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The Measure of Love by Antane	10 Review(s)
Marillë	Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 1/11/2022
Oh, Antane, thank you so much for this wonderful masterpiece, and for all you do to defend our beloved hobbits and our (and Tolkien’s, and Frodo’s and Sam’s) beautiful Catholic faith. It’s so difficult to speak up sometimes when the truth we fight for is attacked on every side in the name of “tolerance” or “that-might-be-true-for-you-but-not-for-me” (Truth Is Truth! and there’s nothing more intolerant than to ignore the suffering of these individuals, or to pretend that it’s normal — one might as well tell a schizophrenic that their hallucinations are real, or someone with depression that their self-hatred is deserved). I spent nights in tears when I first found out that this terrible sickness in our culture had dared to lay its hands on the incredible friendship of our Ring-bearers. Seeing this defense brought tears of joy. I read some of your books some time ago (Chosen, Moments of Grace and Spiritual Warfare, and The Long Way Home), and believe me when I say they fed my Tolkien love. I had been a “Frodo enthusiast” (as my friend would gently put it) for a few years before that, but your works showed me so much about him that I had never considered before. I was so delighted to discover your fanfiction last month! I have to say, one of my favorite parts is the ongoing debate between Frodo and Sam about who did more. Very in character! :D I’ve always thought that the parts of the Red Book that praise Frodo most must have been written by Sam, and vice versa. And the love story between Ilúvatar and each one of the characters! (I loved the “dark room” that is the “most beautiful place” on Tol Eressëa, and all the other wonderfully significant elements you added to Frodo and Sam’s experience in the West!) It’s very refreshing to see this kind of fanfiction. Anyway, I will force myself to stop gushing, and say hantanyel once more for all your work! Author Reply: My dear Marille, much belated but heartfelt thanks for all your very kind words! I got hit by the flurona around this time and also have been busy finally finishing the first volume of a new fantasy series that came out so this email among many others got buried and I am finally digging my way out. But many many thanks for loving my work - fic and nonfic! I am glad to have deepened your knowledge and appreciation of our favoriting-bearer, as mine was by the many other enthusiasts. Maybe you'd like the fantasy too but don't look for it on the devouring dragon that starts with A. Right now it's just an ebook and a steal at 99c - a print version is going to follow later on. It's on bn.com and is slowly spreading out to other vendors. Namarie, God bless, Antane :)

Cibilka	Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 1/9/2022
Greetings! :) Been catching up on all your works. I agree with most of what the essay states, though not to discredit some parts of it, I personally don't prefer to explicitly label their relationship. I do agree that their 'brotherhood' is similar to that of David and Jonathan. Essentially, without labeling it, they both deeply respect, trust, and exalt each other. In Sam's case, even right in the very beginning, he holds his master in high regard and authority. Frodo, on the other hand, not so quite! He has always been a kind and generous master, but I don't think his feelings towards Sam change until much later in the story, after time and time again the latter proves to be ever-faithful and dependable. Sam is able to prove himself heroic plenty of times and Frodo acknowledges and appreciates him for it. He lauds him as his hero if he has to choose just one (Sauron Defeated, Scouring of the Shire). Honestly, what I really love about their bond is that they're both so humbled in each other's company, and it's just so lovely to witness. In Sam's eyes, sharing such profound experience with Frodo only deepened his love for him, while Frodo discovers the extent of this love for him, thus giving him praise in return. Frodo is right, Sam is deserving of being so much more, not just a servant. He's practical, honest, hardworking, loyal, and has an uncomplicated world-view. His wits indeed will be needed! Sam is smarter than what others give him credit for, and Frodo knows this. Tl;dr: Yes, they do love each other, not in a romantic way or anything. It's the kind of love that's quite rare and can only be shared and experienced by those who are directly and personally involved. Frodo and Sam found comfort, hope, and strength in each other during their journey. They had nobody else. That's why their bond is very fierce and intimate. I'm not very knowledgeable about Middle-earth lore, but who else in Middle-earth had a journey exactly like theirs? There might be others, but only a few!

