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Fairy Tales of Middle-Earth  by DrummerWench 5 Review(s)
earthdragonReviewed Chapter: 2 on 12/23/2015
This was a beautiful story, although I'm rather sad that the web smith didn't find a soulmate of her own.

Author Reply: Thank you for reading and commenting! At first, I did try to get her hooked up with the king, but she would have none of it (characters are like that)! For now, she's happy being single.

TariReviewed Chapter: 2 on 3/12/2010
What a beautiful use of spider webs. I could use some myself. I don't recall Tolkien saying anything about how King Thranduil met his wife. Your interpretation is quite lovely.

I don't remeber who told me to read your stories and ficlets, but I'm very glad they did.

perellethReviewed Chapter: 2 on 9/13/2006
I'm taking these drop by drop...! It's been so long since I last read a fairy tale, but I used to read a lot of these as a child...and I'm delighted to find again the style, and the rythm and the subtle ways of saying things. I love it, and also bow to your skill, for I am aware that it must be difficult to maintain!

I loved the detail of the web smith! I loved imagining the beautiful things she woud craft with such material. And also the thought that once the spider webs were useful and the spiders not enemies. Very Tolkiensque detail, to show how things were before they were corrupted by hthe sadow in Dol Guldur!

There is another thing that caught my eye particulary, because it has to do with my own views and the things that interest me: but others were naught similar, seeming to the Forest Elves haughty and cold. Therefore, they shunned them, and left them to their own devices. I love how you manage to convey the coldness towards a foreigner in such a short sentence. And of course, I loved all the process of finding Thranduil's Queen (and the subtle irony that she would be one of the haughty and cold!)Congratulations again.


Author Reply: perelleth, somehow I missed this review earlier. Thank you so much for your enthusiastic words - I really appreciate it.
At first, you know, I thought the web-smith would wind up with the king, but it didn't work out that way, somehow. It's funny how the characters just put their feet down and do what they want, instead of what you thought they should have!
DW

LarnerReviewed Chapter: 2 on 8/23/2006
Oh, a lovely tale indeed, and a proper one for Thranduil's realm. Not Shelob these, but Arachne the Weaver.

Author Reply: Thank you! Yes, the spiders need not be inherently evil, and the Elves can work their "magic" on many humble objects.
DW

PryderiReviewed Chapter: 2 on 6/26/2006
Well I have now read this again and I have to congratulate you on capturing the tone of Fairy Tale so well. The two similar events to start and finish the story each consisting of three separate parts, you handled really well I thought. Also it must be really tempting to abandon the plain narrative style to develop the characters of your protagonists. Fairy Tale does not develop character in my experience and neither do you seem to try. It is worth noting that one of the criticisms of Tolkiens work is that his characters are "cardboard".I think these critics miss the point entirely!
Anyway another super story which I really enjoyed.

Author Reply: Thanks for your kind words, Pryderi! Yes, the plain style of Fairy Tale can be a challenge to maintain, sometimes. Fortunately (for Fairy Tales, at least) my natural tendency is toward a less embellished story. Tolkien's critics, aside from missing the point, also seem to miss his subtle "show, don't tell" character development.
DW

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