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| Better than Frodo Baggins by Inkling | 12 Review(s) |
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| French Pony | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 11/4/2005 |
| I really liked this story. I loved the less-than-charitable look at Frodo because I found it refreshing. He does tend to be shown as well nigh a saint, holy and self-sacrificing. He was rich, mysterious, handsome, talked-about, popular -- what's not to love about him? Except, of course, if you're the one who's not the golden kid. Lotho isn't ordinarily a sympathetic character, but I do feel for him here, so much. The simultaneous joy of having the Light Of Frodo shine upon him, the humiliation of having to be rescued by Frodo, and the fact that, once Frodo appears, Lotho seems to just fade into the background -- it's very realistic, and one can see why Lotho would be jealous. Author Reply: Hi French Pony…yes indeed, young Frodo was no saint! After all, the only real clue we have to his youth is Farmer Maggot calling him “one of the worst young rascals of Buckland”—a characterization I had fun exploring in another fic. I’m glad you liked this and was interested to hear your reaction to Lotho, as I was not consciously trying to write a “pity the poor Lotho” story. It was more a desire to explore his possible motivations and how he might have turned out the way he did. He is not a nice person and I wanted to show him warts (or pimples!) and all, but you’re right…in the end, he is pitiable, just as Gollum is. Thanks for reviewing! | |
| Marion | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 11/4/2005 |
| Hurrah! Finally someone who shows Lotho as being-bullied-to instead of being a bully. He was called 'the Pimple' by younger cousins like Pippin after all.. An it always seemed like sense to me that someone who has been bullied all his life would be more susceptible to Saruman's plots of grandeur. Good for you for giving us this unique fic! Author Reply: Thank you, Marion! I was sort of nervous about posting this fic, as I wasn’t sure how well received this interpretation of the characters would be. So your quick vote of confidence was very much appreciated! :) I’m glad you could see Lotho this way, and that you enjoyed the story. | |