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| Moments in Time by Larner | 12 Review(s) |
|---|---|
| Queen Galadriel | Reviewed Chapter: 72 on 3/18/2009 |
| Ah, I like Griffo; he seems a good soul. It's always interesting to see bits of those last two years from new perspectives. I especially love the conversation Sam and Griffo had at the beginning. Author Reply: I've written Griffo as a bit less aware of the friendship that's grown between Frodo and his gardener than I usually do, but then this was originally written to be submitted to an anonymous competition so I was purposely writing it so as not to be readily recognizable. But the joy Sam must have felt at the moment just poured out of him, I found! | |
| Andrea | Reviewed Chapter: 72 on 1/23/2009 |
| Wonderfully done, Larner! Griffo is a very polite gentlehobbit who is open for changes. Otherwise he would not have talked to Sam like to an equal. In the first conversation Sam is overjoyed about the birth of his little Elanor and bound to the promise he gave his master not to tell too much about Frodo's role in the quest. So, what he says seems cryptic to Griffo, while the readers know exactly what he's talking about. The second conversation is a thing Sam would have liked to keep as short as possible. He has other, graver things on his mind at the moment! And had Griffo not mentioned the birth of Angelica's twins, he would have excused himself immediately, I'd say. However, during that whole conversation you can *feel* Sam's restlessness! Once again his answers are cryptic, but Griffo remains polite, even excuses himself for the delay. He accepts Sam's new role as master of Bag End. And Sam does it, too. Last but not least, I love it that Angelica named her twins after Frodo's parents. It's a shame he didn't know that. But I believe there are certain means on Tol Eressea to let him know! Author Reply: Am so glad you like it, Andrea. Griffo is at least able to realize that Frodo has developed a special relationship with Sam and his wife, and is able to accept Sam's new status, first as the one Frodo has adopted as his brother and then as his heir. It must have felt a bit strange. I'm glad Sam did stop to listen to Griffo the second time, although he was justifiably distracted by his own concerns and grief at that point. It helped, I think, understand to Griffo that Sam is doing his best to behave as the Master of Bag End ought to do. And am so glad I was able to communicate that restlessness! And am glad that Angelica did what she did. It would have meant far more to Frodo, I think, than if she'd named the lad for him. Thanks so, and thanks also for the patience. It's been a BUSY week at work this week. | |
| Kitty | Reviewed Chapter: 72 on 1/21/2009 |
| Oh, I can *so* see Sam beaming with pride and joy so shortly after Elanor’s birth! But his answer to Griffo about Frodo’s lost finger was rather cryptic. Somehow I doubt Griffo understood even one word. Great news about Angelica’s twins! A pity Frodo did miss that; he would have been so pleased that they were named after his parents! How poor Griffo must have felt, so badly wanting Frodo to tell that and then to learn that Frodo has left the Shire forever ... Author Reply: Sam must have been over the moon at the birth of his first child. But he knows there are some topics Frodo doesn't wish discussed, the loss of his finger being one of them. No, Griffo doesn't understand at all, and how much he could be expected to understand, of course, is questionable. And it is a sad thing that Frodo didn't get the news directly about Angelica's twins and the names given them. It is one example undoubtedly among many of things he could not learn directly that would have pleased him; but his time to leave Middle Earth has come, after all. And Griffo finds himself uncertain how he must deal with Sam, I fear, for both have lost Frodo now. | |
| cookiefleck | Reviewed Chapter: 72 on 1/20/2009 |
| I enjoyed this story... as you know I really like seeing Sam through other eyes, and I liked your characterization plus the way Griffo came to realize that Sam possessed much wisdom despite an outwardly simple demeanor. And I like that you are able to convey that currents run deep without spelling it out. One thing, which I hope you don't mind me saying, is that Sam's use of the term "Creator" was jarring for me and pulled me out of Tolkien's world momentarily. Author Reply: I'm glad you mostly liked the story, Cookiefleck. Sam is one of my favorite characters (along, of course, with all of the others in the book, of course!), and I love to see things both from his own perspective and from that of those who encounter him. Griffo is just coming to terms with the idea that Sam is far more than he seems. Thanks for the comments. No, I don't mind the comment at all. | |
| Antane | Reviewed Chapter: 72 on 1/20/2009 |
| A nice tale! I love Sam's joy over Frodo being the "perfect besotted Uncle" and all the fussing he was doing over his niece. And now Sam'll have that news of the twins to bring when he sees his treasure next. That will be good news for Frodo, no matter how long delayed. Sam is right that if you asked Frodo what happened at the Fire it would be not be truly what happened. I remember in one of the professor's letters it said he may not have any memories of his own of the time, and hearing what what Sam heard - The Ring is mine and all that - no wonder Frodo would think he freely willed to claim the Ring and not realize he was the one claimed. Indeed only God at this point would know all that happened. I hope Frodo would learn the truth in the West. Namarie, God bless, Antane :) Author Reply: Oh, I agree, Antane--Frodo as the besotted uncle is such a nice image! I'd not read that letter by Tolkien, but I have certainly imagined that Frodo might indeed have but fragmented memories of the Ring taking him. And I am certain that he would learn the truth before he ended his life, but had to learn it not only in his head but in his heart for it to have full meaning. Thanks so, Antane! | |
| Linda Hoyland | Reviewed Chapter: 72 on 1/20/2009 |
| It is good to see attitudes to Sam changing,though his deeds must be hard for others to comprehend.I loved the ending. Author Reply: I agree about liking the changes in attitude toward Sam. How much others within the Shire appreciated his deeds, however, is much in question. I suspect few outside those close to the four Travelers truly appreciated it all, and probably few even of those. And the ending is, I hope, in tune with the book ending. | |
| harrowcat | Reviewed Chapter: 72 on 1/19/2009 |
| So the lLeaving is balanced by birth and more renewal! Lovely Larner. Author Reply: Oh, thank you so, Harrowcat--was just answering reviews since this was posted last night, and up popped yours! Yes, the Shire is renewed, even if it never fully appreciated what Frodo's part in it all entailed. Thanks so! | |
| Endaewen | Reviewed Chapter: 72 on 1/19/2009 |
| Beautifully sad, yet happy at the same time. Author Reply: Thank you, Endaewen. Yes, a bittersweet look at two births to the new age. | |
| Celeritas | Reviewed Chapter: 72 on 1/19/2009 |
| I cringed when Griffo so casually brought up that missing finger. Whoops. I liked this look at things from another character's perspective--I have the feeling that Sam must have gone through portions of this a lot of times (especially the part where he's suddenly addressed as an equal by the gentry!). Author Reply: I know, but folks must have wondered! And for Sam it's but a sample of the new respect being accorded him. Am so glad you appear to have enjoyedit, Celeritas! | |
| shirebound | Reviewed Chapter: 72 on 1/19/2009 |
| What a lovely, bittersweet, yet hopeful tale. What we love may pass beyond our reach, but spring always comes, and with it, a new hope and new things to love. Ohhhh, those golden children will bring such joy and beauty to the Shire, and their dear parents. Author Reply: What a wonderful summation, Shirebound! Yes, that's it in a nutshell! Thank you so much. The Shire has lost the best it produced to date and does not yet appreciate what is gone from it. But his legacy does live on, whether the folk of the Shire realize it or not. | |