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| Dolor Meus by Werecat | 11 Review(s) |
|---|---|
| demeter d | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 11/15/2005 |
| Greetings, Werecat! I may not have reviewed your work here at Stories of Arda yet, but I discovered you quite a while ago at HASA. I have enjoyed everything I have read. I reviewed a Chapter of JoDancingtree's "Gray at the End of the World, and an author named Inkling sent me to your story here, for a look at comparing St. Francis of Asissi to Radagast. She/He was absolutely right about your story. It is wonderful. I have not as yet read any writings by Tolkein to indicate he particularly had that in mind when he wrote the Brown Wizard,but I have always felt that was in there. I have also always liked the way you give Tolkien's characters a continued existence into ages beyond the end of his part of the story.After all, he did write that he hoped to create a world in which others could continue the tale. Thank you so much for your part. And your comment that you were not "Christian" interested me. I do consider myself Christian, but I also recognize that our Creator had dealings with all of his children from whatever beginning there was. He certainly did not begin caring about us only after his Son had come and gone. And men and women from many lands and ages have given us insights and spiritual light. Also. I enjoyed the summons home. I believe that our Creator, our Father, will never stop loving us, no matter what, and will always welcome us home to him, if we are but willing to go. Again, thank you for your part of the tale.! Author Reply: Thanks for reading, Demeter. And for taking the time to write this review - much appreciated! Werecat | |
| jodancingtree | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 11/15/2005 |
| How absolutely beautiful! Oh, werecat, it's masterful, and I'm sitting here with tears in my eyes. Inkling recommended this story to me because of the similarity to St. Francis in the way I write Radagast. It's delightful to find the Brown Wizard here in your tale, and just the way I imagine him. Thank you for a lovely start to my morning! (And I will have to write Inkling as well, to thank her for steering me to this. And I'm looking forward to reading more of your work.) jo Author Reply: Thanks for reading, Jo, and for your kind words. *purr* You warmed my heart in an otherwise bad day. Pass my thanks to Inkling as well. Werecat | |
| Archaic Scribe | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 4/22/2005 |
| Ah! Another lovely tale from you. Though it has been a long while since I have read, let alone reviewed anything, your stories are always a rare and delicious treat. For what it is worth, I think Tolkien would have given you the approving nod in this comparison you have made with Radagast and St. Francis. In fact, I dare to believe he may have had that very same idea in creating the character of Radagast given Tolkien was Catholic as well. I always like your balance of movement and story detail and this vignette is no exception. Early on, you clearly paint the picture of St. Francis/Radagast and move the story along with such a naturalness that I envy! I feel like I am there, on the Green Isle, (maybe one of the cats in the abbey- LOL!) who is privvy to watching the conversations unfold. I would expect nothing less from the Werecat to but have at least one feline in the wings of any tale. :-D I do like how you worked in that little "signature" touch of yours with the cats. Author Reply: Thanks, AC! I too wish I could be one of those Abbey cats... Thank you for your kind words - you really warmed my heart. Werecat | |
| Citrine | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 4/21/2005 |
| This moved me deeply: 'The birds and the cat rejoiced, for they had never forgotten the tongue of the Firstborn – in their lullabies and their daily prayers they always recited tales of another land and another time, so the world might one day remember.' I wish I was articulate enough to tell you how really brilliant I think this story is. I hope it's enough to say that I think it's well-crafted and beautiful, and I admire it very much. Author Reply: Thanks, Citrine! Your kind words put a smile on my face on a very bad day. Thanks for reading, Werecat | |
| perelleth | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 4/19/2005 |
| How beautiful, Werecat! and such a well-chosen setting! I think the love the Noldor had for the stone had something to do with how it reflects and returns music.I could almost feel the awe of those friars with such beatiful and grieved voice raising among their stone walls...It is comforting to think of such redemption reaching Maglor... Wonderful, congratulations! Author Reply: Thanks, Perelleth! Actually, that 'Noldor love for stone' never crossed my mind when I wrote this, but, now that you mention it, it makes perfect sense. It's surprising how our unconscious works some times... Thanks for reading, Werecat | |
| Molly Littlefoot | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 4/17/2005 |
| Oh, I should have known this was one of yours. How marvelous! It made me weep and I do hope it gets onto HASA. This is one of those stories I have t read and re-read. Thanks so much, WErecat. -- Love -- Molly Author Reply: Of course you should have guess, Molly. There's a cat in it. ;) It did get into HASA, BTW, with a unanimous vote. Thank you, once more, for your kind words. Blessed be, Werecat | |
| Inkling | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 4/17/2005 |
| Wow! This was wonderful, Werecat! Ever since reading jodancingtree's "Another Way of Leaving" and "Following the Other Wizard" I have always had a strong mental image of Radagast as St. Francis...it fits him so perfectly, brown robe and all! And I loved the wisdom and awareness of the animals: "They grieved the passing of magic, of song, and music." Speaking as a Catholic, I certainly was not offended by this lovely blend of Middle Earth history, Christianity, and Celtic mythology, and I don't think Tolkien would have been either. Author Reply: Hi, Inkling, and thanks for reading. And thank you for letting me know you did not find this offensive - it means a lot. Radagast is very dear to my heart as well. Peace, Werecat | |
| Dot | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 4/17/2005 |
| Oh, this is so beautiful. It's original, intriguing and you made not just the characters but the world around them come alive. You seem to write description with such ease and it really is a joy to read. I loved this look at both Radagast and Maglor. I've always felt a little sorry for Maglor and you've really created a picture of a soul in torment - he knows what he's done but when he can't forgive himself, he doesn't see how anyone else would, or even should, forgive him. I'm so glad for him that he went home, even though the world of mortals will miss his haunting music. I loved the sense of the ethereal about him too, as the people try to apply their own explanations of the story behind this strange, beautiful creature. You captured Radagast perfectly - he's kindness itself, wise and compassionate and unearthly in his own way. I laughed at the line “A little bird told me”!! One little thing - shouldn't this be AD, not BC? Anyway, I really enjoyed this! :-) Author Reply: Hi, Dot, and thanks for reading! I'm glad you liked it, and mainly the way I portrayed Maglor, since it's my first attempt to write a Silm Elf. Your lovely review warmed my heart> :) Oh, and thanks for the AD/BC thingie... Peace, Werecat | |
| Eruanna | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 4/17/2005 |
| Thank you for this. I can't tell you how it's blessed my heart. The Latin is hauntingly beautiful, as are your wonderful descriptive passages. You've drawn together so many disparate threads so skillfully! Most of all, there is a distinctly Celtic and Christian feel to this that makes the heart want to sing. :) >>The songs of the Eldar had ceased. The songs of the mortals had not yet been sung. And the sparrow chirped anew.<< This is just profound. Thank you so much for sharing! Blessings, Eruanna Author Reply: Hi, Eruanna, and thanks for reading - and for your kind words as well. Your lovely review warmed my heart today. Peace, Werecat | |
| Bodkin | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 4/17/2005 |
| Poor Maglor. I'm glad he found his way home. He seems an introspective type, who torments himself far more than any of his brothers would have done and has, probably, more difficulty forgiving himself than others would in forgiving him. Maybe. And I hope that Radagast is able to return at will. I suppose that, as a Maia, he can put off his flesh and become spirit. Although the birds and beasts would miss him. He is very Franciscan. (It's AD, though.) Author Reply: Hi, Bodkin, and thanks for reading. And for the BC/AD thingie too... I'm glad you liked Maglor. I have never written Silm Elves before, so I'm glad it came out all right. Thanks again, Werecat | |