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| Beyond This World by Thundera Tiger | 18 Review(s) |
|---|---|
| Lily Took | Reviewed Chapter: Epilogue on 4/24/2004 |
| I read this story on a whim, much as you say you wrote it on one. I was interested about how you would handle Gimli's passing, for it was your stories that first got me fascinated by Legolas's and Gimli's friendship (hobbits composing almost all of my reading material). I do not believe I have ever cried so hard while reading fanfiction. The tears flooded out from the description of Merry and Pippin's death and did not relent until the middle of your author's notes. As I write this, I fear I am in peril of breaking down once again. The raw emotions, beautiful, Tolkien-esque dialogue, and characters completely in-character all weave together to make this story one of power. Your word choice is precise and, upon first read, I could find nothing to change (although I must admit that I was too lost in the story to view it from the perspective of an editor). The sunrise and the phrase "the speed of a wizard and the tenacity of a hobbit" were especially vivid. The use of brief humor was also effective, for it both allowed depression to diminish for a moment as I laughed through my tears at Gimli "accidentally" leaving them in the dark for an hour, and underscored the friendship and therefore the loss. Thank you so much for the privilege of being allowed both to read your work and catch a glimpse into one of the greatest friendships in Middle-earth. Author Reply: Thank you very much for your kind words! I was especially grateful for your comments about the use of humor. My opinion is that if you go for a complete sob story without lightening the mood at all, you go completely overboard. There has to be balance, and humor shows that it's not all tears and weeping. There's joy here, too, although it's somewhat more diminished than usual. That said, I do apologize for making you cry. I tried to write something moving, not necessarily something teary. They occasionally go hand-in-hand, though, so if the tears were a problem, I'm sorry. Anyway, thank you again, and I'm flattered that my stories got you interested in the friendship between Legolas and Gimli. It's the most fascinating aspect of the books in my opinion, and I'm so glad I managed to hook someone else into it. Thank you again! | |
| fadagaski | Reviewed Chapter: Author's Notes on 3/19/2004 |
| I had an interesting thought regarding this fic yesterday. Had it been the first LOTR story I ever read, I don't think I would have been touched quite so much. That's not to lessen the quality of your work, far from it! My point is, by reading your other stuff first (namely, While The Ring Went South) the animosity and friendship between Gimli and Legolas was much deeper and more vivid for me. What Tolkien left us with regarding these two was but a snippet, too busy as he was in getting the Ring to Mordor and Aragorn to Minas Tirith, but in your stories you take that snippet and expand on it, develop it, until it captures the heart of the reader. And then you go and kill Gimli off. *glares* Thus ends my theory on why BTW touched me more after I read more of your work. *nods* Author Reply: *nods back* I very much appreciate the input, and it makes quite a bit of sense. Interesting fact: This was my second attempt at an LotR fic. I was currently midway through "While the Ring went south..." and it was an enormous stretch to go from bitter rivals to deathbed friends. But definitely an interesting exercise, and I think it gave me quite a bit of insight into the shaping of subsequent stories. Anyway, I apologize for killing Gimli, but he is mortal, after all. Offing Legolas was definitely outside the boundaries of canon, but I enjoyed it and I make no apologies for doing it. Well, at least, I make very few apologies. It seemed a fitting end to me. | |
| fadagaski | Reviewed Chapter: Epilogue on 3/6/2004 |
| I could have sworn I reviewed this! Maybe at ffnet? Anyway, here I am, with the other reviewers, come to tell you that you made me sob like ... a widow, I suppose. I've never really focused on Legolas or Gimli, yet the way you wrote their actions (and reactions) in this piece is incredible. I have never been moved so much by literature of any kind, never mind fanfic (the supposedly 'lesser' kind - HA! You've thrown that into debate). Don't know if you've ever seen this fanart, but I was browsing through deviantART when this popped up: http://www.deviantart.com/view/1199834/ It's a gorgeous picture, but the artist is right - it really doesn't do the story justice. A picture may be worth a thousand words, but a thousand of your words are priceless. I have a lump in my throat again! Author Reply: Thanks for the link! I've actually seen that before and it's also on the Axe and Bow website, but I'm flattered you thought to send the link my way. Thanks so much! And thank you even more for your very kind words. It means so much to me when people decide that fanfic could compete with real fic as far as quality goes. Because that's what I aim for, and when someone tells me I hit the mark, it makes it all worthwhile. Thanks so much! | |
| runaround | Reviewed Chapter: Epilogue on 1/11/2004 |
| thank you for making me cry like a baby...... | |
| *~SuGaR~* | Reviewed Chapter: Epilogue on 12/14/2003 |
| ok...no crying this time...*sigh*...so sweet, so sad... better stop now...might start crying again... *~SuGaR~* | |
| *~SuGaR~* | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 12/14/2003 |
| *sniff, sniff*...so sad...i cried through it all!!!! even though it ended with Legolas choosing and being happy with what he chose...*sniff* you have to put a tearjerker warning on this thing!!! i thought i cried a lot through the last chapter when Gimli actually died...*sniff*...i didn't even stop crying thorugh this one!!! i never really thought about what it would be like for them in Valinor, i always wondered whether they would die or not because they were in the Undying Lands even if they were mortal...*breaks into uncontrollable crying again* *sniff*...ok, next chapter... *~SuGaR~* | |
| Orophins Dottir | Reviewed Chapter: Epilogue on 12/5/2003 |
| I always had every good intention to review this story. It was one of the first I ever read, and tonight I have re-read it. Of the many I have read, this still remains the one which moved me most. I know what will happen and still I cry. Yet, the tears are joy. I believe that it was the right decision for Legolas to make. My deepest belief about these books is that the relationship between the elf and the dwarf is the most important to understanding them. The love of one of Tolkien's "beautiful people" for the despised dwarves, who only escaped destruction because Aule was forgiven their creation. The dwarves who were forced to wait until the elves lived. All those PC police who accuse Tolkien of racism, should somehow be forced to see the great love he created between two of the most disparate of his peoples. The fact that the one creature Legolas needed to take with him from Arda was a dwarf is astounding. I totally agree with you that he would choose Gimli over his own immortality. Shall I get off my soapbox now? I say to you thank you and well done. I also hope that you are well and have not given up with your stories. It has been long since you updated. Some of us yet wait upon "Land of Light and Shadows"! Humble Scribe to his Majesty Thranduil | |
| frodo16424 | Reviewed Chapter: Epilogue on 8/24/2003 |
| What an ending! Very good. Shoukld be rated a six-kleenex story. Some friendships should survive death, and be eternal, such as this one has. Glad to have eight of nine together singing the song of Arda. | |