Reviewer:Rugi Date:06/01/10
I liked this little addition to the glimpses you've shown of Faramir's professional life and how it relates to his personal life (particularly his father) - the two are so interconnected.
I liked that Boromir has enough insight to sense something of Denethor in Angrim and I also liked Faramir's honest answer that said more than Boromir probably heard. And you did such a nice job of showing the characters and their situation (I felt how tired Faramir was) in such a short piece. Really enjoyable.
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[2] Proof by:Altariel
Reviewer:Dwim Date:04/01/11
You know I'm always up for making matters angstier - what an end for Angrim! And how ambivalent for Faramir, who has had this long, complex relationship with his father's tab-keeper. I love the imagery of Angrim's eyes - the acknowledgment of the darkness that exists between the two of them, and yet despite that, they've reached each other, symbolized in the light of Angrim's eyes, and their frankness - not concealing hurt and probably fear.
Faramir'sa acknowledgment of him, echoing certain familiar, final exchanges involving other people with names that end in "-mir", works well. And it does help, this piece, to pull Denethor and Faramir to mind, to consider the differences and similarities between them, as shown in the quality of a brutal kind of mercy,
(And yes, I have an e-mail from you burning a hole in my inbox! I will get to it - eventually! Hopefully sooner rather than later!)
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[3] Proof by:Altariel
Reviewer:Denise Date:04/18/11
Rereading "Proof" years after my first reading, I can only say: it still carries the same power and force as the first time I read it. I don't think I could ever imagine Faramir's initial time with the Rangers any differently. It all fits so well with his personality, his similarities and differences to his father - blending seamlessly into the man he will become years later. I love the touch of the letters he sends to Denethor and Boromir; Faramir's anguished but determined decision to carry out the penalty himself (while having the wisdom to change his mind); and Mablung's subtle shift from exasperation to respect at the end.
And "How to win friends and influence people" still makes me laugh every time, as does the ostentatious display of bread-counting. So fine!
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[4] Proof by:Altariel
Reviewer:Denise Date:04/18/11
Intent/Suspicion/Mercy: Ah, cold, so cold. It fits perfectly, of course: Denethor's merciless spying on his own son, come full circle to the mercy Faramir gives. And the harsh burden of Faramir suspecting his father's eye on him and still treating Angrim as a regular Ranger - even to covering it up before Boromir, with whom he shares so much. (Of course, they both have their secrets, don't they?)
Perceptive Boromir, too, reminding me of the description of him being far more clever and far-seeing than he usually lets on.
Your writing is spare and beautiful, as always, even when grim. Thank you for this cycle!
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