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| Many fruitless victories by perelleth | 6 Review(s) |
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| Vana Tuivana | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 9/6/2005 |
| You, my dear, are simply amazing. I love how you tie together so many little details so smoothly that the bindings go almost unnoticed - with the South American myths, current and future environmental issues, and of course our favorite Elves. Of course, it wouldn't be me without the grammar nitpick, so here it is. In the last paragraph, "had ringed" sounds awkward; a change to "rang" would be more concise and 'feel' better as well. And it's on to the next chapter for Vana! Author Reply: Thanks for the nitpicking, as usual, Vana! :-) I'm so glad that you found this interesting, It kind of hit me, but I was worried that the foot notes, the modern, future times! and all that strange stuff would make no sense to anybody except me...:-) | |
| phoenix23531 | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 6/12/2005 |
| Wow! I cannot tell you how refreshing it is to read something with both a social conscience and a wonderful insight and imagination, set with Tolkein's characters and concepts to boot! I truly enjoyed reading this chapter, particularly the keen insights and intriguing depiction of a future not too far away. Without being melodramatic or bitter, your depiction of the environmental future of both the natural and cultural changes that will likely result from our current apathy shows both keen understanding, a wealth of research already undertaken, and a tremendous marriage of current events and Tolkien's own environmental leanings. Congratulations! and may there be much more to come! All the best, phoenix23531 Author Reply: Well, thank you for kind words! I'm glad this is working for you! ;-) As you say, our current situation can very likely lead us to a similar situation, and the story tries to show how some poeple (and lingering elves!) still keep fighting their best despite the uselessness of the effort. That, to me, is very Tolkienish, together with his abiding love for nature, although a bit updated here... ;-) I hope you keep enjoying, and thanks again for your suport! | |
| Redheredh | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 6/4/2005 |
Transfering the milieu to future Paris and still have a contemporary protaganist was neatly done. This approach had a nice SF flavor to it. It was great how this opening episode set up things so smoothly. The classic start, an invitation from a mysterious stranger to join a strange quest, was entertaining and well-written. Like the prologue, it explains the premise and hero without being slow or boring. Dr. Feldman is a wonderful archetypal heroic-gentleman-scientist and yet remains an individual character. I can see why Claire likes him. I certainly do. Feldman's subconscious answer to Silvertree's question about where he lived was excellent. And the way you got the paper mail and notes and Feldman's old-fashioned sensiblities to work together, in what probably is a even more networked world than today, was well done. Silvertree knowing what kind of persuasion to use on the doctor was appropriately subtle. However, what impressed me most was your background research. A good combination of real cultural myth to work in conjuction with Tolkien's and the scientific theories added more of the previously mentioned SF feel to the story. Call it speculative fiction or science fiction or science fantasy, it is a realistic and intelligent genre. Mix in a little supernatural or paranormal, in this case I guess supranatural, element and you have a fasinating adventure waiting to happen. And having to wait for the next chapter to happen is the only bad thing about this story so far. Author Reply: Wow! You like good Sci fi, too? I grew up with that. I love the classics, and Arthut C. Clarke is my all-time favourite. I'd say taht the elves are the "overnatural" or even extra-natural element, here, in the sense that, being part of Arda, they have lived to see how the "guests" bring it to the brink f destruction, while they have the knowledge for living in perfect harmony with their environment. Sad, for them, as it is for those who fight relentlessly to make things happen and have good things going on. I'm glad you liked Dr. Fedmman, I'm so fond of him, too. I can promise that it won't take too long to update, although it won't be before next weekend. Have a nice week, and thanks again for your support! | |
| daw the minstrel | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 6/4/2005 |
| OK. I'm in love with your Thranduil already. But then you probably knew that. This is progressing wonderfully. I'd never before thought about the analogy between the drowning of Beleriand and the predicted effects of global warming. Author Reply: OK. I'm in love with your Thranduil already. But then you probably knew that. :-) I'm not greedy, I can share! What about exchanging? I'm not surprised you never made the connection, I'm yet to find someone who had, but then, this is part of my daily diet, so no wonder! I'm so relieved you didn't find it too boring, i feared it was a bit too Ocish and "scholarly"... | |
| Nilmandra | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 6/4/2005 |
| Oh, a future story! I have been thinking about elves being in our world at the end of days, and suddenly here is a story. I like the four elves together, joking and teasing, and then the way that Celeborn presents himself in this second chapter. The elves would know and understand what is happening in the world, but they will understand better than anyone the undesirable melancholy that the good doctor finds himself under. I imagine being human and not tied to Arda as the elves are only makes it worse. I look forward to seeing where you take this. Author Reply: Well, thanks! I'm thrilled to see you all on board (and a bit impressed too!) I don't read future stories, and now I'm writing one! But I've often thought of these particular two sindarin lords in present days, mostly when I meet brave people doing their lot to improve things and caring for their environment, and always think that had they remained, elves would be found in these remote places, doing their part. I keep searching! :-) I think the poor doctor will feel better once he's allowed a god night sleep! I hope you're recovering well, Nilmandra! | |
| French Pony | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 6/4/2005 |
| Awright! I'm going to like this story. I love stories where modern technology takes on ancient ritual and wisdom. This has a lovely science-fiction-y feel to it. The scientist is appropriately cynical (I love his apartment), and the Elves are so very Elvish, completely in control to outsiders, but still with four distinct personalities of their own. I am so going to like reading this story. I hadn't really known that it was a drought in the 60s and 70s that made for the famine in the 80s. I remember being very little in the 80s and learning about how The Starving African Children Had No Food, and there was a sense that this was how it had always been, and how it would always be, no matter how many pennies we collected for UNICEF at Halloween. Author Reply: So glad to hear from you! I...was.. a bit reluctant, for I do not usually read modern time stories and lo! I'm writing one! but this whole thing struck me some weeks ago, I suppose so many experiences have been brewing and then came out this way... Ancient wisdom,yes, but not outdated, as we sadly forget only too often, exchanging ancient practices for modern technology without knowing the inner meaning of the whole system..Geee. I could rant for hours about this. I, too, love Dr.Feldman's apartment. Some things I lent to him, some others.. I covet...:-)It was fun to imagine this four elves as council members of their own company, glad it worked! Well. the famine was caused by lack of food, which had been a constant through the sixties and seventies, due to drought, and aggravated by a revolution in the early 80's, which disrupted the distribution system for the already scarce food and caused the big catastrophe of the 80's. But the monsoon didn't came for ten years on row, and that's were it all started. I so do hope that you'll enjoy it! | |