News Resources
Login
Become a member
Help
Search
|
|
| About Us News Resources
Login
Become a member
Help
Search
|
|
|
| Thain by Lindelea | 7 Review(s) |
|---|---|
| Larner | Reviewed Chapter: 18 on 11/14/2004 |
| Okay, now I'm following this one, and can't wait to read more of it. Author Reply: Words to warm the cockles of any author's heart (whatever those may be!). Thanks! More to come in the next day or two, I hope. | |
| jodancingtree | Reviewed Chapter: 18 on 11/13/2004 |
| Oh, Lindelea, I like this tremendously! Yes, indeed, I think Frodo is very true to character, and the whole chapter is wonderful - now I'll have to go back to the beginning and read it properly... jo Author Reply: O thank you, Jo. Appreciate the check--you write Frodo so wonderfully, you know! I will be curious to hear your thoughts on the story. It's been a challenge to write two seemingly-unrelated stories into one, and I hope the connexion between them comes clear as the story progresses. Thanks for stopping by! | |
| Grey Wonderer | Reviewed Chapter: 18 on 11/13/2004 |
| I can see Frodo wanting to rescue Pippin from exile. I can also see poor Pippin's point in all of this. He is at least gaining soe respect from the shepherd even if he is losing his last few years of fun. Better than life with Paladin. Seems Frodo and Pippin did have much in common. Looking forward to more. Hope the cold is better or even, gone? Author Reply: The cold is getting better, thanks. Not gone yet, and I have to be careful that it doesn't disappear and come back as bronchitis. (Don't know why that happens.) Like you, I'm glad Frodo wants to rescue Pippin, but realises that his young cousin might be better off with the shepherd and decides to leave things alone. Thanks! | |
| Bodkin | Reviewed Chapter: 18 on 11/13/2004 |
| You know, I find Pippin immensely more likeable in this chapter. He seems to have a much better understanding of himself and his relationship with his father. The old shepherd has been very good and nurturing for him. However, there must be twists to come, because I can't see Paladin leaving his only son and heir to spend seven years with sheep. Author Reply: Yes, the old shepherd has been an excellent influence. He's planted quite a few seeds that will come to fruition in later years. Probably if Pippin had stayed with him the seven years, the whole history I've written for him would be completely different. You're right about twists to come, though I think Paladin *would* leave his son with the shepherd, so long as he was getting good reports. He's a wise manager, even if he cannot control his temper "up close and personal". Gee I hope that made sense. It's late and I ought to hit the pillow. Thanks for commenting! | |
| Lyta Padfoot | Reviewed Chapter: 18 on 11/12/2004 |
| Wonderful chapter. I've been plagued by nasty computer problems and unable to review your stories lately. Pippin is starting to appreciate things, to judge by his comment on business, but he has yet to obtain the maturity to apply that understanding where it would help. Frodo's visit was splendid, I imagine Pippin probably is very lonely. I'm curious to see how Pippin's time with the shepherd ends. Author Reply: Sorry to hear about your nasty computer problems. BTDT. It was so nice to hear from you again! Your curiosity ought to be satisfied in the next chapter or so. Thanks for stopping in and leaving a comment! | |
| Connie B. | Reviewed Chapter: 18 on 11/12/2004 |
| This was an interesting chapter. It had so many layors and levels. The thought of Pippin only avoiding a possible fatal prank because he was with the shepherd was unsettling. Frodo's sense of not belonging was sad. He must have had the same kind of behavior as an adopted child who's been shipped from foster family to foster family. It must have taken him a long time to believe that someone could love him unconditionally. I feel for Pippin, too. He must really feel that he is better off allowing himself to be sold into seven years of servitude than facing life with his father. If Paladin hadn't already sealed his fate with his son, it's sealed now. True, Pippin is learning responsibility, but he's not learning the love of his own family. If things remained as they are, and Paladin didn't find himself becoming Thain, I seriously doubt he'd have ever seen much of his son again. I think Pippin would have done anything possible to avoid contact with his father. What is going to happen when the Thainship passes to Paladin? If Pippin accepts the seven years of apprenticeship he'll still have at least two years to go, and what will the Tooks say about a Thain that has a son as an apprentice shepherd? Something about Pippin's resolve makes me sad. It seems so far removed from the carefree young hobbit that he's been. Thanks for such a thought-pervoking chapter. Connie B. Author Reply: You're most welcome. I appreciate your thoughtful comments. (Sure glad the computer didn't swallow them this time!) Very insightful, comparing Frodo to the adopted child who'd bounced from one family to another, for I'm sure that was in the back of my mind when I was writing the chapter. And I think you're spot on about Pippin. He loves his father, and he desperately wishes to please his father (as children do) but he doesn't see much chance of it happening, because (for some reason) when they're thrown together he gets this contrary urge to throw off the restraints. It's hard to live with a controlling type. Right now he's in the best situation: he knows he's honouring his father, even pleasing him, by working well for the old shepherd. Sad that it's something he *can't* do at home. Paladin isn't due to be Thain for another five years or so, but things are going to be changing soon for Pippin even before that time. Thanks! | |
| FantasyFan | Reviewed Chapter: 18 on 11/12/2004 |
| You know how much I love it when Frodo appears in your stories. When he showed up, I wanted to run down the hill and hug him along with Pippin. This chapter makes me love him all the more. How self-possessed he is, and what a struggle he had to go through to get to that point. If we are the summation of all our life experience, Frodo's losses and the choices that he made as a result of them certainly had to contribute to making him the 'best hobbit in the Shire'. It's quite amazing to see this young Pippin on the edge of the same kind of self-awareness. What's also funny is that both Frodo and Pippin will be misunderstood by the hobbits around them. Frodo is 'cracked' and Pippin is 'a wastrel': perhaps because they are sure of themselves, and thus free to follow their own hearts, they are concerned less than the average hobbit about how they appear to others? Of course, Frodo did eventually crack, and Pippin was a troublemaker and relatively thoughtless for many years, so there is more to the development of leadership and greatness than simple self-awareness. Much more. I wonder how long this story is going to be? You hint about Paladin (and Bucca) becoming Thain; and that seems far off from here, so are we in for a long read? FF Author Reply: Very thought-provoking; called names because they are sure of themselves, and not necessarily compelled to toe the line society has drawn for them. There is much more: add to that (coming) resentment and rebellion on Pippin's part (and not for something Paladin does, interestingly enough) and you have much more character development as well. This is going to be one of the longer ones, perhaps as long as "Rope" the way the chapters are breaking off of the outline. Of course, if I split it into two stories they would each be about the length of "Jewels", perhaps. It is partly because I write short chapters: easier editing, and easier on my attention span, and just all-around easier to "balance". Hope you don't mind extreme length. Thanks for taking the time to comment. | |