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Book Learning by Branwyn	8 Review(s)
Larner	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 11/4/2006
Now you have me giggling. Is it the same poor farmer and the same abused basket of turnips! Poor Eowyn, and poor Faramir, both trying their best in the earliest portion of their marriage, trying to make certain they're doing it right! And Eraden must be enjoying himself hugely, undoubtedly having seen a constant stream of youths (and perhaps a few maidens) and young marrieds poring through this book over the past how many decades? Heh! Author Reply: Yes, that is probably the most popular book in the library, bound in new covers numerous times as the old ones were worn to tatters. :-D I am glad you are enjoying the story, and thanks for reviewing!

Stefania	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 7/4/2006
Ah, Eowyn's problems seem to echo the problems of women (men, too) over the centuries. It's fun to see how you have cast Tolkien's heroic archetypes with the sexual problems that have plagued people since Adam, Eve, and maybe even Lucy, our proto-humanoid ancester in Africa 5 million years ago. Your story is delightful, even if this review sounds like it comes from one up past her bedtime. Can't wait to see more. - Stefania Author Reply: I am glad to hear that you enjoyed the story. I have no idea why I didn't answer this review back in July (unless maybe I was up past my bedtime when it arrived), but thanks so much for sending it.

Bodkin	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 6/23/2006
It's not much a life, being a farmer with a basket of turnips. I'm glad Eowyn thought of someone who could help her, though. She is much more likely to find relevant information from an outspoken daughter of Rohan than some refined Gondorian who would only hint at the answers. And books aren't really going to do it for her. (I love Master Eradan. He did his best.) Thinking of rather innocent Faramir and Eowyn bumbling through their wedding night is sweet - they would be two who have not really grasped the subtleties of l'amour. They are both a little reserved behind their competent, Nazgul-slaying exteriors. I look forward to finding out more of their journey toward knowledge! Author Reply: "It's not much of a life, being a farmer with a basket of turnips." And not much of a role in the story, little better than a walk-on. :-D Yes, books aren't going to do it for her. As a king's daughter she would have been taught to read (and didn't her grandmother come from Gondor?), but she does come from a society which is not highly literate. Her learning style would probably be more verbal and hands-on rather than based on processing the written word. And it doesn't help that she doesn't know the strange medical terms used by the author of the book! Thanks so much for your kind comments!

Julia	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 6/19/2006
Lovely description of F/E's wedding night, passionate but not icky! So Eowyn couldn't find any help at the library, but she wisely chooses to seek counsel from one of her own countrywomen who lives in MT. I hope she gets the answers she is after! Author Reply: I am glad to hear that the wedding night scene was not offensively graphic; I am new to writing romance/erotica (action/adventure is my usual genre) so I am still feeling my way, so to speak. :-D Thanks for your kind comments! Brawnyn

annmarwalk	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 6/19/2006
What a poignant chapter. You've gotten Eowyn's voice down perfectly: shy maid, proud daughter of Eorl, confuzzled bride. The cermonial rituals are very well envisioned and described, as well as the marital act itself - poor girl! All her knowledge of animal husbandry was of little use in this instance. (Though the country girl does emerge again, when she's studying the textbook: "The men bore huge members, worthy of a studhorse, and the smiling women had breasts like great, round cheeses." LOL!) You've really made us feel for her confusion and isolation, a common experience for new brides through all Ages. I'm glad she's thought of someone who will hopefully be able to give her the understanding and guidance she seeks. Author Reply: "Confuzzled" is a great word, and it describes her state of mind exactly! She is a plain-spoken woman who usually has no trouble speaking her mind, but she has no experience discussing these matters, and it does not help that she is married to a rather reserved and modest man. No, Eowyn's knowledge of animal husbandry would help her only on a most basic level (basic meaning "insert Part A into Part B"). Like humans, horses do have mating rituals, but they also have a different physiology which includes four legs and an estrus cycle. Eowyn might react violently if Faramir started nipping and biting at her flanks. :-D I am glad that you are enjoying this story, and thanks so much for for your kind comments! Branwyn

