Chapter 22 of A Secret Gate is up today. Given the length of time it took to get it there, it ought to be a creation of flawless beauty and depth. I’m sad to say it isn’t; it has its moments, though
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I just sent you off my impressions of the latest chapter, but I wanted to comment again here, just on the idea of "movie-verse" elements in canon-based fics.
I don't mind certain things from the films being introduced into canon-based fics as long as they don't *contradict* canon. I've done it myself. Mostly this concerns visual elements, but also there are occasional scenes that *could* have taken place in canon, and yet we are not shown them. For example, Boromir's brief conversation with Frodo about "not carrying the weight of the dead" is something that could have taken place at any time after leaving Moria and prior to entering Lothlorien. Pippin's conversation with Gandalf also falls into that category, as well as certain conversations between Frodo and Sam.
I know there are some purists who object to the Gandalf-Pippin scene on the grounds that Gandalf is "lying" because mortals don't go to Valinor (which he is describing) but to some other unnamed place "beyond the circles of Arda". But as some other people pointed out, there is no reason that mortal souls would *not* pass over/through the West on their way to their final destination! And thus they too would see the "rain curtain" and "the white shores".
At any rate, I thought your own use of the scene in this chapter was very appropriate, and that to reassure his beloved sister, Pippin would take out this treasure of his heart to share with her.
Even in movie-verse, I don't think Gandalf would lie about such a thing when he himself brought it up. And we really have no idea how time and space works beyond the world--perhaps the way out looks the same to everyone!
Answering your e-mail, albeit a little slowly. I am just back from the eye doctor and dilated so everything is a little fuzzy!
I don't mind certain things from the films being introduced into canon-based fics as long as they don't *contradict* canon. I've done it myself. Mostly this concerns visual elements, but also there are occasional scenes that *could* have taken place in canon, and yet we are not shown them. For example, Boromir's brief conversation with Frodo about "not carrying the weight of the dead" is something that could have taken place at any time after leaving Moria and prior to entering Lothlorien. Pippin's conversation with Gandalf also falls into that category, as well as certain conversations between Frodo and Sam.
I know there are some purists who object to the Gandalf-Pippin scene on the grounds that Gandalf is "lying" because mortals don't go to Valinor (which he is describing) but to some other unnamed place "beyond the circles of Arda". But as some other people pointed out, there is no reason that mortal souls would *not* pass over/through the West on their way to their final destination! And thus they too would see the "rain curtain" and "the white shores".
At any rate, I thought your own use of the scene in this chapter was very appropriate, and that to reassure his beloved sister, Pippin would take out this treasure of his heart to share with her.
Reply
Even in movie-verse, I don't think Gandalf would lie about such a thing when he himself brought it up. And we really have no idea how time and space works beyond the world--perhaps the way out looks the same to everyone!
Answering your e-mail, albeit a little slowly. I am just back from the eye doctor and dilated so everything is a little fuzzy!
Reply
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