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Don't Panic!  by Boz4PM 3 Review(s)
DaynawaynaReviewed Chapter: 20 on 12/30/2005
Once again... I can't say enough about The Saga of Penny In ME. Your depth of research and grasp of the Characters is Amazing. I can't wait to read more! One of my favorite things about your writing is your "British-isms"-- things you take for granted in your everyday language that make this American go.. "wait... what did that say? 'Talking nineteen to the dozen'? Huh..? OHHHhhhh!!! OK! Talking a mile a minute. Got it." ::giggles:: You made my husband laugh; he wants to use it now! LOL Your gift of understatement makes reading this story very enjoyable and surprising. :)

And Eru love Arwen for that snippit on Lindir! LOL!

Author Reply: Ack, sorry! I do tend to forget that some of the expressions I use are more Brit-centric and colloquial. At the same time, the narrator is mainly seeing things from Penny's POV, so perhaps it fits. *looks shifty* Well, that's my excuse, anyway.

So glad you (and hubby) are enjoying it all. :)

phoenix23531Reviewed Chapter: 20 on 12/14/2005
Yep, me again. Sorry 'bout this.
I forgot to mention earlier how entertaining your chapter titles have been. It's a great clue as to the tenor of the chapter, and always gives me a kick.
Again with the Boromir/Penny issue - it's a good thing I read this bit at home.
I'm also glad you covered the issue of 'unmarried non-virgin woman roaming the world alone' issue. This would have been a HUGE concern, especially given that she was found wandering alone in her pjs even had this happened 50 years ago. Says a little something about lifestyles nowadays, that this isn't a concern, doesn't it. No judgement calls here, just that it is strikingly different and has changed in such a short period of time.
Oh, my god! was the scene down by the river a hoot. I had tears on my cheeks from laughing so hard. Even now, having read the rest of the tale, I still chuckle over that one. Absolutely hilarious. Put that in the Mary Sue's pipe, eh? Fiendishly clever, that one. The gossip lines in a house of elves was truly and hysterically funny. And what can I say of Lindir. Hah!! Oh, I haven't laughed that hard in too long a time. Thank you so much. I think I'll keep that chapter handy for days when I need a pick-me-up.

Author Reply: Thanks for noticing the chapter titles. Very occasionally inspiration fails me, but I do like to make them mean something or be entertaining and and of themselves. There are several in the sequel that are song titles or skits on the same, for example.

Yes, the river scene and Lindir's subsequent embarrassment struck a chord with many, I think - and there is a lot of more of that sort of nonsense to come in the sequel, which (being set after the War) can afford to be a lot more light-hearted than much of Don't Panic is.

As for the unmarried non-virgin issue: yes, you are right. Even 40 years ago it still would have been a big deal. In some areas of the world, it still is. This will come back to haunt Penny both in this fic and the next.

BodkinReviewed Chapter: 20 on 12/10/2005
Poor Penny. Trying to avoid the Son of Gondor - and now he thinks she fancies him. And he's being kind. It's almost enough to make you want to go up to the big lug and tell him he's not long for the world.

I don't blame her for putting the linguistic boot in on Lindir. Bad enough being embarrassed in the first place - with a sight that could cause hot flushes and nightmares - but to have the elf harping on about it! Good bit of ammunition provided by Arwen there.

Author Reply: I don't blame her for putting the linguistic boot in on Lindir. Bad enough being embarrassed in the first place - with a sight that could cause hot flushes and nightmares - but to have the elf harping on about it!
It also sets up the basis of their friendship - an important element in the sequel.

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