harrowcat	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 6/19/2006
I am glad that she has finally found someone to talk to without damaging either hers or Faramir's reputations. This should prove interesting. And that poor farmer! g Author Reply: Even calm, sensible Faramir would scarcely be pleased at the thought that his wife was discussing their sex life with his friends and acquaintances. Especially since he is not very well-versed in the secrets of the bedchamber. But, luckily, Faramir is a quick study, so he is learning. :-D Thanks for reviewing! Branwyn

ellethill	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 6/19/2006
Another beautiful chapter! I loved the way you wrote Eowyn's thoughts, so well in keeping with the situation and the time she lived in. It makes sense that she would have been more of a recluse at home, and kept away from gossip that, as you said, would not have befitted her. The description of the wedding night was wonderful, you captured very well her skittishness and drew very well her thoughts. I'm feeling really warm towards the lore-master for his quiet little 'help', and especially for keeping a straight-face; very considerate and tactful, not to mention shrewd - I liked the twitch of his eyebrow! I like the idea that Eowyn wouldn't find the help she needed in books, after all, they aren't writen in her language, and some words she wouldn't know - the reading might prove fruitless, plus, it probably isn't her habit; I appreciated the fact that she thought of them after thinking of no other help, though - well done on that as well, portraying her pride and embarassment at approaching such a topic, how she worried about word being spread, and, finally, found an answer. I also felt soory for the poor farmer (and snickered all the way) - very nice parallel with the first chapter. Can't wait for more! Author Reply: I struggled to make Eowyn's thoughts those of someone who, though inexperienced in sex, is still very much an adult. After all, Eowyn is about 25 at the time of the marriage, and she has certainly carried the burdens of a grown woman for many years. Though she is very nervous about the wedding night, I tried to have her bring an adult's sense of humor and perspective to the situation. I am glad that you enjoyed that scene. No, I don't think she is a frequent visitor to that library, and when she shows up immediately after Faramir's perusal of THE most popular chapter of the "Treatises on the Art of Healing," the loremaster doesn't have too much difficulty putting two and two together. After all, Faramir and Eowyn have been married only a few weeks. :-D (Though Master Eradan might assume that the Steward's lady is searching for hints on how to conceive a baby, LOL!) Thanks so much for this review--it is very encouraging! Branwyn

Raksha The Demon	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 6/19/2006
Dear old loremaster Eradan should be applauded for keeping a straight face. He seems wise enough to know what's going on here, and to keep quiet about it. The poor farmer - that's the same one who Faramir collided with last chapter! Will he ever get his basket of turnips delivered? Wonderful description of the wedding night from Eowyn's POV. She's just as clueless as Faramir; but this is late Third Age Gondor, not the 20th or 21st century - it wouldn't occur to either of them to talk to each other about conjugal misunderstanding. At least not yet. Eowyn's characterisation is excellent - she loves Faramir, is wise enough to realize she's missing something, and smart enough to set out to find the answers without endangering Faramir's reputation. And the image of her in earlier years, to proud to sit and giggle with women of lower rank as they talk of womanly matters, is on target - she was conscious of her position as a daughter of the House of Eorl, and the ranking Lady of Rohan. Looking forward to the next chapter! Author Reply: Librarian friends have told me about the strange requests you get when you are working the reference desk, so I suspect that this loremaster has had years of experience dealing with patrons who either can't articulate what they are looking for or don't want to admit what they are looking for. Regarding Eowyn's isolation from the women at Edoras, as the daughter of a king she should have had a group of high-born maidens and older women to keep her company. However, as Wormtongue's influence grew at court, it seems unlikely that most noble families would have wanted their womenfolk to remain at Edoras (where they could be abused by Wormtongue or used as hostages). Eomer can't have been the only one to see through Wormtongue's act. I imagine Eowyn's circle of female companions growing smaller and smaller over the years. This weekend was too busy, but I hope to update in a few days. Thanks so much for the wonderful review!

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