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Dreamflower's Mathoms II  by Dreamflower 5 Review(s)
VirtuellaReviewed Chapter: 83 on 9/30/2010
Awww, sweet story!

Frodo needs to tell me his secret, though. My pupils with poor handwriting are very resiliently maintaining it, whatever I try!

Author Reply: Well, of course, the secret was he was teaching Moggie calligraphy rather than handwriting. Having learned both and taught both, I can say that even someone with rather dismal penmanship can learn to construct their letters very legibly with calligraphic techniques. But it *is* slower and more work than just dashing off the words in the more common cursive roundhand that is usually taught, or even printing.

My own handwriting, while legible enough, is quite different to any calligraphy that I do.

PIppinfan1988Reviewed Chapter: 83 on 9/28/2010
How sweet! Uncle Dinny is a very sharp hobbit, and Frodo a very clever little one. I got a nice chuckle of Saradoc's palms sweating as he knocked on the door of his former tutor. Too cute. Excellent story. :-)

Author Reply: Yes, revisiting an old teacher, or an old school, can bring back memories of being young and still learning, even when you liked an old teacher he or she can make you feel like a kid again!

Linda HoylandReviewed Chapter: 83 on 9/24/2010
A delightful story. I'm glad Frodo learned to enjoy his studies again.

Author Reply: I'm glad he did too. He just needed a little nudge, to get past the idea that he'd be betraying his father by accepting a new teacher.

AndreaReviewed Chapter: 83 on 9/23/2010
That was indeed very clever of Uncle Dinny!
Calimac Brandybuck's journey to the Breelands - that sounds very interesting!

I also liked it that Frodo's older cousins were willing to help. He had many friends at Brandy Hall, hobbits who really cared for him, I'm sure.

Some people think he was only a burden to the Brandybucks. I can't believe that!

Author Reply: Yes, Uncle Dinny was quite clever. Having already taught a couple of generations of Brandybucks, I think he had some idea of what would work!

I think it makes for easy drama to have him neglected or even mistreated by his mother's kin. I find that very hard to believe, personally. A neglected or abused child does not seem at all hobbity to me. I am sure that he was well-loved, if not well-understood, by his Brandybuck relations. When it is talked about how Bilbo did a kindness bringing him away from there, it has to be remembered that's gossip from the insular hobbits of Hobbiton, especially the Gaffer-- who looked with suspicion on those who dwelt across the Brandywine River. I think if anything, Frodo may have had too *much* attention there-- everyone having their own opinions of what was best for him, but not necessarily agreeing or being consistent about it.

eilujReviewed Chapter: 83 on 9/21/2010
How clever of Uncle Dinny -- particularly in tempting Frodo with Calimac Brandybuck's Adventure. (I wouldn't mind reading it myself.)

Author Reply: Oh dear! *shoves bunny away carefully*

Uncle Dinny is a rather clever Brandybuck, I would say!

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