideal respesentative of emerging utilitarianism - just the best fit among the chaarcters I had available! Thanks for reviewing!
annmarwalk · 19 September 2009 · Chapter 6: The art of getting lost in the rain
*bites nails at cliffhanger ending* This is a glorious story. Not only the wonderfully vivid characterization, and the crisp, perfectly realized and realistic dialogue, but all the tiny details that add so much - things like how laundry was done, what the paint set looked like (and oh: all those pigments!), the taste and smell of mist and rain. I love rich descriptive writing, and your skills just shine here. 'Tis breathtaking. Other aspects of the story that make it particularly vivid is the surprise of the villagers when they discover that Deoric is not an oral historian - what a shock to the system that must have been! - and then when he totally dumbfounds them with the drawings. We've all heard stories of this type of thing happening, to explorers and anthropologists and sociologists of our not-too-distant past, but your taking that and reimagining it in Rohan is just a masterful stroke. Thank you so much for telling me about this! It was a lovely way to spend my afternoon.
Author's reply
Thank you very much! I do enjoy nature descriptions - always taking mental notes when I'm outdoors! Hopefully the next chapter will follow soon. My beta has been on holiday and then she's been ill, hence the delay.
Agape4Gondor · 30 August 2009 · Chapter 6: The art of getting lost in the rain
Needless to say, I had to sit back and take a breath at the ending of this chapter.... and it was so beautiful and peaceful and quite nice... Shees!
Author's reply
Yeah, nasty old me! ;-) I think I've been too nice to Deoric for a while...
Elflingimp · 30 August 2009 · Chapter 6: The art of getting lost in the rain
Ach! How could you leave it there??? Please update before I fall off the edge of my chair! LOL! Hugs The Imp
Author's reply
I'll update in about a week, I hope. It depends on my beta. So hold on to your chair. ;-)
Dreamflower · 30 August 2009 · Chapter 6: The art of getting lost in the rain
Oh no! Poor Deoric! And what's happened to Aldrid? *bites nails* What a cliffie, and totally unexpected. The writing in this chapter is so very vivid, it's like a painting itself-- you capture the land through which he travels and the feel of chill and damp and wet all to well-- I actually found myself shivering at one point. And of course, you continue to be coy on the subject of Ents, leaving the reader to imagine just who or what that strange tree he passed might have been... But now I'm all worried. His horse and supplies are gone, who knows what has happened to his colleague, and it looks very much as though he might have a broken arm as well...poor Deoric!
Author's reply
I do like my landscapes. Do you get that, too, that you go outdoors and look at the scenery and all the while take mental notes about things you want to use in stories?
Raksha The Demon · 29 August 2009 · Chapter 6: The art of getting lost in the rain
Uh-oh; Deoric's in trouble. Hope it's not a serious injury - hurry up and update!
Author's reply
I'll do my best. Not that I feel much pressure myself - after all, I know what happens next. ;-)
curiouswombat · 29 August 2009 · Chapter 6: The art of getting lost in the rain
Meep! Oh my goodness - that came as as much of a shock to me as to Déoric - well done!
Author's reply
Thank you!
Larner · 29 August 2009 · Chapter 6: The art of getting lost in the rain
What a horrible thing to have happen--to get attacked and not only lose his seat but to end up concussed down a gorge, or so it appears. It probably saved his life, though. I only hope he didn't prove Eomer right by losing the precious paints! Now, to see who saves him....
Author's reply
Thanks, Larner!
Larner · 24 August 2009 · Chapter 5: On the way
Interesting that he finds it to his advantage to hide his literacy from those whose stories he'd learn. And the painting sounds as if it definitely coming along! Love the details, and the description of the shining landscape with the sun at a low angle appearing as if it had been crafted by elves! How wonderful! I couldn't paint it, either!
Author's reply
Thank you. I saw that landscape some time last autumn and knew I had to work it into a story!
Dreamflower · 23 August 2009 · Chapter 5: On the way
Oh, what a treat to find a new chapter this evening! I quite enjoyed the villagers' astonishment at Deoric's writing and painting-- it was very wise of him to decide to keep those talents to himself after that experience! And in the old woman's tale of the two sisters and the giant, am I perhaps hearing about an enocunter with an Ent? (After all, giant was the original meaning of "ent" before JRRT got hold of the word!) His floating and swimming was a beautiful scene, and told very lyrically. You really captured that feeling of weightlessness and timelessness that floating can cause. I was reminded a bit of this story by the library book I'm currently reading. It's called The Food of a Younger Land was collated by Mark Kurlansky. It consists of the raw unedited material collected by writers all over the country during the end of the depression years. It was supposed to be a food about how "America Eats", but it is really more of a time capsule of oral tales and recipes told by people in various regions. Anyway, it made me think of Deoric and his task of gathering stories.
Author's reply
Thank you! The swimming scene is one of my favourites; I wrote it ages ago, long before I had any idea where it could go in the story. As for the Ent - maybe yes, maybe no... :D Your book sounds quite fascinating!
Agape4Gondor · 23 August 2009 · Chapter 5: On the way
What a lovely chapter. I do so like your 'painting' of the scenes. Lovely. As for our friend, he seems to be quite the ambassador - smart lad!
Author's reply
Thank you. I'm glad you've noticed that I'm trying to give the landscapes a "painted" feel.
Agape4Gondor · 15 August 2009 · Chapter 4: Pressing Questions
What a lovely chapter! I did so like the humor - and the two women with their wash. I'm going to be traveling soon myself and, am also leaving the packing and such to the listen minute. I must be mad. I am very concerned about the paints... I do so hope disaster does not hit our Deoric... One can always make excuses to make a decision appear right.... Yikes!
Author's reply
Thanks. The rained on laundry was written straight from real life... ;-)
Larner · 15 August 2009 · Chapter 4: Pressing Questions
Oh, I love this chapter! Deoric becomes rebellious; Leodric a semi-conspirator; Gleowine mysterious; Merry perhaps helpful.... Love what we see of the characters in this one!
Author's reply
Thank you, Larner. I'm glad this doesn't read like a philosophical treatise, which was a bit of a danger given my current interests in philosophy...
Agape4Gondor · 7 August 2009 · Chapter 3: Taking shape
Very, very nice in its simplicity. I loved the doodling.... Bless you for sharing this delightful tale.
Author's reply
Thanks. I like to doodle, too, but not with the same skill...