China Mieville Asks a Question concerning Fantasy....
Moderator: I'm Murrin
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taraswizard (unregis)
China Mielville's essay
Some of you here already know me, I come from Ahira's Hangar. I am trying to get my registration here all sorted out between Vain and me.
I read this essay because Danlo reposted in on the Hangar. Your reactions here have been very curious, IMO, and your accusations that Mieville is an elitist, well rof lol. Probably a first for him to be accused of elitism. To clarify there are literary elitist, and some of them even write SF and F, example Margaret Atwood's almost neurotic phobia that Oryx and Crake should not be considered SF. China has AFAIK never rejected anyone labeling his books as SF and F. Some of those literary elitist do not write SF and F, but publically disrespect those that do, example Harold Bloom's reaction and comments concerning Stephen King's award of the National Book award in 2003. And probably all written materials will become literature if it lasts long enough, example Charles Dickens, when he wrote his prose it was considered as little more than propaganda despairing over and publically decrying the very diminished circumstances of the Victorian poor.
Commenting on most of China's remarks. Well, he is correct on many points (boys own adventure, idyllic idolization of a feudal past that probably did not exist, Fantasy has a strong history of non-support for the existing status quo and power structures that needs to be supported not suppressed or ignored (BTW China is a Marxist, if that has any bearing on the discussion)). However, I will contest one point he makes, Tolkien glorifies war, IMO, anyone who knows any history and knows what JRR's own experiences must have been during WWI, can not understand how anyone could think Tolkien could glorify war. IMO, if Tolkien makes any statement about war, it is that no matter how horrible it is there are some issues and circumstances that war is necessary for. And most likely if one asked China is he a fan of Tolkien, he would answer yes.
Well, you're all bored now. Going back to lurking for awhile.
taraswizard
Ahiras hangar
Plan C -pub78.ezboard.com/bplanckittiens
W/T they are forever.
I read this essay because Danlo reposted in on the Hangar. Your reactions here have been very curious, IMO, and your accusations that Mieville is an elitist, well rof lol. Probably a first for him to be accused of elitism. To clarify there are literary elitist, and some of them even write SF and F, example Margaret Atwood's almost neurotic phobia that Oryx and Crake should not be considered SF. China has AFAIK never rejected anyone labeling his books as SF and F. Some of those literary elitist do not write SF and F, but publically disrespect those that do, example Harold Bloom's reaction and comments concerning Stephen King's award of the National Book award in 2003. And probably all written materials will become literature if it lasts long enough, example Charles Dickens, when he wrote his prose it was considered as little more than propaganda despairing over and publically decrying the very diminished circumstances of the Victorian poor.
Commenting on most of China's remarks. Well, he is correct on many points (boys own adventure, idyllic idolization of a feudal past that probably did not exist, Fantasy has a strong history of non-support for the existing status quo and power structures that needs to be supported not suppressed or ignored (BTW China is a Marxist, if that has any bearing on the discussion)). However, I will contest one point he makes, Tolkien glorifies war, IMO, anyone who knows any history and knows what JRR's own experiences must have been during WWI, can not understand how anyone could think Tolkien could glorify war. IMO, if Tolkien makes any statement about war, it is that no matter how horrible it is there are some issues and circumstances that war is necessary for. And most likely if one asked China is he a fan of Tolkien, he would answer yes.
Well, you're all bored now. Going back to lurking for awhile.
taraswizard
Ahiras hangar
Plan C -pub78.ezboard.com/bplanckittiens
W/T they are forever.