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| While We Dwelt in Fear by Pearl Took | 9 Review(s) |
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| cathleen | Reviewed Chapter: Epilogue on 1/19/2008 |
| Pearl, I'm kind of starting backwards here! I've read parts of the middle and the ending, and am now starting on the beginning. It looks like a magnificent story thus far. But then, how could it not be when you are the author? Thank you ahead of time for another great tale! Author Reply: It's a good thing you are so familiar with LOTR or none of this would make much sense with reading it that way :-) Thank you so much, you are too kind. You are welcome, and I hope you continue to enjoy it :-) | |
| ruby | Reviewed Chapter: Epilogue on 1/8/2008 |
| Loved it! I've always wanted to find a story about Took fairy blood! I don't have much to say from a critical point of view, but then I'm not a critic! Keep up the good work. Author Reply: Thank you so much ruby :-) I've written a few other stories that have touched on the Faerie blood in the Tooks. I'm so glad that you enjoyed my take on it. Thank you for your kind words! | |
| AspenJules | Reviewed Chapter: Epilogue on 6/9/2006 |
| Wow, Pearl. I started this story thinking it was simply going to explain your OC Cullasisul to me. I had no idea that it would change my view of the whole story of LOTR forever. I will never again be able to read the stories without imagining Esme at home living it through Pippen... or know what they were going through with a detail unimagined before. What a work you've created.... you've added depth, texture, color and pattern to a part of Tolkien's story that I always had a little trouble piecing together before. Such richness of detail, such wealth of imagination... I could go on and on. I wish I had been reading it as you were writing it.. as it was I got a little bit here and a little bit there and didn't review as I went along because I didn't want to be pulled out of the story any more than I already was. Let me just say, THANK YOU for your effort, work and dedication to such a wonderful story. *BIG Belated Hugs* AspenJules Author Reply: Thank you so very much, AspenJules :) It was a labor of love that went through many a dry time (writer's block) and many a time of hardly being able to stop writing and tend to real life. It was a story ripe for the telling that I knew would be a major work as there was so much that Tolkien hinted at but left untold. My biggest fear was the Took - Fairy connection and Cullassisul as it could be seen as bringing a bit of AU into the story and I wanted it to stay very close to the books. But the readers that left responses, they at least all enjoyed it and felt it fit Tolkien's universe well. Thank you for taking the time to read it and thank you for the kind compliments :) | |
| PIppinfan1988 | Reviewed Chapter: Epilogue on 4/16/2005 |
| "He and the others began to tear whatever cloth they had into strips to bind around any part of saddlery or bridle that was metal and might jingle as they walked through the fields and into the woods." - PT Brilliant!! Hehehe...so *this* is how they got past those ruffians? I love the forethought you put into this whole story. You have a wonderful imagination, Pearl. :-) And the reunion of Pippin and his parents--beautiful. I LOVE the part of Pippin offering his sword in the service of the Thain. So well done! Sam's taking his mother's shawl off her rocking chair was a sweet touch. The entire scene of Merry returning home was a beautful ending. So much love, and so many tears--not for just this chapter, but the story as a whole. (Applause, applause!) Bravo, Pearl! Stand up and take your bow! Thank you for this lovely story. :-) Pippinfan Author Reply: Heaven help me! I was looking at a new response here and what do I find? I find I never replied to you here! :-O I'm sure I did via chat or email, but how wrong to do nothing here at SOA. I'm so very sorry, Pippinfan. I'm so glad that all those wee touches made the ending for you. As you know this story took a lot out of me and it has meant so much that readers have liked it, but you in particular as you were there behind the scenes encouraging me all the way. Thank you so deeply. Hugs, Pearl | |
| Grey Wonderer | Reviewed Chapter: Epilogue on 3/6/2005 |
| Perfect in all respects. I loved Pippin and Esmeralda finally getting a moment together alone while Merry "cleared out the snakes." It was lovely to the very end. You did a brilliant job on this one! Author Reply: Thank you so very much. And thank you for staying with me to the end on this :) | |
