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| Light from the West by Armariel | 215 Review(s) |
|---|---|
| Bodkin | Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 5/11/2006 |
| Frodo is right, really. The Shire might have taken on heavenly overtones in his memory - but he has moved on and this is now his home. If he was able to go back, it wouldn't be long before he was hankering after Tol Eressea. Good that he sees that. His communication with Sam ... probably a comfort, I would think. A warm and fuzzy feeling for Sam - and the knowledge that Frodo is all right. Such reassurance will help him get on with his own life. Author Reply: Oh yes...there's a saying, a Jewish one I think: "When a man marries, he divorces his mother." So it is with Frodo--Tol Eressea is his "bride" and the Shire is his "mother"...and to go back to his "mother" would be unthinkable, even though he will always remember her lovingly. Yes, an immense comfort--I have a "Sam" in a distant country also, so I KNOW how that goes. I don't know what I'd do if I couldn't communicate with her via the internet. And I know she feels the same! ~~~{~@ | |
| Larner | Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 5/9/2006 |
| And what a thing to feel guilty for? Yet it is a valid question, and one Frodo needed to answer for himself. And, of course, a child asked it, the question he needed to answer. Author Reply: I guess Frodo's got a Catholic conscience? heheh I'm Protestant, but have Catholic friends and they joke from time to time about guilt, and my one-time roommate was raised Catholic but has less of a sense of humor about the guilt part. I dare say the child was getting a bit worried about whether he would go back if someday he just might be allowed. Imaginative kids do have such anxieties a lot, and it got me to thinking, well, WOULD he go back? It was really something to think about. If he were fully healed in body and mind, and were given the choice of going back, would he take it? Or would he stay in Paradise, where he is beloved and appreciated by all, and has spiritual and educational opportunities unavailable to him where he come from? I could hardly decide. Yet the answer he gives is the one that rings true to me, somehow. Not exactly sure why! ~~~{~@ | |
| Antane | Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 5/7/2006 |
| I love this about the dolls looking reproachful and guilty. Very good letter overall. I know Frodo will get his sign and it will be a very enthusiastic yes - Sam would never want to lessen his Frodo's joy and I'm sure he has the same joy that he can still be with his dear one - but still I wait nervously. You are getting me more intrigued all the time about reading Bear Me Away, now with the mention of 'my new found faith' - I assume you go into more detail on all this in the story? I've been avoiding it up to this point because I don't like anything racy and I believe Frodo died a virgin. Sorry I didn't sign last post. I am very glad that the Spirit of Frodo is using you as a secretary too! :) Namarie, God bless, Antane :) Author Reply: Why, thank you! Bless you, "Bear Me Away" isn't a bit racy--there are one or two mildly naughty remarks in it, and Frodo mentions an erotic dream or two (non-explicit), but there's no sex and no violence and only a couple of mild swear-words (not from Frodo). I think you'd find "Bear Me Away" enjoyable, if you like this piece here; it's alternately serious and humorous, and really ought to be read first. The faith he finds in it I haven't really gone into as much as I would have liked, and may deal more fully with it later in "Light from the West". I don't actually think of him as being a virgin when he arrives in the West, actually, although I haven't gone into that at all and don't intend to. But I don't like to think of him as some impossibly ethereal and asexual saintly being as so many authors seem to. I'd rather keep him completely human, maybe even provide him with a bride...*ahem* But anyway, if nothing else, read the first chapter. It was originally a stand-alone story that I decided to expand into a full-length long-short (I don't know if it's really long enough to be called a novella, lol) and tell me what you think. Thanks so much for your comments! hugs Armariel~~~{~@ | |
| Bodkin | Reviewed Chapter: 4 on 5/7/2006 |
| Well - you can't have a Frodo doll without his Sam doll beside him. Dinlad sounds a typical boy - but he'll probably outgrow his orcish phase. Marilen and Lyrien as Sam and Frodo - I'll bet that if Frodo ever thought about life after the Ring, he never thought it would contain elflings pretending to be him and re-enacting his defining moment. I like the talk about the story, changing it and keeping the essential truth. Author Reply: The pure in heart instinctively know the nature of truth, I'm sure. I remember reading that Tolkien had considered the idea of having Gollum grab the Ring and jump into the fire for love of Frodo, and was intrigued with it. I thought, what if he had written it that way, would it still ring true? Hmmm...but I suppose his Muse bonked him on the head and said, "No, that is NOT how it happened." But then a precocious child who loved Frodo might become enamoured of the idea, and it would ring true to her. And I dare say Frodo and Dinlad will become good friends eventually....but maybe I better not say too much on the matter now...lol Thanks once more! ~~~{~@ | |
| Larner | Reviewed Chapter: 4 on 5/6/2006 |
| I suppose Frodo-doll and Sam-doll are indeed very happy being together at last. And I bet that Bilbo was giggling inside himself at the discussion. Author Reply: Well, maybe he was at that...he's a gifted eavesdropper even as Frodo pointed out earlier...I'll have to keep that in mind! lol And yes, surely the dolls are happy to be together, but I've a feeling Frodo had better keep them hidden or everyone will be wanting some and his little doll-maker won't have time for anything else! ~~~{~@ | |
| Reviewed Chapter: 4 on 5/6/2006 | |
