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| Second Mum by Larner | 166 Review(s) |
|---|---|
| Calien | Reviewed Chapter: 11 on 1/2/2019 |
| In the end, I choosed an "overall review" (not a single review for every chapter). I loved this story. You describe Esmeralda as a wondeful character - and her final letter to Frodo is so moving. No doubt she was a real second mum for him. It was difficult to understand some aspects of "Second Mum", because English is not my native language - and there were connections with other stories. I had to read something of "The Choice of Healing" and "The Acceptable Sacrifice" for a better understanding. I also read a few chapters of "The Ties of Family". I'm very impressed by your creativity: your fanfictions are much detailed and breathe all your love for the characters - not only Tolkien's characters, but yours. I like your Hobbits, such as Brendilac Brandybuck, Pando Proudfoot... but my favourite is the little Cyclamen. She is so sweet and tenderhearted! In your stories Frodo's suffering is so vivid and he needs a lot of comfort; Cyclamen seems to lift him, because of her innocence. There are a lot of people who care for Frodo, of course; and he does deserve love and care, because his Burden was so terrible! And the poor Narcissa Boffin, who falls in love with Frodo and loses every possibility because of the Ring! Please, Larner, write another story about her and Frodo. They deserve to stay together… perhaps for a little time, but together! Her marriage is happy and Brendilac is a nice Hobbit… but I’d like the description of a relationship between Narcissa and Frodo. Please! Even Esmeralda hoped that her first lad fell in love with Narcissa… Pearl Took threw him over, after all! Well, if you invent a new fanfiction about Frodo and Narcissa, I’ll gladly read it :-) :-) At the moment, I congratulate you on your writing, because "Second Mum" and other stories are very beautiful and touching. Author Reply: I am so sorry that this has taken so long to be responded to. My email has been working in hiccups coming into my server, and I've not been able to write any emails myself for months unless I am away from home. I hope to purchase a new computer that I can set up with Windows seven or eight so that I can actually send email as well as intermittently receiving it. As I've noted elsewhere, Frodo could not have lived in a vacuum--he had to have family and friends who cared for him and wanted the best for him (or, in the case of the Sackville-Bagginses, wanted the best for themselves at Frodo's expense). My daughter and stepson had their birth-families torn apart when they were very small, and as a teacher of special education I saw children who'd been robbed of their families at a young age. In almost every case, they wanted desperately to know the security of their own family as soon as they could, and I believe it would have been so for Frodo Baggins. Once the Ring became part of Frodo's life, in one manner or another It would undoubtedly have disturbed his desire to build a family of his own. As Sauron had poured so much of his own nature into the Ring as he created It, the Ring would have demanded Frodo's attention and undoubtedly would have found ways to punish him for looking at those he might love unless he did so from Its own point of view. It's a terrible thing to contemplate, but I doubt It would have been happy unless he became abusive, mistaking abuse for "strength" and "power," two of the characteristics It was created to increase in Its wielder. I am so glad that you like Cyclamen--I know that such children have always brought out my own best nature, and I suspect that she would have done much for Frodo, and particularly after his return to the Shire. As for writing a story in which Frodo and Narcissa might know a happy relationship--maybe one day, but not now. I am trying to tie up loose ends in some of my older stories, and I have so many I've not added to in years! And the plotbunnies still hop around me, hoping to be written out from time to time--not that they don't too often prove to be nuzguls with ears on! Thank you so very much for your feedback, and please forgive me. I'm also finding that as I approach my seventies it's harder to focus on writing like I used to do. Having to struggle through our current president's foolishness makes it even harder. Knowing that what he does hurts so many people throughout the world makes it even harder! I pray that the House of Representatives does its duty and impeaches him soon, and that the Senate follows through. How much longer the world can suffer his abuse I don't know. | |
| Calien | Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 3/2/2018 |
| Our beloved Frodo is so honest! Somehow I'll miss the Rascal of Buckland, but I'm glad that he decided to make amends for his mistakes. And now he is doing well and his joy is catching. Little Sam overcomes Dirna, wow! A real gardner ;-) I'm sorry for Bell Gamgee... She will dead soon, I fear :-( And poor Will Whitfoot, who loses his son. It's terrible! I love the conversation among Maggot, Bombadil and Radagast... and Esme's picture upon the grass, while she admires the flowers. | |
| Calien | Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 1/18/2018 |
| Wonderful chapter! Finally Frodo can go to Bag End. And I love Bilbo's words about his Light. I think that Frodo is very very beautiful in spiritual sense and the bright, brilliant beauty of his soul can illuminate everything. Menegilda has really prophetic dreams about Frodo's future condition? Or these dreams are consequences of her fears? Esme is a very good mother (and my english is bad, I suppose...) | |
| Calien | Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 9/26/2017 |
| I suspected that Menegilda's treatment and orders were... what can I say?... too much for Frodo. Now he seems quiet, too quiet, and I think that he isn't very happy. This time I completely agree with him – about the pranks, the other lads provoked him, after all. Bilbo is welcome at every moment, in my opinion :-) I wonder what Frodo is doing that he's only told Bilbo about... Oh, I'm sure that our lad is not doing anything wrong, but I want to find out more! Few words about Tumnus: I didn't mentioned him in my other reviews, but I like him, I like his wisdom (and obviously, I read "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" :-)) On the contrary, Dirna and Gomez's mother are quite unpleasant. That's all, for now. | |
