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| Concerning Sam by Kara's Aunty | 11 Review(s) |
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| Celeritas | Reviewed Chapter: 13 on 10/11/2008 |
| Since this is the last one I thought I'd just go through as I read and make the review really really long again... the heady scent of woodland trees and rain dampened earth Ahh. Lovely bit of description there. He’d been left to do it alone last night when they refused to go to sleep without hearing the tale of how he’d first met the Hobbits at Bree - again. Ah, small children. Bane of their parents' sleep, but adorable nonetheless. He’d seen the multitude of Hobbits who’d accompanied Merry, Pippin and himself to the Bridge staring at him in awe after that. Life was going to be a bit awkward for a while when he got back home. Understatement of the day! Poor Sam, although I imagine his bumbling attempts to avoid such fame will make many a nice fireside tale for Frodo when they're reunited. XD The reappearance of Farlibar was a very pleasant surprise. I love hobbit OCs. And Merry and Pippin are at it again? *tsks* Some folk never learn... I'd like to think, though, in later years Farlibar will realize exactly what's going on and give as good as he gets! ...Scratch that, he just did. *grins* Given the parallels you've been drawing between Frodo's post-Ring afflictions and Sam's, I'm glad you gave him a comfort jewel, too. It fits with the rest of the story very well, and has some nice tie-ins with the old gem-craft of the Silm. “But I don’t want to wound Rosie any more when I look West. I don’t want her to feel like I’m just whiling away the time here ’til I leave, it‘s not fair on her!” *sniffle* Aragorn's response to that is a really good comfort to Sam--the idea that Rosie knows she won't be leaving Sam alone when she passes! Never quite thought of that before. “Sorry ‘bout that sir, it’s just...well, you know...” “That you are self-effacing to the point of frustration and blush at the mere thought of gratitude? Yes, I know.” Hee hee hee! Yay for Sam's brown eyes! *hearts canonical eyecolor* The coda at the end was simply inspiring--nothing like Sam's native tenacity to leave a smile on your face. Thanks so much for citing me at the end--I didn't realize that my commentary was so appreciated. I enjoyed getting to read this entire story. A number of parts weren't easy for me to enjoy because they went against my expectations/interpretations and they made me think. Which is good, because if I were to click the back button every time I disagreed with someone's interpretation I'd only read my own writing, which is very stifling! And added to that your interpretations were fresh and (I believe) never set forth on SoA before. That's what I look for in an author--one who expands and challenges the reader's thoughts on canon and fanon alike, but always making sure that she stays true and cleaves ever closer to the original. I hope you have a number of stories left in you (especially looking forward to the oneshot!) and that your style and confidence improve and flourish over time--I love looking at authors' early works and comparing their progress with later ones. And if this is just your first fic, as long as you always strive to better yourself and your original interpretations I can guarantee that I'll read and review whatever you put on this site in the days to come. Welcome again to SoA and I wish you many happy returns to the site! ~Celeritas Author Reply: Hello Celeritas, I'm really glad you enjoyed CS because it was a work of passion for me. It was the story I have always wanted to read, but that no one wrote. For what seems like ages I've had so many questions about the One Ring's possible effects on Sam - but they weren't being answered, the scenario remained unexplored by fanfiction authors; so I realised if I was ever to see such a story, I'd have to write it. But that meant I'd have to forgo the pleasure of finally discovering it by a much more experienced author; that there was a likelihood I'd probably ruin the entire thing with my gauche attempts at storytelling. Plus I wouldn't be able to read and truly enjoy it myself as I'd written it - can you imagine: finally there's a fanfic with the questions I'd wanted answered, the scenarios I'd envisaged - and there's no rush of happiness or satisfaction at the discovery because I wrote the bloomin' thing myself. Grrr! Still, I've enjoyed writing Concerning Sam. I had absolutely NO IDEA how much hard work even a couple of thousand words could be when the subject matter was LOTR (I'd written 2 HP oneshots before but they were easier to write because the HP world isn't anywhere near as complex). All the bloomin' research I'd have to do for even the smallest of things (e.g. where Lake Evendim lay in relation to Annúminas; the layout of the Citadel in Minas Anor; which towns/cities/regions the Great East Road crossed)! Then I had to be so smart and include just about every race in ME - and as a result was stuck with trying to imagine their individual (as a race)- then combined - interactions and manner of speech! Aagh! This was why I'd rather have read someone else's, because I wouldn't be doing all the hard wor myself (I know, I'm a lazy so-and-so). However, it also meant I had complete control over each and every detail of the story - that I could finally voice what's been running through my mind (unanswered) for a few years now. It just never sat right with me that Sam had worn and USED the Ring on the edge of Mordor - at the height of Its power - yet lived a long life apparently free of consequence until his wife died. if he had to leave for the Undying Lands at all, the Ring must have presented a danger to him in ME throughout his life. Did the remaining Fellowship members never think about what peril Sam may face because of his Ringbearer status, given what they knew of It's affect on Frodo - or did they not believe him to be under any sort of similar threat? Also, how did the Sea longing affect Sam and his family? Now the story's over, I'm glad I had the opportunity to explore the many questions that have annoyed me forever! That I have made people think about new interpretations or challenged them with my ideas is a boon I could never have hoped for! And to be able to post here on SoA where the quality of work is ever high and the reception recieved ever warm and friendly! I am so very glad that you enjoyed Concerning Sam, even when it made you stop and think about what you yourself thought/believed. I am grateful for each and every review sent and appreciate the time you took to do so. It's always nice to get feedback and feel appreciated. Reviews give authors a feeling of justification/vindication in their work that money can't buy, so each one is precious no matter its length. On that note, I bid you adieu (for the moment) and remind you that tomorrow's Monday - your posting day. I'm looking forward to reading more about a certain Hobbit lass... Maureen :) | |