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| Chrysalids by Raksha The Demon | 19 Review(s) |
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| Cairistiona | Reviewed Chapter: Prologue on 1/7/2009 |
| This may not be what you usually write, and it's not what I usually read, but I really enjoyed it. The imagery shimmered, and the warmth and love in the piece was poignant without becoming overly sentimental. It had that same sort of joy-tempered-by-sorrow ache to it that Tolkien's works do (and indeed, that life itself has). Lovely! Author Reply: What a wonderful review, Cairistiona - thank you! It's certainly not every day that something I wrote is compared to qualities of Tolkien's works. And yes, Frodo's post-Ring War years in Middle-earth are extremely poignant, he definitely deserved to grow old in the Shire, whole and well. | |
| Elflingimp | Reviewed Chapter: Prologue on 1/7/2009 |
| That was so beautiful Raksha! I had tears in my eyes(sniff)Hugs The Imp Author Reply: Thanks for reading and reviewing, Imp - I'm glad the story moved you. | |
| shirebound | Reviewed Chapter: Prologue on 1/7/2009 |
| I'm just speechless with wonder. This is absolutely beautiful. Author Reply: I'm so pleased that you liked the story, Shirebound, considering your experience writing fine hobbit stories. Thank you for reviewing. | |
| eiluj | Reviewed Chapter: Prologue on 1/6/2009 |
| An absolute jewel of a story, and a most unusual one! I enjoyed your characterization of the three very different Valier, and their appearance in the guise of the Three Fates. And I'm always a sucker for a good bit of Frodo-angst. *sigh* So now the next question: exactly how *do* you envision Frodo's healing and life in Aman? A couple of details: The singular form of Valier is apparently Valië [see the Encyclopedia of Arda's article "Valier," http://www.glyphweb.com/arda/v/valier.html]. Far from Bag End having sheltered "so many generations" of Bagginses, it had been built quite recently, by Bilbo's father: "Bungo, that was Bilbo's father, built the most luxurious hobbit-hole for her (and partly with her money) that was to be found...." ["An Unexpected Party," The Hobbit; the "her" in question was of course Bungo's wife Belladonna Took Baggins.] That sounds -- to me, at least -- as if it was a new smial, not merely enlarged (though it seems difficult to believe no one had built there before Bungo: such a lovely south-facing hilltop property, with what must surely have been one of the best views in the Shire). Author Reply: Thanks for the reminder about the generations of Bagginses in Bag End - hobbit history is not my strong point. I changed it to three - for Belladonna, Bilbo, and Frodo. As for Valie, the Encyclopedia (that I consulted frequently for this story, along with other sources and of course LOTR itself) of Arda says that Valie is "apparently" the singular of Valier and that Tolkien never used the word Valie; so I won't either. Wouldn't you love to have these three Valier come to your kid's birth or christening party or whatever? And sewing circles or quilting bees take on a whole new meaning if Vaire is involved! How would I envision Frodo's healing in Aman? I would leave that to Varda & co. Perhaps there would be some stellar radiation involved, or using the light of Earendil's Silmaril? I'm sure they'll figure it out; if not, writers like Larner (who's written lots of great Frodo stories on this site) will. As for Frodo's life in Aman - I hope he'll find some new kinds of food to like; and writes a few more books, perhaps a biography of Olorin. I'm personally hoping that Tom Bombadil can come to visit and liven up the place. Thanx for a wonderful review, eiluj. | |
| Dreamflower | Reviewed Chapter: Prologue on 1/6/2009 |
| Oh, I'm so glad I caught this bit of beauty before closing down the computer for the night! What a wonderful picture the three had, in their glimpses of the little family, "cocooned in love". And I am so glad that Frodo was able to "speak" to Varda, the Lady who had watched over him in the darkest days of the Quest. *grin* And I loved the gentle squabbling of the sisters! Author Reply: Thanks for this lovely review, Dreamflower! I imagine that there was a lot of love in Bag End; and the baby made it even warmer - and harder for Frodo to say goodbye. I did think that Frodo was a very special soul, and would have been able to perceive Varda, even cloaked as she was. Oh, I had fun with the three Queens - I think of Vaire as the know-it-all younger sister, Yavanna as the slightly ditzy (she's got a lot to do, and she loves colors and shapes and making new things) middle child, and Varda as the classic oldest sister - well-meaning and responsible and rather full of herself. | |
| 6336 | Reviewed Chapter: Prologue on 1/6/2009 |
| So instead of three good fairies attending her birth, Elanor had three Valier! More please, Lynda Author Reply: Sorry, that's all the muse gave me. But thanks for reading and reviewing. Yes, who needs three good fairies when three Queens of the Valar come calling! Elanor was a very special hobbit; gladly awaited and much loved. I still think it's a shame that Frodo couldn't stay and see her grow up... | |
| illereyn | Reviewed Chapter: Prologue on 1/6/2009 |
| What a lovely start to the year! Thank you, Raksha! Author Reply: Thanx for reading and reviewing, illereyn. Yes, the story was conceived as a new year's piece; I'm only four-five days late! I'm glad you liked it. | |
| Larner | Reviewed Chapter: Prologue on 1/6/2009 |
| I, too, have seen Frodo in terms of his chrysalis form, preparing ever to leap out of his last form to rejoice in the new and the new world it opens to him! This is so right, so beautiful, so proper for the birth of the first true child of the New Age, as much a nascent butterfly to be made as the one who cradles her in his arms. And Imhiriel must be very pleased indeed! Author Reply: I didn't have your lovely stories in mind when I started with the chrysalis theme; though it makes a lot of sense, doesn't it. Actually, I applied it three times in the story (Elanor, Frodo, and the three Valier when they shuck their temporary forms and tear off through the cosmos for home). I think Frodo longed for healing and freedom from suffering, but he also loved his home and friends; making that choice would have been difficult. I'm so pleased you liked the story; since you write such outstanding pieces dealing with Frodo and the Shire during this time. | |
| Linda Hoyland | Reviewed Chapter: Prologue on 1/6/2009 |
| This is a beautiful story.I loved the idea of the Valar acting as Elanor's "Fairy" godmothers.I am not surprised that Frodo sensed them.It is a lovely idea that Elanor is the first born of the new age. Author Reply: Well I thought that Elanor would just about have to be the firstborn of the Fourth Age! Yes, just about the most cosmic Fairy Godmothers around; aren't they?! Thanx for your wonderful review, Linda; I know the story's a bit outside your comfort zone, so I'm doubly pleased that you enjoyed it. | |