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| The Importance of Being a Hobbit by Lamiel | 9 Review(s) |
|---|---|
| Budgielover | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 9/27/2005 |
| How delightful to have such a close, canon-based look inside Merry's head! Your Merry is so well developed and 'real' yet adheres perfectly to Professor Tolkien's. I loved reading about Merry's self-doubt and his worry over both his cousins, and most especially, his place in the Fellowship. This is a well-thought out and intelligent story. | |
| French Pony | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 9/26/2005 |
| Happy birthday! This is a fun story. I like the look at Merry struggling with his pride. It seems that he's never really had to think about whether or not he's a brave warrior. But he's responsive to his surroundings, and he sees that at this point in time, being a warrior is something useful. It must be hard for him to not only have to readjust his priorities like that, but then to come out on the not-good-enough end of things as well. By the way, I know I've kind of gotten off of This Present Darkness. I was having some problems with ffn this summer, and then I just got out of the habit of reading things there. I try to remind myself to pick it up again, because I do want to find out what happens, but I may not get to it instantly, as I'm working on a thesis. But I haven't forgotten it, and one day, I will pick it up again. Promise. | |
| Grey Wonderer | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 9/26/2005 |
| This shows Merry frustration so well. He wants to be treated like an equal but he is worried that he doesn't merrit that. This is a wonderful story so far and I am enjoying it very much. I loved Sam's insistance that Merry eat while they had plenty and Merry's thoughts and worries about what might happen to Pippin in a real battle. | |
| Larner | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 9/26/2005 |
| Ah, but soon Merry will find there is need, and need. Frodo needs to have his family near, to sustain his hope when he can't carry it himself any more. He needs to have them as the reminder of what will be saved if he is successful. Well written. Author Reply: Thank you. Frodo truly did what no other could, but ultimately I feel that LOTR is a story about the vital importance of friendship, and family, and love. The Fellowship was just that, and all its members played a part in the saving of Middle-earth. | |
| TithenFeredir | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 9/26/2005 |
| This is written with such a nice, light touch. I sympathize Merry, feeling like a fifth wheel and wanting so much to be a contributor in the quest. You do a good job of implying the practiced competemce of the bigger members of the fellowship as well as the dangers that the group faces. It emphasizes Merry's inadequacy in this situation, but that is counterbalanced by his determination to be useful. I suspect he will get a chance to prove his worth. ~TF | |
| Bodkin | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 9/26/2005 |
| I don't feel capable of reviewing intelligently - but this is just great. I love Merry - his doubts are so reasonable, and just so much the kind of doubt that that intelligent, organised, self-sufficient hobbit would display. As are his frustrations. (Love the detail. Aragorn is just so seriously grubby. I'm sure Arwen insisted that he be steam-cleaned before she would consent to retire to a bedchamber with him.) Author Reply: Steam-cleaned! Yes! Oh, you just launched a whole slew of new plot-bunnies for me. Thank you. To me Merry always seemed the most eager of the Hobbits to try new things and embrace the warrior culture that he found himself in. We saw some of his frustration in the books and the film, so I felt it a natural aspect to explore. | |
| daw the minstrel | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 9/26/2005 |
| You do such a nice job of embodying this story, Lamiel. Merry's thought, feelings, and words are central, of course, but you use great details to make the whole thing feel like it's happening in a real place with real people rather than to talking heads. I like the questions you're raising too. I think fanfic writers sometimes underestimate the hobbits, even when they obviously love them. Author Reply: As an Elf lover, I know that I can occasionally undervalue the Hobbits, even though I know that Frodo and truly Sam are the ultimate heroes of the story. It was fun to explore the Fellowship from (what was for me) a new perspective, and I think I gained some insight into why Tolkien made the Hobbits the heroes in the first place. I'm glad you liked it. | |
| Dreamflower | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 9/26/2005 |
| I really need to go run some errands, but I could not *possibly* sign off without telling you how lovely this is. You may not write hobbits much, but you certainly have good insight into them. I remember noting when I read "In the Deep Places" that you had some wonderful insight into their interaction with one another and with the rest of the Fellowship. Can't wait to get home and discover Chapter 2. Your Merry is *perfect*. Author Reply: This is my first Merry-centric story (I have written one other hobbit-elf fic, featuring Sam, which is not currently on the web). I'm always nervous about writing Hobbits, so I really appreciate your feedback, Dreamflower. I was determined that Merry not be relegated to the usual "indistinguishable back-up hobbit," or even worse, "the one that isn't Pippin." I'm so glad that you like this take on him. | |
| EllyBaggins | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 9/26/2005 |
| this story is exploring some points that i don't think have been explored enough in the past. it's great that someone's paying attention to the hobbits' views of the warriors and exactly where they stand in the fellowship. your characterisation is absoloutely brilliant. i'm off to read chapter 2! Author Reply: I've read quite a few stories in which the Hobbits demonstrate the value of companionship and ordinary life, but few that explore it from the Hobbits' perspective in contrast to the experienced warriors around them. This was a fun challenge for me, and I'm glad that you enjoyed it. | |