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| The Making of a Ringbearer II: Anchored by Henna Gamgee | 12 Review(s) |
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| Galadriel Gardner | Reviewed Chapter: 61 on 3/15/2023 |
| Hello, Henna, I have no idea if, after all this time, this review will find you, but I want you to know how very, very much I enjoyed this story and its prequel. I recall reading several chapters of "Anchored" very early on, maybe in 2004, when I was a young teenager myself, newly come to LOTR and thrilled to find fanfiction stories that let me spend even more time with these beloved characters, especially the Hobbits I loved most. I've recently returned and am making an effort to clean up the mess of my own early writing, and in searching for something to read, I was surprised and delighted to rediscover your work. I still remembered losing myself in those chapters for hours at a time, and I was so excited to see that both "Adrift" and "Anchored" are now complete. I happily dove in and have been engrossed for two days. Your writing voice has a lovely cadence and charm that reminds me of some of my own favorite classic novels and literary works outside of Tolkien and fanfiction. Your characterizations of our five best-known Hobbits are endearing as well as, I feel, canonically accurate. I particularly admire those of Bilbo and Frodo as especially well done, but they all shine. The shaping of young Frodo as you present it here is very believable to me. Although there are many authors who have tackled this and many versions I love for different reasons and elements, yours has become a fast favorite. I admire your deft, tactful but compassionate handling of the dynamic of gentry vs working class in the Shire. Some choose to ignore this entirely, while others make it a huge obstacle to any friendly interactions between characters, particularly the Bagginses and the Gamgees. I feel that this story very neatly walks the middle ground and is quite believable. At the beginning of this story, I found Otho, Lotho, and Lobelia very shallow. I wasn't unduly bothered by this. They are small people in every sense of the word. But as the story went on, their deeper layers and macanations were revealed in subtle ways which grew as Frodo did, culmanating in that wonderful, powerful exchange between Frodo and Lotho when Lotho finally admitted that he simply wanted to be liked and did not know how it could be accomplished. The foreshadowing of what Lotho would later take part in was brilliant, and I was left pitying him instead of disliking him. The way you explored Frodo's relationship with Bilbo and with the fragmented, buried memories of his parents impressed me deeply and shook me also — and that's intended as praise. I have some deep personal experience of complicated relationships (who can go through life without gaining some of that?) and with burying memories and then fearing their ghosts too much to lay them, only to discover that facing them head on is the only way to life on the other side. You captured this experience so very well. I laughed through so much of this story, at the antics of the young Hobbits and their funny misadventures and sweet innocence. I also shed tears, especially during the final chapters. The floodgates really opened at the discovery of the spool of thread and more or less didn't close again until the very end. I'm sad that I've finished reading, but so happy that I could finally finish this story, which I never forgot. Thank you for a true gem and for sharing your talent for warm, witty, and wise taletelling with the wider world. ~GG | |
| PSW | Reviewed Chapter: 61 on 1/5/2016 |
| This was just fantastic! I so enjoyed every bit of it. Thanks so much for all the time you've out into this ... :-) | |
| whisperer | Reviewed Chapter: 61 on 3/30/2013 |
| why dear.. it's such an honor to love your stories. i've completed this without leaving my phone. really like it. wishing for update soon on aweigh series. | |
| Imladris | Reviewed Chapter: 61 on 12/25/2012 |
| All good things take time - don't be embarrassed that this story took as long as it did; you wrote it with great care and attention, and that can't be hurried. You may have finished it in 2008, but in 2012 it's still bringing joy to readers. I really love this series. Your take on the parts of Frodo's life we didn't see in LotR is both a delight to read, and very well-thought out. All of it is plausible, which is a great strength for the story - it flows along as if it's Tolkien's own notes. I love your exploration of the relationship between Bilbo and Frodo, and his growing connections with those around him - all of the Gamgee's especially. You've set him on a totally believable path to grow into the character we all know and love, by giving him - and those around him - a rich history that's been considered with real care and attention. Just fantastic. | |
| Bakoneko | Reviewed Chapter: 61 on 5/2/2009 |
| Well, I finally came and caught up on the last several chapters of this story. Actually, I started back again at the beginning and reread Adrift and then Anchored. Such a beautiful saga! I love the rich history you've given Frodo and Bilbo, and Frodo with Sam and Frodo with Merry and Pippin. I love the whole Gamgee family. I even love the Sackville-Bagginses!--well, love to hate them at any rate. =) Thank you for sharing these beautiful stories with us! I'll be watching and hoping you do decide to write a third part! | |
| Kara's Aunty | Reviewed Chapter: 61 on 11/4/2008 |
| Hello Obelia (Medusa), well, that's it all over, the last chapter read and Frodo and Bilbo's reunion made - only to have him now leave his beloved nephew. This was a very good exploration of their time together between adoption and Bilbo's departure. They both grew so much emotionally and are the better for having each other. I see Lobelia did give the Ring back without too much of a fight (shows what I know). How sweet of Bilbo to leave it for Frodo's protection although he could have left a note to warn him to keep it out of the S-B's reach. But, he is old (even if he doesn't look it) and no doubt he thought he was doing the right thing. I'm glad he got it back though - my nerves couldn't have handled Lobelia having the Ring much longer! I have very much enjoyed this tale of the Baggins boys and look forward to a sequel if you write one. All the best, Maureen :) | |
| GamgeeFest | Reviewed Chapter: 61 on 6/30/2008 |
| What a perfect ending to this dear story! I do enjoy the fact that it was Frodo who urged Bilbo to leave and told him how to go about doing it, and that the party was just as much Frodo’s idea as Bilbo’s. Sam’s offer of assistance to Frodo was endearing and just so Sam. You did a marvelous job with this, and if you do write the third part, I’ll be happy to read it, even if it takes another five years. :) | |
| Bakoneko | Reviewed Chapter: 61 on 5/11/2008 |
| I have really loved this whole story, and the previous one. Thank you for sharing them with us! Your characterizations and relationships ring absolutely true - I feel like I'm seeing what really happened before the books began. I'll be crossing my fingers that you do write a third, but even if you don't, I'll be watching for more of your stories in the future! | |
| Breon Briarwood | Reviewed Chapter: 61 on 5/6/2008 |
| This was absolutely amazing! *standing-O* I can't tell you how excited I was every time I saw a notice for an update in my inbox. I just adore young Frodo tales. Seeing how he became the kind of hobbit who would sacrifice everything for his home and family, and how the fierce loyalty between him and Sam evolved... *emotional sigh* You've made me cry so many times along the way. Your writing is superb, dear! (I know I haven't said that nearly enough.) I do hope you continue with the third part. I will be here to read no matter how long it takes. | |
| Larner | Reviewed Chapter: 61 on 5/6/2008 |
| At least Frodo has found his peace with Bilbo's love of the outer world. A nice finish. | |