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A Took by Any Other Name  by Lindelea 7 Review(s)
CuthalionReviewed Chapter: 5 on 2/21/2005
Wonderful! Frightening and disturbing, but absolutely marvelous. Again - please don't change a thing, will you?

Author Reply: I am going to direct my editor-friend to your comment, first thing (no doubt she's already abed by now, as I ought to be).

I have the feeling she'll turn cartwheels... while I'm usually the one who hates to cut the "fat" from the text, we were having quite a time of it trying to figure out how to revise the chapter, if we revise the chapter.

I just don't know if this one chapter will cause the entire tale to be R-rated, which would make it off=limits to younger readers, like my 15yo author-friend (who probably writes more graphic battle scenes than this little cookery lesson). Not sure how ratings work.

Thanks!

Hai TookReviewed Chapter: 5 on 2/9/2005
Poor Diamond! It must have been awful and terrifing the first time she heard Pippin speaking in his sleep about such things! I'm glad though she had used it to her best advantage and his!

I was glad that Estella ended up listening, it is something she needs to know as well. Maybe she can help Merry, although he doesn't actually go to sleep these days does he? Although I'm sure there are other ways she will find to help!

Looking forward to more!

Author Reply: Posted more, and another half-chapter written, though if I'll finish it before the weekend is anyone's guess.

I was glad Estella listened, for I wouldn't want to have to go through writing it out again!

Thanks.

Grey WondererReviewed Chapter: 5 on 2/8/2005
Very well done. Both of them so brave and yet so sickened by what they were speaking about. It seems Pippin's talking in his sleep is both a blessing and a curse. Now, I wonder how Estella will handle the news and if she will be able to help Merry through all of this. Just do have to mention hos much I liked this line from Esmeralda:

‘I’ve faced all sorts of fears. Being Mistress of Buckland is no tray of teacakes.’


Also, I loved that they tried to keep things in terms of food rather than what it really was for as long as possible. Great chapter!

Author Reply: Sometimes the little ones talk in their sleep; you can actually follow the conversation at times!

I think Estella is stronger than anyone gives her credit for. She may appear to be delicate, but she has a core of fine steel. If she were a weapon I think she'd be a foil or rapier(? if I am remembering correctly what that is), appearing fragile but in actuality very flexible and strong. She'll make a good Mistress of Buckland some day.

Thanks!

LarnerReviewed Chapter: 5 on 2/8/2005
Ah, yes, the Uruk-hai would probably have included cookery lessons in their verbal torment, wouldn't they?

Author Reply: Yes. I can only imagine that, frustrated by their inability to torment the captives satisfactorily on the long run to Isengard, they'd have used words to inflict as much pain and terror as possible.

But we are considering how, and if, to tone down the chapter, if only to keep the entire story from gaining the R-rating. Tough choices.

Thanks.

BodkinReviewed Chapter: 5 on 2/8/2005
Dark. Very dark. As it should be. Playing with orcs is not like an evening in the Green Dragon.

Poor Diamond, listening to Pippin re-live all the least pleasant parts of his adventure. I can imagine him being unable to keep it in as he sleeps - he lives on the outside of his skin rather. Merry keeps things much closer to his chest - and would be as determined to protect Estella as he always was to shield Pippin.

Gruesome to listen to at the best of times - but hearing it and realising it could have so easily happened to your son and nephew. I'm not surprised Esmeralda was upset.

Author Reply: ah, Mistress of Understatement.

I'm with Esmeralda; the images were quite upsetting to me, and yet I couldn't "banish" them until I had "got them out" by writing them down.

Thanks!

Connie B.Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 2/8/2005
I really like your Diamond. She's strong and smart and so supportive of her husband. So many authors have them in an unhappy marriage. Not that I don't enjoy some of those portayals, but yours is a refreshing change of pace.

The orcs really are nasty creatures. This is made so clear by this chapter. I mean we know they are cruel, brutal and have no love for other living things, but to do what they do to prisioners they plan to eat is horrible. This must have been a hard chapter to write. Just thinking about anyone, let alone my beloved Pippin, going through any of that is very unsettling.

Thanks again for a great chapter. More please.:)

Connie B.

Author Reply: Just wanted to let you know, no updates until Monday--absolutely swamped. Not even time to answer reviews 'til then!

But thanks for commenting, I really look forward to Monday!

SaoirseReviewed Chapter: 5 on 2/8/2005
Oh, my... how terribly sickening. I know tonight I shall perhaps pass on the chicken, and maybe have potatoes instead! Poor Pippin, and Merry!

I am quite glad that Estella snuck in. Good for you lass, now help Mer!

Author Reply: Yes, like Pippin I can say I'll never quite look at food the same way again.

Estella is fine steel clothed in elegance. I think she'll do fine. Now if I can just nudge the Muse into showing that part of the story...

Thanks.

Author Reply: On second thought, "elegance" doesn't sound very hobbity. So perhaps I mean what passes for elegance for hobbits!

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