| I must admit Frodo-doll looks much happier with Sam-doll sitting by his side on the bed-table. Ahhh, so sweet! Do you think she can make me some Frodo and Sam dolls, too? :) LOL about bopping Gollum on the nose instead having him bit off your finger. The innocence of children who have no concept of evil. Just like my second oldest nephew who said he would have been strong enough to throw the Ring himself and my oldest niece and I admitted we would have done the same as Frodo, "or worse" as she said. Keep writing, Frodo! I love you and your stories. I'm glad you are so happy and that Frodo-doll is happy too! :) Namarie, God bless, Antane :) Author Reply: Do you think she can make me some Frodo and Sam dolls, too? :) If she could, I'd have her make me some too, heheh...along with some Merry and Pippin and Bilbo dolls....and, uh, ummm....well, maybe I better not go there;);) Yes, I conceived of Dínlad as a Typical Boy--cocky, bossy, obnoxious, know-it-all, and convinced of his superiority to girls, animals, and hobbits, as well as the assumption that HE could have tossed in the Ring without a hitch. Whereas Lyrien and Marílen are Typical Sweet Little Girls--protective, sympathetic, nurturing, genereous, accepting of differences, and recognizing true superiority even when it comes from those smaller than themselves. I don't know why the Spirit of Frodo chose me as his secretary, but there you are! How can I refuse him? Thanks much for responding! (Frodo-doll thanks you too! haha) hugs Armariel~~~{~@ | |
| Bodkin | Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 5/4/2006 |
| Bilbo and Frodo - they both have the tongues of romancers. Of course they elaborate. But they both also know when they're not going to say something! Rûdharanion sounds more and more of an idiot as his little quirks are revealed! Let's change the story of Isildur, just to make it more suitable for elven sensibilities! Let's dislike someone just because he doesn't think a certain poet is worthy of unqualified admiration. What a fool. Working your way towards knowing someone, though, like Dûndeloth - much more sensible. I love the way little Lyrien said she would marry Frodo 'right now if her mummy would let her'. What a little poppet. Her presence must be doing so much to help Frodo heal. And he knows his little namesake is on his way. Author Reply: Oh yes...that's the difference between liars and damned liars. Rûdharanion is of the latter sort, and that's a part of why he fears Galadriel, I suppose. The truth is not in him, because, I think, deep down, he has a secret hatred for humanity. Whether or not he is redeemable and can overcome this aversion remains to be seen. (To be, uh, truthful, I don't really know where the story is going, at this point. That's the nice thing about fanfics. You don't have to present the finished product long after you've got it all finished and perfected, you can present a bit at a time and let it go where it will, and fix things along the way.) Dûndeloth isn't afraid of the truth, and so can embrace humanity despite its flaws. I guess Lyrien will be the little daughter Frodo can't have--although, obviously she doesn't think of herself that way! Yes, I've also thought she has a lot to do with his healing, and he needs her innocence as much as he needs the wisdom of his elders. Thanks so much for the FB! hugs Armariel~~~{~@ | |
| Antane | Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 5/3/2006 |
| It’s true I’ve been looking into the mirror a good deal lately, but I don’t think it’s vanity. I think it’s more an attempt to become reacquainted with myself. To try and reconcile the being I was when I first came here with the image that looks back at me now, to search for any signs of accusations, for the being trapped deep inside, for the light I’m told illuminates me but which I never can see myself, for the door to open to allow that light to escape until the reflection and I change places and my own light and the Great Light are one. Very interesting! “Now Bilbo dear,” I say, “you should know by now that I’m no good at chucking things into the fire." LOL! I love this whole letter. It really shows the love between the two of them. I love the first little faults being pointed out to the poet too. Namarie, God bless, Antane :) Author Reply: Thank you! Yeah, gotta love that Bilbo, the old rascal;)...just couldn't let go of him somehow and had to write more! I really like the two of them together and like to read stories that feature them. And I wanted Frodo to leave his guilt behind and learn to love himself again...to get at least a glimmer of what others see in him...... Thanks so much for the FB! Means a lot to me. blessings & cheer Armariel~~~{~@ | |
| Larner | Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 5/3/2006 |
| A nice contrast to the other poet, I must say; and love the discussions of faults and strengths. Sounds as if that wine is far stronger than Frodo had anticipated! Lovely! Author Reply: And I think he did have more than one glass!;) This chapter was both difficult and fun, which is rather unusual for me. The collection isn't quite behaving as I had intended; it was meant to be a series but is starting to behave more like a serial--we're still not through with Rûdharanion yet! Well, I guess I should let it do as it pleases, it will, one way or another...and I love it when reviewers put ideas into my head, as some of them do! Thanks so much! ~~~{~@ | |
| Larner | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 5/1/2006 |
| Hooray for Bilbo! And hooray for Frodo as well! Lovely championing of Tilwen here, and well deserved. Author Reply: Guess it was getting time for Bilbo to have a Moment...and I wasn't really quite expecting it just then, he merely jumped up and started proclaiming and of course I didn't even try to stop him, just silently egged him on...do characters ever get away from you at unexpected moments and act independently like that? Personally, I love it when they do! Especially when they get some fur flying.... Thanks bunches:D ~~~{~@ | |