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Sam's Rose  by jodancingtree 6 Review(s)
CibilkaReviewed Chapter: 34 on 1/7/2022
Immensely enjoyed this series! I loved how you wrote the characters. Frodo, especially, sounds very much canon. I loved Sam and Rosie as well, but it's just so wonderful and beautiful, Frodo and Sam's bond is. I doubt Rose would be that emotionally involved when it came to Frodo, but it was still fascinating to watch unfold if it had gone that way. I just find it quite ironic at the end, when Frodo had said Sam came back whole but he didn't- this was true to some extent. No doubt, Frodo lost himself completely to the Quest, he "failed" and to make it worse he felt "tempted" to regret Its destruction, in Prof. Tolkien's words. Even after everything he had sacrificed, he returned feeling utterly defeated, like it had all been in vain for him. In the reverse, he lost the very thing he had set out to save, the Shire and his friends. However, Sam's Quest from the very beginning was to save his master, and he was able to, but not wholly. In the end, Frodo had to leave Middle-earth to find healing and peace, possibly, giving up his ties with everything he loved, and then Sam also had to give him up.

In their own beautifully tragic way, both lost what they tried to save, not to sound overly sentimental. I suppose it would be easier for Sam to recover, but undoubtedly, the memory of the ship sailing into the West with his master on it was forever ingrained in his heart.

Queen GaladrielReviewed Chapter: 34 on 11/8/2005
Oh, Jo! I loved this story...and that falls short! I've been thinking of writing something like it-Rosie's story-for a while, but I've already got one in progress that's giving me trouble enough, and I had no inspiration. I very much enjoyed your interpretation! I can't remember ever devouring thirty-four chapters like that! :-) Very well done and thank you for the wonderful story! Namarie, and God bless,
Galadriel

Author Reply: I'm so glad you liked Sam's Rose, Galadriel! I hope you'll get back to your Rosie story and give us your view of her - there has to be something special about Rose, for Sam to love her so.
Hugs,
jo

ElanaReviewed Chapter: 34 on 2/21/2004
Ah, what a lovely story. I read the first few chapters a long time ago on ff.net when you were writing it, and enjoyed it very much, but didn't keep up with it. I just now got around to reading the rest of it. I've stayed up way too late finishing it, too.

I was wondering, at Frodo's party with Merry and Pippin and all, he was so happy, I wasn't sure it would be believable that he would have to leave at the end. But I did completely believe it. You handled both his happiness and woundedness marvelously.

I did catch one small continuity error. At the beginning of Chapter 27, Rosie says "I’ve had a good many little ones since then..." But then at the end, she says Frodo's leaving was just last fall.

I'm greatly looking forward to reading the rest of the stories you have posted here, when I get time. You are a very talented writer.

TatharReviewed Chapter: 34 on 1/18/2004
Ohh, what an ending! Rosie is so wise; and Frodo knew that, else he might not have been able to leave Sam behind.

But still... Waaaaah! *sobs* I have always held that it was unfair that Frodo had to sail -- like Rosie said: "He suffered so much to save the Shire, and then he couldn’t stay and enjoy it." And I still think so! For that reason, I can't often bear to read stories of Frodo's last two years in the Shire... but I'm so glad I made an exception in reading this one -- it's really given me things to think about, and seeing it all from Rosie's perspective is so unique! I just loved it.

And you might have also given me a bit of a plot-bunny... not sure if it'll come to anything yet, but I'll keep musing on it. The idea of Fosco being sort of adopted by Frodo and being so comforting to him has really got me wondering -- would it have been possible, if he didn't travel with Radagast as in "Following the Other Wizard", for Frodo to find peace somewhere in the Shire? I'd be interested to know what you think of that.

So thank you for a wonderful and inspiring read, jo! I look forward to reading more from you. :)

Oh yes, there's one thing that I still wonder about -- did Frodo get to see Fosco one last time before leaving for the Havens? And would you consider writing perhaps a vignette of their meeting? I really became fond of Fosco, and I'd hate to think of Frodo leaving without having the opportunity to say goodbye.

Sheesh, there I go again. *sniffle* I'd best get back to cleaning. Thank you again, jo!

Author Reply: I've so much enjoyed reading all your comments, Tathar -- thank you! And very glad if you got a plot-bunny out of it: go for it! It would make a very interesting story. Would you drop me a line if you write it? I'd really like to read it.

I might think about that vignette with Fosco and Frodo, once I finish off "Following the Other Wizard" - thanks for the suggestion.

jo


ElektraReviewed Chapter: 34 on 1/16/2004
Ohhh, that was wonderful. You fleshed out Rosie very well, but the truth is that all the characterization was pitch-perfect. I loved it!

- Elektra, having trouble thinking of something intelligent to say

Author Reply: Thanks, Elektra! That sounded plenty intelligent to me - glad you liked it!

jo

websteransReviewed Chapter: 34 on 1/15/2004
Dear Lord, that was beautiful. Your depiction of Rosie was an absolute delight, as was Fatty Bolger. Frodo was carried off with perfect fidelity, and the mood--now joyful, but touched with shadow, now mournful but touched with hope--was maintained throughout. A wonderful tribute to the Man.

Author Reply: Hi websterans,
I love your description of the mood - that's what I was trying for, and I'm so glad it worked for you! Thank you so much for reviewing -- it's such an encouragement to hear from a reader who liked a story --

jo

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