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| Beyond This World by Thundera Tiger | 8 Review(s) |
|---|---|
| Arya | Reviewed Chapter: Epilogue on 1/13/2006 |
| Wow Thundera! This story really touched me! To tell you the truth, I cried about four times while I read. Especially when Legolas died. Though I wish he could have lived, I do not deny that the ending was very intersting. I tought he was going to get over it. But then again, they were really good friends. I guess this just proves that the mind is very powerful. Author Reply: Glad you were touched. This piece stretches Tolkien's canon further than any of my other stories, so I'm always a bit nervuos when people read it. But I'm happier you liked it and even happier that you took time to send me a review. Thank you very much! | |
| Estel_Mi_Olor | Reviewed Chapter: Epilogue on 3/11/2005 |
| My goodness, Thundera Tiger, I believe you are the only person other than Tolkien himself who could do justice to the death of Gimli and Legolas's subsequent choice. I have never read anything so poignant or beautifully writter, either fanfiction or published, in my life. I am totally moved, in fact there are still tears in my eyes. How absolutely fitting that Gimli would know that Legolas would choose death. How beatiful to have the Fellowship reunited in death, except Gandalf of course. The last chapter was the perfect ending. My favorite part however, is that Legolas conquered death by choosing it. I don't know if you meant this to be a profound metaphor, but I think this is exactly what Jesus Christ meant for the second coming. If you are Christian or have any idea what I am talking about...ok I'll stop that tangent. Anyways, thank you so very much for articulating this moment. I know many of us, myself included, have pondered the events that occured after the two friends sailed to Valinor, but I believe you have done the best job at expressing this thoughts. I do not know enough adjectives to praise this work, so I'll stop wasting your time. But I am sincerely grateful. Author Reply: Hey there! I'm very glad you liked this story. I went out on several limbs for it (and broke a few canon limbs altogether) but I like the end results. And the idea of conquering death by choosing it is something that's stuck with me ever since reading about the Numenorean kings. They didn't start to decline until after they began refusing death, which is a fascinating concept for me. Incidentally, I am a Christian, and I understood your comments about Christ. I never thought of this story as referencing that at all, but it's an interesting take. I'll have to think about that a bit more. Anyway, glad you liked this story and thanks for giving me some food for thought as well! Many thanks for the review! | |
| Lily Took | Reviewed Chapter: Epilogue on 4/24/2004 |
| I read this story on a whim, much as you say you wrote it on one. I was interested about how you would handle Gimli's passing, for it was your stories that first got me fascinated by Legolas's and Gimli's friendship (hobbits composing almost all of my reading material). I do not believe I have ever cried so hard while reading fanfiction. The tears flooded out from the description of Merry and Pippin's death and did not relent until the middle of your author's notes. As I write this, I fear I am in peril of breaking down once again. The raw emotions, beautiful, Tolkien-esque dialogue, and characters completely in-character all weave together to make this story one of power. Your word choice is precise and, upon first read, I could find nothing to change (although I must admit that I was too lost in the story to view it from the perspective of an editor). The sunrise and the phrase "the speed of a wizard and the tenacity of a hobbit" were especially vivid. The use of brief humor was also effective, for it both allowed depression to diminish for a moment as I laughed through my tears at Gimli "accidentally" leaving them in the dark for an hour, and underscored the friendship and therefore the loss. Thank you so much for the privilege of being allowed both to read your work and catch a glimpse into one of the greatest friendships in Middle-earth. Author Reply: Thank you very much for your kind words! I was especially grateful for your comments about the use of humor. My opinion is that if you go for a complete sob story without lightening the mood at all, you go completely overboard. There has to be balance, and humor shows that it's not all tears and weeping. There's joy here, too, although it's somewhat more diminished than usual. That said, I do apologize for making you cry. I tried to write something moving, not necessarily something teary. They occasionally go hand-in-hand, though, so if the tears were a problem, I'm sorry. Anyway, thank you again, and I'm flattered that my stories got you interested in the friendship between Legolas and Gimli. It's the most fascinating aspect of the books in my opinion, and I'm so glad I managed to hook someone else into it. Thank you again! | |
| fadagaski | Reviewed Chapter: Epilogue on 3/6/2004 |
| I could have sworn I reviewed this! Maybe at ffnet? Anyway, here I am, with the other reviewers, come to tell you that you made me sob like ... a widow, I suppose. I've never really focused on Legolas or Gimli, yet the way you wrote their actions (and reactions) in this piece is incredible. I have never been moved so much by literature of any kind, never mind fanfic (the supposedly 'lesser' kind - HA! You've thrown that into debate). Don't know if you've ever seen this fanart, but I was browsing through deviantART when this popped up: http://www.deviantart.com/view/1199834/ It's a gorgeous picture, but the artist is right - it really doesn't do the story justice. A picture may be worth a thousand words, but a thousand of your words are priceless. I have a lump in my throat again! Author Reply: Thanks for the link! I've actually seen that before and it's also on the Axe and Bow website, but I'm flattered you thought to send the link my way. Thanks so much! And thank you even more for your very kind words. It means so much to me when people decide that fanfic could compete with real fic as far as quality goes. Because that's what I aim for, and when someone tells me I hit the mark, it makes it all worthwhile. Thanks so much! | |
| runaround | Reviewed Chapter: Epilogue on 1/11/2004 |
| thank you for making me cry like a baby...... | |
| *~SuGaR~* | Reviewed Chapter: Epilogue on 12/14/2003 |
| ok...no crying this time...*sigh*...so sweet, so sad... better stop now...might start crying again... *~SuGaR~* | |
| Orophins Dottir | Reviewed Chapter: Epilogue on 12/5/2003 |
| I always had every good intention to review this story. It was one of the first I ever read, and tonight I have re-read it. Of the many I have read, this still remains the one which moved me most. I know what will happen and still I cry. Yet, the tears are joy. I believe that it was the right decision for Legolas to make. My deepest belief about these books is that the relationship between the elf and the dwarf is the most important to understanding them. The love of one of Tolkien's "beautiful people" for the despised dwarves, who only escaped destruction because Aule was forgiven their creation. The dwarves who were forced to wait until the elves lived. All those PC police who accuse Tolkien of racism, should somehow be forced to see the great love he created between two of the most disparate of his peoples. The fact that the one creature Legolas needed to take with him from Arda was a dwarf is astounding. I totally agree with you that he would choose Gimli over his own immortality. Shall I get off my soapbox now? I say to you thank you and well done. I also hope that you are well and have not given up with your stories. It has been long since you updated. Some of us yet wait upon "Land of Light and Shadows"! Humble Scribe to his Majesty Thranduil | |
| frodo16424 | Reviewed Chapter: Epilogue on 8/24/2003 |
| What an ending! Very good. Shoukld be rated a six-kleenex story. Some friendships should survive death, and be eternal, such as this one has. Glad to have eight of nine together singing the song of Arda. | |