News Resources
Login
Become a member
Help
Search
|
|
| About Us News Resources
Login
Become a member
Help
Search
|
|
|
| Okay, NOW Panic! by Boz4PM | 13 Review(s) |
|---|---|
| Mum's the Word | Reviewed Chapter: 52 on 8/1/2009 |
| I'm rereading your wonderful story for the umpteenth time. I just wanted to stop here to say again, dear friend, how beautiful and moving your descriptions are. I should have taken the time to remark on each one, but these two stand out in this chapter: "She glowed in the starlight, her hair like liquid gold. It almost took your breath away to look at her." "In her mind’s eye, almost as if Galadriel were painting it within her mind, she spun above the world, looking down upon it and seeing how all within it were so many ants or pieces on a chessboard, and yet here and there shone a bright light, a constant who barely moved while all around them scurried hither and yon, stopped abruptly or started to move, stirring into life." "Galadriel’s lips might have been moving, she could not be sure, but if they were she heard no sound, only a slight breeze stirring the leaves above them, and it seemed as if, for the merest moment, the starlight glimmered a little brighter in Galadriel’s hair and glinted off the jewels in her skirts." "Wild country stirred their blood, and the scent of home was in the wind." You have such a gift, dear Boz, and I thank you for sharing it with us. Even after so many readings, your story still moves me to tears in many places! Indeed, after certain passages like the exchange between Penny and Galadriel in this chapter, I find myself smiling, but then find tears on my cheeks. Thank you again for Penny's excellent story! Hugs and continued blessings, Mum | |
| el_esteleth | Reviewed Chapter: 52 on 6/16/2008 |
| *grins* I really enjoyed this chapter, especially the part where Galadriel talks with Penny. I'm glad Penny's heart is lighter, too. Well, except for the part about realizing that Halladan and the others will have to leave soon. And I'm off to read the next chapter. :) Es. | |
| iona | Reviewed Chapter: 52 on 6/2/2008 |
| Dear Boz4PM, having followed Penny's adventures for quite some time, it's high time to leave a review and let you know that I've enjoyed these stories immensely. Not only is this the only believable modern-girl-falls-into-ME story I've ever come across, this is an exceptionally well researched and written fanfic. The canon characters "ring true" to canon and the original characters are interesting and believable with their own idiosyncrasies. Something that I really like is how you show the humorous, even playful side of the elves. It is hinted at in Tolkien's works, but not shown often. You've done a particularly splendid job in portraying Elrond, who cannot by any means be an easy character to write. The attention to detail that you show in your depictions of the various locations is something that makes a geeky medieval re-enactor such as myself very happy indeed. Even your author's notes have been interesting to read, what with the explanations for Gondorian foodstuffs, for example. ( My cat seems determined to leave a review, too, judging by his attempts to jump onto the keyboard. I supppose he appreciates the long hours I've spent reading your fics - those hours have been quality lap time for him! =) ) It will take considerable time yet before Penny is truly at ease in Middle-Earth, but she seems to be adapting much better thanks to her discussions with various important (to her) people, last but not least Galadriel. Thanks to Galadriel, she will perhaps be better able to bear waiting for the scouring of the Shire. Her growing closeness with the Dúnedain will help her settle in with them eventually, and I'd say her friendship with Halladan has been something of a lifeline. Speaking of that, I hereby express my wish to enlist in the Penny/Halladan Shippers' Club. :D To steal a line from Penny herself, those two really are a pair! Penny doesn't have an inkling yet that she's falling head over heels, and Halladan might have an inkling but probably hasn't admitted to himself that it's not merely guardianship from his side, but Arvain and Tadion seem to be having a "sweet Elbereth, do they even realize" sort of joke at Penny and Halladan's expense. Delightful! Looking forward to the next chapter, Iona Author Reply: Thank you so much for taking time out to comment. So glad you've enjoyed the whole journey so far. You're right about Penny. I know some have occasionally been frustrated at the length of time her distress and discomfort have taken, but realistically it WOULD take that much time and more - she's been through a heck of a lot and, as I've often said, if it were me in her position I know I would not have had the strength of character she has shown and would likely as not completely flipped my lid by now. | |