| Larner | Reviewed Chapter: Epilogue on 3/5/2005 |
| Ah, lovely, lovely, lovely. Thanks for quite a tale. Author Reply: Thank you Larner :) I'm glad you enjoyed it all. Thank you so much for responding, it really means a lot :) Thank you again!!! | |
| Hai Took | Reviewed Chapter: Epilogue on 3/5/2005 |
| That was all so splendid! The way you described how bad things were getting for the hobbits, with the food running out and hobbit families wondering if they would have to eat their pets and things. The whole thing with Lotho's demise was so gross! That Saruman would trick Grima into killing Lotho, basically, and then for him to eat the hobbit, yuck! Although that did give a very believable idea as to where the knife came from the Grima used to kill Saruman later. It was very sad to see that the strongest hobbits were wearing down. That Saradoc and Paladin were trying to do their best yet knowing it wasn't enough. Saradoc trying to prepare everyone in the even they were found out and Paladin eventually being so affected that he couldn't speak of what was going on. What a dreadul homecoming these lads had! Although in a way I think it was good as it rather showed their quality to the rest of the Shire. Pippin ripping up his shirt and still keeping Merry's handkerchief. Was that only at the beginning of this story or was it another story all together? I must say I loved the reunions. Pippin scaring his poor Mum and pulling Paladin out of his gloom, then mustering the hobbits of Tookland. Dear Sam having to return home to find out that his Mum was gone. His Gaffer did seem to be so happy to see him yet so wonderfully in character. A bit ruff but loving. Merry returning home and the little bits of humor you put in the there like seeing the backside of it. Merry feeling bad he had left no word with them and Saradoc's reassurances that it wast he righ thing. That Esmeralda called them bother her sons was wonderful! When you mentioned that this wasn't going to end the way folks might like it you worried me but I think it ended well, although I must say I would have like to see Freddy's reunion with the Travellers a bit more, I know Tolkien mentions it but I always like reading about his being pulled from the Lockholes. I would have liked to see a bit more of Rosie and Sam but I guess we can't have everything ;) But I was very glad to see Pippin and Esme have a bit of a talk there at the end. To know that Esmeralda knows what happened would prove a bit of a comfort for him in a way, I would think. It was such a grand adventure! Thank you for giving such a wonderful look at exactly what the fairy blood might have been. Author Reply: Thank you, Hai! You wrote a novel here *blushing*. Tolkien hints at Wormtongue eating Lotho, and I just always felt that was indeed what happened. Poor Grima, to get driven to that point. Our lads getting to "show their quality" is the main reason that I was frustrated with PJ leaving the Scouring of the Shire out of the films. I always liked that it showed the strengths they gained as well as the hurts they all, though particularly Frodo, carried home. Merry's gift was only in this story, way back near the beginning :) Thank you for staying with this story. Thank you for responding so faithfully. Thank you. Thank you. :) | |
| shirebound | Reviewed Chapter: Epilogue on 3/4/2005 |
| Pearl, this story was simply amazing. I never dreamed what an epic you would write, and how it would evolve -- and I'll bet you didn't either! I hope you're very, very proud. You're a phenomenal writer, and have filled in a part of the story in a way that just leaves me breathless. There's not a thing wrong with the way you ended this. I especially adore Pippin offering his sword and service to the Thain of the Shire. Wow. *applauds loud and long* Author Reply: shirebound, dear friend and mentor, Thank you most deeply. You're right, I had no idea what I was getting into or I might have run and hid right off the start! Thank you so very much for all then encouragement you've given me and thank you for the applause. Thank you, Thank you, ever so much. | |
| Lindelea | Reviewed Chapter: Epilogue on 3/4/2005 |
| Ah, I am laughing and crying in the same breath. No, Pippin, I thought we'd just sneak up on them in the night like you did to your parents... What a lovely epilogue! I'm so glad. The perfect capper to the story, I think, and if I had time I would quote a lot of bits. VVWD (is that possible? a new acronym!) Author Reply: Whether possible or not, I'll take it!! ;) Thank you, Lin, for staying with me through all of this. Thank you for responding :) | |