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| Branwyn's Bijoux by Branwyn | 8 Review(s) |
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| Larner | Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 1/23/2008 |
| Ah, I so love this child, who's already showing the skills he'll need as hunter, scholar, and primary aide to the King Returned when that time comes. His words are so apt, and I, too, loved his "It smells like words" comment--perfect for the child he was at the time. And his finding of the proper carrier for the scroll was so wonderful! Lovely images here of Gandalf searching for information and Faramir as a child aiding him. Author Reply: Thank you for your kind review! I think that library would have been like a second home to him. | |
| Pryderi | Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 1/20/2008 |
| This is a great story as your other reviewers have confirmed. They seem to have been concerned with it's form, which as with other of your stories that I have read I find admirable. I wish to address the content. Who hid the book? Saruman is a good guess. And in one sense it fits with the canon. On the other hand there would be more dramatic tension if it were Denethor who had hidden it and the young son inadvertently, in this one scene, antagonised his father. Well your stories contain these various interpretations and that is why I enjoy them. Your two moving evocations of Robert Frost's poems: "The Road not Taken" and "On Looking in Woods" (or whatever) should be posted somehow together I think. They are separate on this site. I found the one and spent an enjoyable interlude surfing for the other. Thank you for this and the other stories I haven't reviewed. Pryderi. Author Reply: I am not sure whether the book was deliberately misplaced. My own experience in libraries is that books are often put back on the wrong shelves. Though it is also possible that someone hid the book. In LOTR, Gandalf mentions that Denethor was reluctant to grant him access to the ancient scrolls in the library, so the steward might have moved them. I do like to leave room in the story for the thoughts of the reader. :) I will have to go back and link the two Robert Frost pieces. Thank you for pointing out the oversight, and thank you for your kind and thoughtful comments. | |
| Antane | Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 1/20/2008 |
| “And you would like to live here some day?” Faramir nodded. “No one would cover the lamps at night, and I could read for as long as I wished.” A man after my own heart! I think it would be fun to get locked into Barnes & Noble and read all night... I do love Faramir. As far as tales just waiting to be found, the professor found a wonderful one, didn't he? Namarie, God bless, Antane :) Author Reply: If they had had flashlights in Gondor, Faramir would have been reading under the bedcovers at night. :) Yes, the professor gave us a priceless gift when he shared the treasure of his imagination. Thank you for your kind comments! | |
| Raksha The Demon | Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 1/20/2008 |
| Oooh; I just love this story! Not only is it one of the best presentations of Faramir as a child, but it really nails Gandalf, as much as a character as great and deep and ancient as Gandalf can be captured. Here, Faramir is not just a scholarly child, he is an active little boy, confident, curious, and, as Gandalf noticed, very observant. In so many ways, he is indeed Denethor's son, but he seems less self-absorbed. And I love the way Branwyn portrays Faramir's restless nature; I've always thought he's a kid who would find it hard to keep still unless he was was reading, learning, or observing something of interet - then it would be hard to move him! As Daw mentioned, Gandalf's line about Faramir's spirit is wonderfully evocative - and it hints at Gandalf's own origin as well. I've always thought that Gandalf loved Faramir, perhaps as much as he loved Frodo - Gandalf was a person who had to watch most of his friends grow up and grow old and die, and he often had to use them as players in the great game against Sauron. I think he had a soft spot for certain people who he had known since childhood, and Faramir and Frodo were among those few (I'm assuming, without checking canon, that Gandalf met Frodo in the latter's childhood). It must have wearied him to sacrifice these especially beloved friends, or watch them sacrificed in a conflict that had lasted so long. Here is the genesis and heart of the "wizard's pupil" connection between Gandalf and Faramir. A delightful and moving portrait of two people separated by age and species but united in friendship. | |
| daw the minstrel | Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 1/20/2008 |
| This was wonderfully done. It's a terrific example of what a writer can do in fanfic that can't be done in other kinds of writing because you use Tolkien's larger plot to frame this moment and give it weight. The idea of the scroll, like the One Ring, waiting to be found is so ominous. But this moment itself is worth reading on its own. Young Faramir in particular leaps off the page as a living boy. I laughed at his awe that the loremaster lives in the library. I know people like that! In our era, Faramir would have been one of those kids who read under the blanket with a flashlight. You also evoke Denethor well, though he's off stage. He's not reduced to an evil lunatic, the way he is in so many fanfic stories. Gandalf shows genuine sympathy for Denethor's not having the choice to be a loremaster. In addition your phrasing is so fresh: “We must go through Poetry and Ballistics to get to the lower archive.” “That sounds like a highly dangerous course And "It smells like words" And The wizard leapt to his feet and ran toward the sound, staff raised in his hand. I'd have been so tempted to put "in alarm" where you have "in his hand" but you show rather than tell and it's great. The wizard placed a hand on the boy’s shoulder and could feel the warmth and the tremulous spirit, as quick as the flutter of wings, that were bound in his flesh I stopped and read that several times because it's so evocative. Thanks for this lovely piece of writing. | |
| shirebound | Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 1/20/2008 |
| “It smells like words here,” Faramir told him What a wonderful scene. I hope Faramir spent much of his later years enjoying uninterrupted time with his beloved scrolls, books, and lore, and taught his children to love "the smell of words". Author Reply: Both Gandalf and Faramir suffer much hardship in their lives, so I liked to think of them sharing some peaceful moments. Thanks so much for commenting! | |
| annmarwalk | Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 1/20/2008 |
| What a great story! There's so much to love here I hardly know where to begin. The top of his head barely reached the wizard’s belt, and perched on his silky hair was a tiny version of a scholar’s cap. What fabulous imagery! How could Faramir be any more adorable? I can just imagine Nanny smiling to herself as she stitches that tiny cap. Or would Denethor have ordered it for him as a surprise gift (SQUEE!) “We must go through Poetry and Ballistics to get to the lower archive.” “That sounds like a highly dangerous course, but I have great faith in my guide,” the wizard said as he hurried after him. Faramir walked quickly, almost at a trot, and at times he bounded ahead then circled back to wait for the wizard. Omigosh, now he's Faramir-as-a-golden-retriever-puppy! You did find a way to make him even more adorable! “It smells like words here,” Faramir told him, and the darkness of the archive seemed to lessen at the sound of his voice... The wizard placed a hand on the boy’s shoulder and could feel the warmth and tremulous spirit, as quick as the flutter of wings, that were bound in his flesh. Ok, all kidding aside, I had to catch my breath here, because this is just perfect. All Faramir's youthful love of lore, and brightness and energy and joy he radiates just filling up the room, and Gandalf's recognition and affection for him as a kindred soul - oh, my, oh, my. You know, it's these tiny, perfect gems of stories, written by masterful authors like you, that continually renew my faith in our fandom. Thank you so much for continuing to share moments like these with us! | |
| Linda Hoyland | Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 1/20/2008 |
| I enjoyed this very much. A lovely glimpse of Gandalf and Faramir. Author Reply: I am glad you liked it, but what's not to like about young Faramir? :) Thank you for commenting! | |