| Reviewed Chapter: 52 on 5/31/2008 | |
| Wonderful! I always love seeing Middle Earth characters confused about modern things, like chocolate. And did I detect a hint of jealousy on Hal's part? Author Reply: lol, yes, I've not gone into detail with Halladan and Erestor's conversations with her about home life - and she also had some with Gandalf way back when in Imladris too - but I'm sure half of what she tells them foxes them completely! Thanks for reading and reviewing! | |
| Kitty | Reviewed Chapter: 52 on 5/28/2008 |
| Yay, an update! :-) And a very lovely and long one. These childhood stories were so much fun! I was glad Halladan and Arvain were finally able to talk about their brother; it seems they are finally beginning to come to terms with his loss. It is so great to see how everyone is looking after Penny, trying to help her, to comfort her, all of them, even Rhimlath (he may be grating on nerves sometimes, but he has a good heart). The meeting with Galadriel in the woods and the resulting conversation was very well done. What a relief for Penny to realise that Galadriel – and probably Mithrandir, Elrond and Celeborn, too – knows at least roughly what will happen in the Shire, so she doesn’t have to bear the burden alone any longer! Erestor is helping, too, in his quiet way. How nice of him to speak English with her and listen to her talking about her family in her own language! He may be truly interested in the language, but still, it is wonderful of him, as he has no use for English other than talking with her. And he had an interesting suggestion, I think, about this ritual or whatever presents itself. Maybe it would truly help Penny. Halladan is such a sweetie! I am always touched about the way he looks after Penny and vice versa. These two are *so* destined for each other – I wonder when they will finally realise that themselves? Sometimes I get the impression most others have a pretty good idea ... Another chapter well worth the long wait; and I greatly appreciate that you don’t simply abandon the story, considering your time constraints! Author Reply: Erestor, albeit in the role of 'tutor' and 'wise advisor', has become a good friend to her - even before they left Imladris. Thank you for reading and for all your comments - glad that each 'element' of the chapter appealed. :D | |
| Mopsy | Reviewed Chapter: 52 on 5/28/2008 |
| Forgot to say I think that I loved the "missing chocolate?" moment! aww... Author Reply: Yay! First person to comment on it! Glad you liked it. :D | |
| Mopsy | Reviewed Chapter: 52 on 5/28/2008 |
| HOOROAR! So exciting! New chapter joy. :D And it came just at exam time, to alleviate my otherwise infinite suffering. So, fame and ovation for Boz, and on to the review proper. Erestor is so sweet! What a doll. Adorable linguists...aw. I am a fangirl. You write him so beautifully...he's such a quiet support for Penny. Fangirly question: have you considered whether or not he has kids? He'd make a lovely father. I love the way you've portrayed the deepening friendship between Halladan and Penny. He certainly seems to have come to depend on her now - to rely on her support to some extent, which is beautiful. His stab of what I have (hopefully correctly) interpreted as jealousy over the Tadion/Penny moment with the tent was gorgeous. You write Galadriel wonderfully well! Also the family stories - love the Dunadan dynamic. I read another review somewhere saying Penny was too mopey...I couldn't disagree more. I think you've portrayed a movingly realistic grieving process - after all, it's no ordinary grief, is it? No one back home is dead, and yet, they might as well be, to her... Well, it's been years now, and I'm still reading and enjoying, and still eagerly await updates. Magic! Author Reply: Fangirly question: have you considered whether or not he has kids? He'd make a lovely father. Honestly? No. But only because it's never been relevent to any conversation or scene. Now that you've made me consider it, I think he has a daughter and she sailed with her mother. So there you are. ;D I read another review somewhere saying Penny was too mopey...I couldn't disagree more. I think you've portrayed a movingly realistic grieving process - after all, it's no ordinary grief, is it? No one back home is dead, and yet, they might as well be, to her... Well, everyone is entitled to their opinion and you can't please all the people all of the time. I think the