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| Runaway by Lindelea | 2 Review(s) |
|---|---|
| FantasyFan | Reviewed Chapter: 26 on 11/22/2003 |
| Well, this is an unexpected chapter. I had fixed in my mind that this story was about 24 chapters long, and since you were already on Chapter 26, I figured we were well into the wrap-up. (Raven says, "Who updated? Ooo, Runaway. Is this the end?" so I'm not the only one.) Now, you've gone back to the beginning to tell the story from the point of view of those left behind. It's intriguing; we know something must have been happening at the Smials all this time. Nell and Diamond and the women of the Tooks have always seemed strong and interesting characters, but not as well fleshed out as the men, so I'm glad to see more of them. Certainly it makes sense that somebody must have been 'managing' Diamond if she was to be prevented worry and fear during this somewhat extended absense. Now that we hear that Nell and Meadowsweet also know the secret, they are the obvious candidates - their job will become much harder, once the secret is out and Tolly has been taken away. Diamond's not a fool, and the lack of post from Pippin isn't going to be excused away forever. Once Tolly's arrested, will suspicion fall on Meadowsweet at least? This brings up an interesting question: had the trial gone otherwise and Ferdi and Tolly been banished, would Nell and Meadowsweet also have taken the brand and been exiled as 'part of the conspiracy'? Is there precedent in this somewhat paternalistic society for banishing a female? (not to mention the sister of the Thain). Of course, we won't have to find out the answer to this question, but there are some interesting implications for relationships here too, between the women and within the couples. (And if Ferdi misses another birth, he won't have to be banished because Nell will kill him.) I've always been somewhat uncomfortable with the idea that the menfolk are constantly trying to protect the womenfolk by keeping them ignorant of any potential trouble. Everything I've ever heard about these ladies makes me think they are courageous, strong, sensible, clever and resilient, every bit as much as their husbands at times. To be constantly keeping them cosseted denies them the chance to add their strength to that of the menfolk in facing potential troubles, and makes them an additional burden to be worried about, instead of assets and helpmates. Knowing that something may have gone wrong hasn't made Nell and Meadowsweet swoon and wring their hands, although you have threatened Nell's pregnancy. I'd love to see the women sharing the truth, and thus sharing the burden, supporting each other in contrast to the men who are simultaneously ripping each other apart, surprising them and showing them the way it could be done (but that probably isn't going to happen, from what I see in this chapter, and it probably wouldn't make as exciting of a story either). Are you going to tell the entire story from this point of view? Will it be as long as the 'main' action? If so, I wonder if it would be better to intercut the scenes of the Smials with the scenes in the Woody End like you've done the Buckland scenes? As Raven's brother says, you are the master of telling the same story over again with just that little twist that makes you think twice - it's almost your signataure - and we're all looking forward to this story being longer than we'd anticipated. Author Reply: O, I know, but it is an instinct in men to protect womenfolk, I think. At least that is my experience. I remember a situation where I and another woman were trying to compete with men (we were placed in that position by our career choice), and they kept trying to protect us, and we were exasperated. We finally got through to them that we didn't want to be cosseted... and they stepped back and let us fall flat on our faces (quite literally). There has to be a balance somewhere, but it is awfully difficult to achieve. | |
| Tim the Enchanter | Reviewed Chapter: 26 on 11/22/2003 |
| Nice to see what has been happening at the Great Smials. I wonder what Pimpernel and Diamond will think when they learn what has happened - and what has almost happened. I suspect a turnabout on the situation in "Flames" where Pippin lectures Pimpernel on suspecting Ferdi unfairly. She's Paladin and Eglantine's child as well and her righteous anger should be dreaded too. Author Reply: A turnabout sounds highly likely. What do you think, Jo? | |