A fascinating meta-commentary on Lord of the Rings

[alexxkay]

Seen on the SFBC blog, a very short story placed somewhere between _The Lord of the Rings_ and "The Ones Who Walk Away From Omelas":

Go read it. If you are minded to, afterwards, you might want to read the author's commentary.

Comments

[corwyn-ap.livejournal.com]

Didn't do much for me. Frodo did not fail by any reasonable measure outside of our, only-the-very-top-matters culture. Nor do I consider 'going to the west' a reward, rather it was the best solace any of them could think of for an ailing friend. Nor did the choice he makes in the short seem like much of an improvement, from whatever perspective. None of the characters bore much resemblance to Tolkien's characters.

N.B. Not familiar with the latter story.

[tamarinne.livejournal.com]

If you google the title, the entire story can be found on line.

[baron-steffan.livejournal.com]

It's a fascinating take. I've always found it easier to just write off the lands Over Sea as "well, y'know, it's Heaven" and not think about the implications too hard, but yes, why would Frodo want to spend eternity there, with no chance of ever seeing his mortal friends again, and being one of only two of his race there? It isn't Heaven, that's the whole point.

And thanks for getting me to read "The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas": I never had. That's a piece that stays with you.