Cibilka	Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 1/9/2022
Greetings! :) Been catching up on all your works. I agree with most of what the essay states, though not to discredit some parts of it, I personally don't prefer to explicitly label their relationship. I do agree that their 'brotherhood' is similar to that of David and Jonathan. Essentially, without labeling it, they both deeply respect, trust, and exalt each other. In Sam's case, even right in the very beginning, he holds his master in high regard and authority. Frodo, on the other hand, not so quite! He has always been a kind and generous master, but I don't think his feelings towards Sam change until much later in the story, after time and time again the latter proves to be ever-faithful and dependable. Sam is able to prove himself heroic plenty of times and Frodo acknowledges and appreciates him for it. He lauds him as his hero if he has to choose just one (Sauron Defeated, Scouring of the Shire). Honestly, what I really love about their bond is that they're both so humbled in each other's company, and it's just so lovely to witness. In Sam's eyes, sharing such profound experience with Frodo only deepened his love for him, while Frodo discovers the extent of this love for him, thus giving him praise in return. Frodo is right, Sam is deserving of being so much more, not just a servant. He's practical, honest, hardworking, loyal, and has an uncomplicated world-view. His wits indeed will be needed! Sam is smarter than what others give him credit for, and Frodo knows this. Tl;dr: Yes, they do love each other, not in a romantic way or anything. It's the kind of love that's quite rare and can only be shared and experienced by those who are directly and personally involved. Frodo and Sam found comfort, hope, and strength in each other during their journey. They had nobody else. That's why their bond is very fierce and intimate. I'm not very knowledgeable about Middle-earth lore, but who else in Middle-earth had a journey exactly like theirs? There might be others, but only a few! Author Reply: Greetings right back - and apologies for being so late - got hit by the flurona around this time and also after that much of my free time was spent finishing the first in a new fantasy series that I've been working on that is out at last. So a lot of emails got buried but heartfelt thanks, my sister in hobbity love, for such a lovely review. You are so right on many things. I agree in retrospect, despite what a lot of my own fic says, book-Frodo's feelings for Sam didn't truly reach the depth they did on the Quest until they endured that hell together. No one had a journey so dark, as Aragorn himself acknowledges. They had no one else, true, no other ally that was visible to them, but I love how the Valar watched over them, and certainly God/Iluvatar. Namarie, God bless, Antane :)

H.G.	Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 11/16/2015
Holy crud. I am reading through the reviews to make sure the CARP has not shown up. WHO IS THIS CATW. I WILL DEAL WITH HIM WHEN I FINISH WITH THE OTHER PERSON. SAM WOULD LOVE THIS ESSAY. HOW. DARE. YOU. CATW. Author Reply: I have no idea, but I suspect he is a she as more fic writers are. And he/she better watch out for H.G. the Stouthearted, bristling with wrath! :) Namarie, God bless, Antane :)

H.G.	Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 8/11/2015
Wow, great essay Anne Marie! Although I always found it more philia love than agape... (philia means brotherly love and agape means parent-child ^.^ like us and God ^.^.) And I like the quotes from Sean too. That man is probably the person I stalk most on the internet. Besides you, of course. ^.^ Because I love to stalk you ^.^ and I love this smiley face ^.^ I'll stop now ^.^. Author Reply: Philia for sure but as the Quest grows worse, definitely only agape love could have gotten them both to the Mountain. Glad you enjoyed! Namarie, God bless, Antane :)

KathyG	Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 10/8/2014
It's clear from reading The Lord of the Rings that Sam's love for Frodo is a deep, pure kind. No one could find a truer friend than Frodo found in Samwise Gamgee. I agree that Sam Gamgee himself would be horrified at the spin that some people who have read the novel have put on Sam and Frodo's relationship. You have described it very well, Antane. Author Reply: Thank you, Kathy! I am glad that you enjoyed the essay! Namarie, God bless, Antane :)

telstar	Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 2/21/2010
If you have read The Pooh Perplex by Frederick C. Crews, you know that there can be as many interpretations of a literary work as there are readers of it, be it the Bible, Lord of the Rings, or Winnie the Pooh. It's not for you to say that any one interpretation is more valid than another. Does it not occur to you that there is more than one way of interacting with literature? You have chosen one way, which for you is the right way. It doesn't necessarily follow that it must therefore be right for everybody else. There is much in what you write that I can appreciate, and even agree with to some extent. I too don't believe that Tolkien intended Sam and Frodo to be lovers; but that doesn't mean it must be wrong for anyone else to think of them in that way. Slash writers (unlike Christians) do not as a rule insist that anyone who doesn't share their viewpoint must be "converted" - we're quite happy for anyone not comfortable with the idea to simply pass on by. I can understand that, with your background, you find homosexuality (and by extension, slash) puzzling, offensive and alienating, and you would prefer it didn't exist. Believe me, I feel the same way about religion. But I can see that it works for many people, even if not for me, and so I accept it. Perhaps you could try doing the same. Author Reply: It seems from all the negative reviews I have gotten here that I have touched a very sensitive cord with some people. Of course there's more than one way to look at literature and all of life. We all look through our own particular prism. This is mine. Namarie, God bless, Antane :)

catw	Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 2/21/2010
How does it come that you write an essay about love? What on earth make you think that you know what love is? You even don’t know the basics of love: respect, acceptance, tolerance and understanding. You are not capable to tolerate other opinions and you pass judgment with harmful words. This shows very plainly that you doesn't have the foggiest idea what love is and, even more so, what unconditional love is. I’m sure Sam Gamgee would not agree with your “essay” and you really should pray that your god is not too mad about your arrogance, because Christians believe that their god is the only one who judges those who do wrong things. It’s not your job to hold judge's gavel. Think about it next time when prejudice get's the better of you. Author Reply: I know very well I am not up to the level of the unconditional love that Sam demonstrates, but I would think he would be rather horrified that anyone would think his love is anything other than the completely pure thing that it is. Namarie, God bless, Antane :)

