News Resources
Login
Become a member
Help
Search
|
|
| About Us News Resources
Login
Become a member
Help
Search
|
|
|
| To Give Hope by Peredhil lover | 11 Review(s) |
|---|---|
| Klose | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 3/15/2007 |
| This is a very promising beginning, and I can't wait to see what you have in store for us. Gilraen is one of those characters I can probably never read enough of - the mother of Aragorn, widowed at a young age, and whisked to live with a strange and wondrous folk, away from everything and everyone she'd known and loved; Aragorn being the only one left to her, who would also remind her of all these things. And I think you've portrayed all these different aspects very poignantly here, all connected to the grief that must overwhelm her. I particularly liked her encounter with Glorfindel, because it's so poignantly representative of the relationship between mortals and elves. Also her wariness of Elladan and Elrohir. I've often wondered what she thought of them, those strange and fair sons of Elrond who would ride with her husband, and this must be the first I see of it - and I'm glad you did tackle that, and you tied it up with her general mood and reactions to the situation very well. Hoping this review was not too incoherent, but as I said earlier, I'm looking forward to the next chapter(s)! Author Reply: I apologize for my delay in replying to this review, but I was away for a few days and only now am able to respond. Thanks for reviewing, it is most appreciated. Your review was perfectly coherent and I enjoyed reading the points that you make. I find Gilraen really fascinating as well and there is so much room to explore her character. She gives us the opportunity to see the world of the elves from a mortal outsiders point-of view, which I very much enjoyed exploring in this chapter. I'm so glad that you liked Gilraen's first meeting with Glorfindel as that part was very meaningful as representative of the relationship between mortals and elves. Gilraen represents the Dunedain culture to me and I will always see Glorfindel as the epitome of elfdom. The contrast between mortals and elves, and how the peredhil fit into the relationship is a theme which constantly underlies my writing. Now, I hope that my reply was not too incoherent! :) Thanks again, peredhil lover | |
| Selene Aduial | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 3/13/2007 |
| Your of to a great start. I love your description of the surroundings and I could feel the emotions of Gilrean. She's so sad, but at the same time she's angry at the world for taking Arathorn away from her. I can't wait for the next chapter. Author Reply: Thanks so much for the kind words. I'm glad to know that you are enjoying it. | |
| Larner | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 3/13/2007 |
| Yes, I can readily imagine there would be a level of culture shock here. Descriptions are detailed enough to be compelling, and I can imagine the fear of what a small, curious, active child might manage to damage there! Heh! Author Reply: I do think that Gilraen had quite a lot to adjust to. The elves of Imladris have not had to deal with such a young child in those halls for a very long time, so I don't think the place is entirely toddler proof at this point! There'll probably have to be a lot of adjustments all round. I'm glad that you're enjoying the story so far. Thanks for reviewing. peredhil lover | |
| meckinock | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 3/12/2007 |
| I really like the characterization of Gilraen here. For all the overwhelming stress she's experiencing and the state of profound shock she must still be in, she maintains her composure and refuses to abdicate her role of mother to her child. I suppose coming from a warrior culture like the Dunedain would armor her for that sudden but never-quite-unexpected shock and grief, and of course she felt she had to be strong for her son. And then, so quickly, she was surrounded by strangers, and not quite ready to lower her guard. I felt for her when, alone and free from stranger's eyes, she was finally able to yield to her grief. Similarly, I loved the moment when Elrohir, after safely completing his mission to deliver Gilraen and Aragorn to Imladris, finally crumbled when offered the comfort of his father's arms. The father tenderly wrapped his arms around the one who had spoken, and the son seemed to slump wearily into his embrace, as Elrond whispered quiet words into his ear. That was a beautiful image. Glorfindel was wonderful, too. I loved how he addressed Aragorn directly. And I liked how Elrond and Glorfindel both treated Gilraen with respect as well as compassion, and how Elrond greeted Aragorn by his true name. There will be enough time for aliases and secrets later. Author Reply: Thank you so much for the detailed review, meckinock. I love hearing about the parts that my readers enjoyed the most. I'm glad that you like my characterization of Gilraen. I really respect her and I hope I can do her justice. Thanks for your kind words. I'm glad I could effectively show with that scene, as seen only through Gilraen's eyes, how hard this has been on the twins as well. You are right, there will be plenty of time for aliases, and young Aragorn losing his identity will be coming up in this story. Elrond's decision to greet him by his true name at this point was quite deliberate on his part. Thanks again, I really appreciate it! peredhil lover | |
