I'll admit that at first I didn't really get the connection until a few paragraphs in, and then it all made sense.
I love your writing style - even though sometime it's quite disturbing, it sort of pulls you in, so that you just *have* to keep reading. And reading.
So, really, this was just frikking amazing, and thanks for one of the best lotr fics I've read in a while.

Well, actually 'reviewing-lipstick's-stories' has been on top of my to-do list for several months now, but I never got to it somehow. So I might as well start with your newest... for now.

This is, to put it short, damned fascinating. I must confess that I (stupid me) didn't get the connection at first. Somewhere around the first half of the text it dawned on me and I started all over and now I wonder how in all the world I could miss it. This is really damn smart. And I so like your writing style. It's powerful, sometimes bordering on disturbing, but it kind of draws you in and doesn't let you go. I just wish I had ideas like that (uhm, yes, that was 'envious-me' speaking right now, I suppose).

fallingintothelight -Sorry, I don't usuall reply on review boards, but I always want to thank people for reviews and you didn't leave an e-mail address. Thank you so much for your kind words. I'm touched.

Re: The male/male relationships in LOTR, I agree to a certain extent, I find it hard to sexualise Bilbo and Frodo, and left that higly oblique in the story becaus of that. To my mind it never was sexualised or abusive, I can never see it that way, I think that's why the whole scene in Rivendell packs such a punch, it shows what the ring can do.

I don't think Sam and Frodo was sexualised either, personally, no objection to people tase feel free to e-mail with further concrit if you wish.

Even thou as they said it was unusual you are really talented I see the connection a little but your style and wording really pulled me in. Please More!

I re-read your story because I figured there MUST be a connection and because I skimmed it the first time. Now I see it, but it's still pretty far out there. The writing itself is quite good, fascinating actually. I'm just not sure that it would be the type of story I'd actually ENJOY. For instance, I was fascinated by some of the classic books I had to read in high school, but I can't say that I ENJOYED them. Let's just say I'm ambivalent about what you've done to the LOTR characters I found in your story. But at least you know how to garner our attention.

Actually, that was pretty interesting but is it 'Lord of the Rings' fiction? I couldn't find any connection.

So, I can't say I've read much LotR fanfic, but this was... unusual, is that fair? Yeah, unusual.
That's a good thing, by the way.
Nihilistic was a good word.
I liked particularly Gollum, yeah, that was interesting. Somehow secretly jealous.
But the translation - the despair and the parchedness and the emptiness, it was dead on.
I can't say I particularly liked your whole sexual aspect to it. I find the male relationships so simple and pure, the best part of LotR. Nothing can sully them, there's no hidden agendas, no selfishness, at the root of supposed compassion. Don't know why so many people insist on making them like this. Probably because life sucks. Which is a stupid reason for anything.
Still, this piece inspires so much thought, anything like that doesn't really matter.

Oh my Valar. You're amazing. So metaphorical and twisted, but so clear, and you've put your own spin on it. Everything was there, it was all represented perfectly. Just like the book, there's a thread of darkness through it, but you really give a sense of how your hero dealt with it all. The Ring as the thrill and danger of drugs was an inspired thought--and now that I've read this, so obvious I can't believe I never thought of it. Thank you for giving us the chance to read.
lase