| Calien | Reviewed Chapter: 4 on 9/4/2017 |
| Another interesting chapter! I can see Frodo like a real teenager, with his rebellion an his desire of independence... and I'm almost shocked, some actions are very thoughtless! It's a pity that he "wasted" his freedom, doing stupid things and pranks! But I think that Menegilda won't allow him to continue like this! And she will expect too much, I bet... Maggot is sensible, wow! He showed a lot of patience. Little Merry is so sweet and I love his relationship with Frodo. I'm sorry, but I need a lot of time for reading english stories :( | |
| Calien | Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 7/27/2017 |
| I'm so glad for your answers, Larner! Well, I continued the story... Interesting conversation at the beginning, the idea that Frodo is "born to help the folks, not to be served as if he was a prince in a storybook" is so... real! Poor Esme, with her problems with the tomatoes :-D Your Gomez is so spitful with Frodo! To name him "orphan"... I can see that Gomez say this word with very scorn. And certainly "mam's lad" isn't a compliment... But Frodo has a strong personality, he is capable to face the situation, and Esme's understanding is precious for him. "Dearling" is like "darling", is it? Uhm, I like Frodo's picture like a great dancer! I can see all the gracefulness that Elijah Wood shows in the movie :-) Ultimately, I'm sure that Esme and Saradoc are very good foster parents for Frodo, but Menegilda's behaviour prevents them to understand some things. Ah, Bilbo... again, good thing you're around! And I hope that little Merry will be an important character in the other chapters :-) | |
| Calien | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 6/27/2017 |
| Well, I'm trying to leave an acceptable review! I've already written something about chapter 1... yes, little Frodo is cute! And I add that his crying appears strange and particular! Esme notices it immediately; she is very sensitive and I am touched by her desire of motherhood. Bilbo is fantastic. I like to imagine the loving uncle who changes Frodo's nappies. Lobelia is very malicious and her rumors are terrible. I love your description of Frodo's interests and life... and his sensibility towards Esme and Saradoc is remarkable! I love also the idea that Frodo was born in Hobbiton: it's the sign that his real home cannot be Brandy Hall. Poor Primula who lose all those children! But she is stubborn! Menegilda has a great level of authority and I know she take care for Frodo; but Bilbo is right... "wrap him up in wool batting"... The death of Frodo's parents makes me so sad :-( Chapter 2 Well, I saw Jade Took and Narcissa Boffin and Fred Oldbuck. I have to read the list of your original characters, Larner! Uhm, Esme and Menegilda are too protective: I'm sorry that my poor lad cannot live like the others! I'm surprised that Frodo's dreams are about the Sea! So early?! And the rest... well, I admire his courage and his intelligence. Beautiful story, I will continue it! Author Reply: Again, I've been most remiss by not responding earlier. Tolkien made it plain that Frodo had true dreams of the future, so I suspect they were even more common when he was a child. I know that was true for me, and my mother said it was true of her, too. Tolkien also made it plain that Bilbo had a special love for Frodo, the one of his relatives who showed real spirit--as well as sharing his birthday. Thank you so very much for your lovely responses, and again please forgive me for not responding earlier. | |
| Calien | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 6/16/2017 |
| Well, I'm here! Chapter 1 is very interesting... Little Frodo is so cute! And your female characters are fantastic. Menegilda and Primula are very stubborn, and Esme is sweet. Frodo's heart has a problem? Oh, I'm worry! Poor child :-( It's difficult for me to leave a review, because my english isn't very good... but I like the beginning of this story. I will read soon the second chapter! Author Reply: I admit I borrowed the heart murmur from Lindelea's writing, as it was one of her stories that sparked me to write and post stories of my own. I patterned my ladies on some of the women I've known in my own life. And I find Frodo is one of my favorite characters to write about. Thank you ever so much! | |
| Soledad | Reviewed Chapter: Epilogue 2 on 10/11/2008 |
| I've been saving this one as my special birthday treat for so long, and look, it has taken me three days to read! Real Life just doesn't want us to have some undisturbed joy, does it? In any case, it was a delightful and touching read. I always liked Esmeralda, and it was fun to find the stories hinted at in many of your other tales fully told here. Of course you made me cry again, but in a good way, so that's all right. :) Author Reply: I'm honored you'd do that, Soledad. Real life does have a way of getting in the way rather rudely, I've found. Heh! Thanks so for the comments and reaction. I, too, have found myself liking Esmeralda a good deal, and felt her relationship with Frodo must have been special. To look at him life from her point of view was an honor. Again, thanks so for the feedback. I was rather sorry this didn't get more feedback in last year's MEFAs, as I feel it is a worthy story in its own right, and Esme and Saradoc a wonderful couple. Author Reply: And Happy Birthday! I'll try to get a story written for you, but it will be a bit late, of course. Heh! | |
| Antane | Reviewed Chapter: Epilogue 2 on 6/24/2007 |
| How wonderful for Esme to get a look at her first lad healed and happy again and for him to be able to see her. Very nice. Namarie, God bless, Antane :) Author Reply: One of the advantages to having cast off the mortal coil is to be able to have glimpses of others as we reach for what comes next, or so those who have undergone near-death experiences tell us; and to be fully assured that her last gift to Frodo of her wish that he might live for himself that he then be able to live for others had been fruitful must have made what was to come even more joyful. | |