| MithLuin | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 3/12/2007 |
| A wonderful beginning! Gilraen's grief seems raw and very real - she knows she's being unreasonable, but can't help it. She does not realize the twins are grieving too, until she sees how they react to their father. Much looking forward to that conversation, btw! I found it very interesting that she saw Glorfindel shining through like that, and that she could read the grief on both his and Elrond's face. Aragorn has a very special mother indeed. Author Reply: I'm so glad that you find Gilraen's grief to be realistic. I'm looking forward to seeing the reactions of the readers to the conversation between Elrond and the twins. It's not the relationship that most people are used to seeing between them, but I hope it's believable and interesting. I do think that Gilraen is a very special and strong woman, and I hope I can do her justice. Thanks so much for reviewing, peredhil lover | |
| sammijoy | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 3/12/2007 |
| What a great start to this story, I'm anxious to read more about Aragorn's first days at Rivendell. Sammi Author Reply: Thanks. I'm looking forward to writing more about Aragorn's first days in Imladris. :) | |
| Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 3/12/2007 | |
| Interesting beginning. Powerful mood-setting without descending to melodrama. So far, nice. Author Reply: Thank you, I'm glad you're enjoying it so far. | |
| daw the minstrel | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 3/12/2007 |
| I think you're right to show Gilraen on edge and angry in her sorrow. An enormously bad thing just happened to her, her son, the Dunedain, and it's not surprising she'd resent the elves who rode out with Arathorn or those who live in such peace. Author Reply: Thanks, daw. I'm glad that you find my depiction of Gilraen at this very traumatic point in her life to be believable. peredhil lover | |
| Agape4Gondor | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 3/12/2007 |
| I liked this line very much - it even caused me, at the twin's expense, to laugh a little in the midst of the pain. 'As if somehow sensing the angry look directed at his back, the son of Elrond seemed to grow even more rigid.' I love the good manners and the kindness... 'He conceded with a bow of his head. “Permit me to lead your horse then.”' I have one little concern. I am a widow myself and have spoken with a gazillion widows since becoming one. None of us can speak of our husbands without tears falling - unbidden - and this after 15 years for myself and many more for other widows. I would not write this if it was only my experience. Therefore, though I know she would do everything possible to not cry in front of Aragorn - and also in front of Elrond. But while riding on the horse in the rain, the tears would have, IMHO, been unstoppable, large and heavy. Really great beginning - I've enjoyed reading this. Author Reply: Thank-you so much for sharing your experience and that of many other widows. I agree completely that Gilraen's reaction is not that of a typical new widow, but that is part of what I was trying to show here--nothing about Gilraen's current situation is the least bit typical. She has had no opportunity to grieve, she did not even get to bury her husband, and now she has been immediately uprooted and removed from everything she has ever known. There is a point beyond tears, a point at which you so desperately want to cry, for at least it would relieve the pain in your heart if just a little, but you simply can not. I would say that is the point that Gilraen is at in the beginning of the story. Thanks for reviewing Agape4Gondor. I'm glad that you are enjoying it so far and I hope you continue to. peredhil lover | |
| Jay of Lasgalen | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 3/12/2007 |
| I like this already. Gilraen's slight distrust of Elladan and Elrohir is interesting - who can fault her for blaming them, at least a little, for Arathorn's death? Despite the fact that she cannot tell them apart, I really like the way you have drawn the differences between them, so that *we* know which is Elladan and which is Elrohir - that's a nice touch, especially as neither of them is named throughout thir journey. I'm looking forward to more as Gilraen settles into life in Imladris. Author Reply: I've always thought that at this point, with her husband's death so recent, she would feel a fair amount of anger and resentment towards the twins, whether it's justified or not. I have ideas, starting in this story, but mainly in future ones, to look at how her relationships with the two evolve over time. It's funny, but the more I write them, the more Elladan and Elrohir are starting to feel like family to me, and they are such different people in my mind that I find it no effort at all to distinguish between them even if I don't name them. I'm glad that you picked up on that. I thought that you might, since you, more than most, seem to share my *appreciation* of the twins. Thanks for reviewing, Jay. peredhil lover | |