fact that it's taken me FOREVER to write these last few chapters hasn't helped, lol! So I'm sure to some Penny's malaise has felt like it's gone on too long. Couldn't be helped, since it was only really after Saruman had met them and parted with them on the road that any of it could come to some sort of resolution in some ways. And as you say, grief is not something you get over quickly, as anyone who has lost anyone close to them knows. Not only that but she has not simply lost a family member, she's lost ALL her family, ALL her friends, her ENTIRE way of life - everything she's ever known. That's a LOT to deal with, on top of everything else (guilt re. the War, shock at the human cost/coming face to face with the brutal reality of War, the stress of worrying if she would be left in Gondor, sheer exhaustion from travelling, worrying about the Scouring of the Shire and should she try and stop it or not, etc). It is something that would take weeks and weeks to begin to work through. Anyway, now Galadriel's had a word, matters will get easier for her. ... Or will they? *insert evil author cackle here* | |
| Alassiel | Reviewed Chapter: 52 on 5/27/2008 |
| Greetings, A couple of days ago, I was hoping to read another chapter of this wonderful story—and here it is! I am so grateful that you are continuing to tell us Penny's tale. I especially love watching the deepening of her friendships, which have certainly stood her in good stead. When life permits, please continue. Your Devoted Reader, Alassiel Author Reply: Thank you. And thank you for reading and commenting. :) | |
| Neilia | Reviewed Chapter: 52 on 5/27/2008 |
| Well, I must say, this chapter was well worth the looooong wait! I will be more patient in the future. Really, I enjoy these books so very much that I am glad, so very glad, to see this chapter posted. It is good to see Penny able to stabilize a bit. I just hope and pray that she doesn't have to 'go back' and suffer this stuff all over again. Halladan is too good a man to lose! What can I say? I am a hopeless romantic. :D Love, Neilia Author Reply: Glad you enjoyed it - thanks for reading! And, yes, the main plot point of this chapter was to bring Penny to some sort of resolution regarding all the emotional trauma she's been through the last few months. | |
| Miss | Reviewed Chapter: 52 on 5/27/2008 |
| So glad you updated!! That was a good chapter. I loved Rhimlath in this chapter! You know, i still found it a bit difficult to understand how Penny tolerates her 'fate'. Obviously, Penny has struggles and is trying to accept it, you have explained it. I guess I must be patience and wait how this story gonna end. Penny has indeed bondend with the Halladan and the others. Till the next chapter! Author Reply: You know, i still found it a bit difficult to understand how Penny tolerates her 'fate'. Well, really she has no choice. It's either learn to accept it and live with it or else go completely insane or kill yourself. She's too bloody minded to the either of the last two. She has also had months to come to terms with it - much of it under the watchful eye of the greatest of healers in Middle-earth: Elrond. Being in the company of elves for as long as she was stood her in good stead and would have affected her in ways that she probably was little aware of at the time. It's only when she had to face, particularly, the reality of war and the real human cost and reality of what she had always known as a fictional tale that raked a whole load of emotion up and made everything very raw for her, but frankly she was in a far better place pyschologically by then to be able to deal with it. If she'd had to face all that when she was still fairly recently 'landed' in Middle-earth, I do think she really would have lost the plot completely - run off into the wilds somewhere, hysterical and insane and died from exposure, starvation or attack by wild animals (or worse). That or the shock would have killed her. What's she's been through has been incredibly traumatic from many perspectives, but she's been fortunate that a) it's been drawn out somewhat over a period of time and b) she is surrounded by so many who are so skilled and, yes, 'magical'. it's hard to convey a lot of that, though I do try in terms of the way others interact with her at times. Also if I've shown something once, then I presume readers will take it as read that it can happen again 'off-stage', not have to repeat it over and over - so there are people taking care of her and, yes, perhaps reciting 'words of healing' or whatever over her when she sleeps. She has not been completely left alone, if that makes sense. :) | |