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Keep Alive the Memory  by Celeritas 6 Review(s)
VirtuellaReviewed Chapter: 5 on 11/30/2008
What a good idea that reading could be good for your health! I very much liked the scene at the market, especially the fabric shop. Oh, and great sentence this:
"I’m a lass, and I know when things are stupid.”

Author Reply: Well, it certainly seems to be effecting an improvement in Kira!

Very pleased that you liked the market scene--I loved getting into Kira's mind especially as she went through some of the finer parts of town. I've always loved fabric stores but cloth would have still been quite expensive at this point (though I try to make it more affordable than it actually would have been since the Shire is also supposed to be Edwardian).

*grins at the quoteback* I love watching Kira argue with Tom!

Kara's AuntyReviewed Chapter: 5 on 11/8/2008
Hello Celeritas,

I'm so glad to see that reading has slightly improved Kira's health. And no wonder it has - being lost in a good book can turn a previously dark mood to light, and if our hearts are lighter, everything else seems that bit more pleasant too.

The description of the market was excellent. All the wonderful stalls there; the children's curiosity; Kira's wistful contemplation of parchment and ink. No doubt she'll procure some sooner or later and discover the delights of putting her own words on paper.

A very lovely chapter!


Maureen :)

Author Reply: Thanks for the review, Maureen!

Your reasoning behind Kira's change in health is spot on. I'm always pleasantly not-surprised surprised whenever some Great New Study comes out that tells us that our mood affects our health.

Kira's wistful contemplation of parchment and ink

She is turning into a bit of a dreamer, isn't she?

Glad you liked this mostly domestic chapter!

~Celeritas

Agape4GondorReviewed Chapter: 5 on 10/29/2008
I absolutely loved this - a great picture of the market. Eventually, Kira's mom can take off nd share a cup of tea with a friend whilst Kira watches the stall. That should make her mother very happy!

Author Reply: It should indeed--not only because she would get a breather but because it'd show that her daughter's infirmity wasn't preventing her from leading a normal life!

Raksha The DemonReviewed Chapter: 5 on 10/20/2008
Learning to read has obviously improved Kira's life; she seems to be stepping out in all directions. What will she think of the rest of the great story? And I wonder if her physical condition will improve...

Can't wait for the next chapter!

Author Reply: Reading is currently doing wonders for all of Kira's life--including physically--except possibly for what her friends and family think of her!

Thanks for reading and reviewing; I hope you'll like what's coming up.

LarnerReviewed Chapter: 5 on 10/20/2008
Aha! Someone's caught the reading bug BAD! Heh! And she's so taken she's run into the Mayor himself?

Love Tom's attempt to enter the Oak Barrel--it is so like a lad his age.

Author Reply: Someone's caught the reading bug BAD!

Oh, it gets better--or worse, if you're Kira's mother or friends! XD

In case you're wondering, the Oak Barrel's rule exists solely to keep curious young lads like Tom out--once you're well into your tweens they could care less (as I'm sure Tom will find out in several years!).

DreamflowerReviewed Chapter: 5 on 10/20/2008
Oh my! What a fun chapter!

Kira's friends are delightful. I love the loyal Daffy and Roly, but mischievous Tom is adorable! And I like that he offered to help Kira catch up her chores--he's not lazy, it seems, just easily bored.

The doctor seems to think that reading might be beneficial, eh? Well, that should help Kira with her mother, at any rate.

And the market was just wonderful. I loved the descriptions of all the various stalls and vendors. The mention of the "im port" stall makes it clear that whatever the opinion of Shire society at large is of the Outside, there are those who recognize the benefits of such dealings and who take advantage of it on a regular basis. And Kira's entrancement at the sight of paper and ink makes me think that she may be wishing to take up writing as well. Not an unusual reaction from one who loves reading.

I hope that soon she is going to begin to get some more of her questions answered. She has some good ones, but she's still got hold of the wrong end of the stick in trying to prove to herself (in spite of herself?) that the tales are all made up.



Author Reply: I have to admit, Tom is one of my favorite characters to write, largely because of his pig-headed obstinacy and his mischievous streak. The other three, do, however, help keep him in check, and when they can't, at least he proves to be entertaining.

I'm glad you liked the market descriptions--I usually feel a lot more at home when I'm doing dialogue than extended description, so it's good that it went over well--for you, at least! Since we know that hobbits had coffee and tea, even though these could have been "translations" for locally grown drinks, I like to think that they've historically had a considerable trade relationship with a lot of the foreign lands. But you can have a necessary bit of trade and still be suspicious of those who actually conduct the business with Outsiders--somewhere else in the story I posit a number of travelling hobbits whose job it is to transport goods for Men across the Shire where the Big Folk aren't allowed. It's a good way to make money, but it's not highly esteemed!

The Red Book will offer Kira all of the answers to her questions--as long as she accepts that it's true!

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