Reviews for "Learning Letters"

Thu Jul 14, 2005 11:12 am

A wonderful view of the nicer side of Denethor. You showed him very aptly as a kind man and a loving father. Great job!

Thu Jul 14, 2005 1:47 pm

This was very interesting; I really enjoyed your portrayal of Denthor, Faramir and their relationship, and any discussion of them and the palantir will always get my interest ... but the little girl, although charming, seemed misplaced. Her presence raised too many questions for me to read comfortably: who is she? how did she get there? does her mother work in the Citadel? Wouldn't it be difficult to access the private areas? How did she lose her father? etc.

Fri Jul 15, 2005 5:55 am

Personally, even though I have to agree with Nancy in that the girl is a little strange, she didn't make me uncomfortable or anything. Sure, you wonder who she is, etc, but in the course of the story, it seems rather irrelevant. My opinion about her father's disappearance was that he'd been killed in Osgiliath or in a Ranger raid or something like that (which is probably not what you meant at all, but hey Wink smiley face

). Maybe you could insert some brief clue as to who her mother is or something. Anyway, this was a very touching story and I liked the way we get to see Nice!Denethor (yes!! I am indeed a convert to the "not-totally-evil-just-tortured-into-madness-Denethor"!).
Good job,
Silvae
PS : I liked the way Denethor never asks for her name. I don't know, that just seems very Denethor-y to me.

Sat Jul 16, 2005 2:33 am

I thought this was very sweet. Echoing earlier comments, it is nice to see the other side of Denethor and the fact that a young girl could bring out his softer side, your story was both original and imaginative!

Well written, Very Happy smiley face

I really enjoyed it!

Wed Aug 03, 2005 10:00 am

I really like it. Smile smiley face

Having taken care of young children under five, it actually doesn't amaze me that a small girl could get into places she is so not supposed to be going. Children are *remarkably* inventive...moreso than we adults would often like them to be.

At any rate, it is nice to see Denethor portrayed in a not-totally-evil light, since the books never portrayed him as such, either.

Tue Sep 13, 2005 3:08 pm

Just finishied reading your story and I have to say it is most excellent!

Firstly, I have to acknowledge it for its originality, its so very different from most of the stories we read of Denethor. I like the way you show him struggling with his emotions, he is obviously a man who finds it difficult to wear his heart on his sleeve, yet in your skillful hands you show him to be quite fragile in his concern over Faramir. Not an easy thing to do, which shows you have a great deal of talent!

I particularly liked the idea of the letter and the way you did not disclose what was in it straight away, giving the reader only the bare minimum clueS as to keep us all intrigued - very Clever!

Faramir's pain and rejection on meeting up with his father is balanced nicely in the next paragraph when you show us the kinder, and I like to think, REAL side of Denethor ... "His sleep was too sound for him to awake when the door opened to let Denethor in. The Steward regarded his son for a long moment, then bent down and gently brushed the hair from his face, stroking Faramir’s cheek lightly with the back of his hand." A lovely touch!

The idea of the little girl was very good. Innocent youth and plain speaking was needed to make both father and son look beyond their difficult relationship and see what was really important.

You conclued the story well, as Faramir, now wiser and at ease, takes the initiative and seeks out his father...'For by the look in his son’s eyes, Denethor knew that he understood. “Let us finish that wine,” Faramir suggested with a smile'

This was an excellent and well written story that looked into the deeper emotions of the steward and his son. Your style and skill at story telling brought the tale alive. I could 'see' Faramir sat in the healer's room. I could 'feel' his hurt at the supposed rebuttal by his father, just as I could 'hear' the sound of the waterfall in Henneth Annun - you weave a very fine tale! Very Happy smiley face

Wed Nov 23, 2005 5:22 am

Haha... looks like the others have taken care of the comments... this is truly wonderful work. I absolutely adore fluff, especially concerning family life! Denethor's softer side is truly likened upon too ^_~

Wed Nov 23, 2005 1:38 pm

hmmm.... it gets harder to write reviews when everyone else has already said what I was thinking .... lovely view of Denethor, balancing his nature, and his roles as ruler and father. Well Done.

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Reviews for "Learning Letters"