cookiefleck	Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 2/20/2010
There is so much wrong with what you have written in this essay, that it bears commenting. Our community of LOTR writers and readers have a polite understanding that we will respect each other's opinions as expressed in fan fiction, and that we'll bite our tongue when someone's writing is poor or ill-advised. Therefore, I can understand why that other reader who commented felt the need to remain anonymous. I do not feel that need. I have bitten my tongue many a time when I have read your stories that emphasize, over and over, the "brother of his heart" and Christian fundamentalist mantra that you promote in the guise of fan fiction. This essay of yours is more direct and I feel it demands a public response. I suspect many more would echo some if not all of my thoughts if they did not feel constrained by the politeness of the community. To put my cards on the table, my favorite character for many years (books and film) has always been Sam. I admire his selflessness, bravery, loyalty, etc. I know that you and I are alike in this respect and I have enjoyed some of your stories. I do not think Tolkien meant for Sam and Frodo to be perceived as lovers. When I read fan fiction I prefer to read stories that portray them as Tolkien portrayed them, although if written well I can enjoy some of the F/S stories that are out there. And I am not religious. I realize that Tolkien was a religious man but I very much appreciate that "God" is not a character in Middle-earth. Finally, I am a straight female, just in case you think I am a wild and scary Lesbian come to attack you. You view Middle-earth through the prism of your deep religious convictions. That causes you to perceive the story through a skewed prism of your own making. So be it. We all have our bias and singular perceptions. Where I take issue with what I have read of your work and with this essay is your constant attempt to proselytize to fellow Tolkien afficionados. And, in this case, to judge others and promote your homophobic concerns. Perhaps instead of being so quick to judge others and promote your own views, you should be taking an honest look in the mirror and asking why you feel the need to constantly justify and promote your beliefs. Lord of the Rings is a story. A powerful, moving and entertaining story. There is no need to try to describe Frodo and Sam's relationship beyond what Tolkien wrote. He described a complex relationship that started out as a friendship and grew to more through tests of courage and loyalty. We know from what Tolkien has said and written that he had the WWI batman example in his mind, and that Frodo and Sam loved each other. They don't need to be "knitted souls." They are not "brothers of the heart." It is not a "holy" love. In other words, they don't need to be redefined and made out to be something even more than what the story says. And, to cite one particularly curious example, in the case of "It was no coincidence that Sam was born the same year Frodo's parents drowned" - well, I agree. But it's no coincidence not for the invented reason you ascribe to it... that a Creator sat on his heavenly throne creating Sam "first and foremost to love his Frodo..." - a statement you then try to justify by dividing Sam's heart proportionally between Frodo, Rosie and assorted descendants. No, the reason it was no coincidence is because this is a STORY and Tolkien wrote the story and he made the coincidences happen. I don't want to dissect the entire essay. But I will say that selectively quoting scripture or other sources to support your hypothesis does not a reasoned essay make. Quoting various theologians is one thing, but trying to spin it so that it appears Sean Astin supports your homophobia is particularly irritating. I realize that you probably believe everything you have written. I am sorry that you cannot see the story for what it really is, rather than reflected back to you through the mirror of your fundamentalism. The real reason I decided to write this was because I was offended by your comment, "it is a great crime and sin that some 'fans' have written or drawn a total perversion of that love and violated and betrayed the innocence of these beautiful people." I don't believe in "sin" and I don't write fan fiction that portrays Frodo and Sam as lovers. But your condemnation and judgment of others is WAY out of line,and no doubt hurtful to others who are just as much FANS (no derisive quote marks needed) of Tolkien and his work. Your so-called Creator did not create YOU to be judge and jury of others and to label them as sinners. And yes, it's pretty obvious that you are homophobic. You've been indoctrinated by your church and feel that homosexuality is a sin. Fine... I am not going to change your mind, even if I wrote 1,000 pages on the virtues of tolerance and understanding, of educating yourself so that you would know homosexuality is inborn and not a choice (and therefore how can it be a perversion... what a ridiculous viewpoint), and of being a critical thinker instead of spending your life trying to justify the world as seen through the prism of your Bible. Fine... then OWN your homophobia. But leave it out of Middle-earth. Author Reply: I have certainly struck a very sensitive chord here. I am not homophobic. I have had gay and lesbian friends. I simply wished to speak of my belief, as others have spoken of the opposite belief, that Sam and Frodo are not gay. I am not a fundamentalist either. Sean Astin said he had no problem that others thought they were lovers, but he is entirely correct that the power of this incredible love comes from its purity and innocence. Namarie, God bless, Antane :)

	Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 2/15/2010
It is a great crime and sin that some ‘fans’ have written or drawn a total perversion of that love and violated and betrayed the innocence of these beautiful people. And so a better title for your essay would be 'My Homophobia: Let Me Show It To You.' Author Reply: Ah, my anonymous reviewer you have returned! It is not homophobic to show the true nature of this incredible love that is purer and deeper than thing that passes for that much-abused and misunderstood word 'love' and much more than many people will ever have in their lives. 'Tis a pity that in our sex-obsessed world that people can't see that true love can exist outside the romantic and sexual and often does not exist inside same. Namarie, God bless you and enlighten you, Antane :)

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