Manly Fantasy vs. Effete Fantasy

[Ozymandias]

Although a poet (W.H. Auden) admired The Lord of the Rings I think Tolkien's poetry is mediocre. I think the whole trilogy suffers from an excess of ethereality. This is probably what the critic Edmund Wilson meant when he said the war's are bloodless, etc. I think Lewis's Narnia books are more substantive, have more grain and texture in the realization of this world then does Middle Earth. I think this holds true for Covenant as well (in a differant way) the battles therein are certainly bloody. When one of the Ramen is disemboweled by the wolves one has empathy for the character. Dare I say that Edgar Rice Burroughs or Robert E. Howard were better at imaginative vividness then Tolkien? Of course it's posssible to over do it, ala the absurdities of John Norman.

[Fist and Faith]

First off, you should check out The Library, down at the bottom of the main page. I imagine this topic will be moved to there by a moderator.

Second, Rorschach's gonna kick your butt!!!!!

Third, welcome to the Watch. Welcome and true!

[CovenantJr]

Blood and viscera don't necessarily make good fantasy. In fact, I'd say the ethereal can be very compelling when done well.

But I am amused by the suggestion that LOTR is "effete". I have a mental image of all the characters mincing.

[bossk]

I certainly have room in my heart for both. For true down n' dirty nothing yet beats George RR Martin, though.

[Warmark]

I agree ASoIaF can get very brutal at points.

[Nav]

But I am amused by the suggestion that LOTR is "effete". I have a mental image of all the characters mincing.

Try reading the Very Secret Diaries of the LotR characters if you want to reinforce that image.

Day One:

Went to Council of Elrond. Was prettiest person there. Agreed to follow some tiny little man to Mordor to throw ring into volcano. Very important mission: gold ring so tacky.

[variol son]

Ah, thanks all the gods for parody.

[Warmark]

Those diaries are great!

[variol son]

Sam will kill him if he tries anything.

[Warmark]

Some TC ones would be very good, we should attempt to make some.