Science Fiction Fantasy Chronicles: forums - View Single Post - Difference between Tolkien and the 'modern Fantasy' authors?

Wiglaf · 3rd December 2007, 07:46 AM

I thought Tolkien was a modern writer. Of course, the last fantasy novel that I read was the Saga of the Volsungs from circa AD 1200. (I'll accept 1200AD, but please no CE and BCE; I'll see to it that you get sacked) Compared to many older works, his characters seem much more human. Also, I look at Tolkien's work as if it was ancient myth. Would you critique King Arthur as being silly because randomly grabbing the sword from the stone for Kay was unlikely? Other stories I critique as stories; Tolkien is more like a primordial source.

3rd December 2007, 07:46 AM	#8 (permalink)
Wiglaf Ubique Patriam Reminisci Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: PACIFIC: Posts: 617	Re: Difference between Tolkien and the 'modern Fantasy' authors? I thought Tolkien was a modern writer. Of course, the last fantasy novel that I read was the Saga of the Volsungs from circa AD 1200. (I'll accept 1200AD, but please no CE and BCE; I'll see to it that you get sacked) Compared to many older works, his characters seem much more human. Also, I look at Tolkien's work as if it was ancient myth. Would you critique King Arthur as being silly because randomly grabbing the sword from the stone for Kay was unlikely? Other stories I critique as stories; Tolkien is more like a primordial source.