The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum - View Single Post

Kalimac · 04-09-2002, 09:10 PM

Lomelinde - to be totally fair, it wasn't like Tolkien invented Elves or Dwarves or epic quests to destroy evil either. But he used the themes to such effect and got such wonderful stories out of them that I think some modern sci-fi authors (and I'll admit I haven't read too much of them) can't really compete with Tolkien's imagination or think outside "the box" that he made with LOTR. The Quest to Destroy Evil has a lot of variations out there in literary history, but the one they're stuck on is Tolkien's, so of course they come off sounding like weak imitations of him, which they are.

04-09-2002, 09:10 PM	#12
Kalimac Candle of the Marshes Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Flyover Country Posts: 780	Lomelinde - to be totally fair, it wasn't like Tolkien invented Elves or Dwarves or epic quests to destroy evil either. But he used the themes to such effect and got such wonderful stories out of them that I think some modern sci-fi authors (and I'll admit I haven't read too much of them) can't really compete with Tolkien's imagination or think outside "the box" that he made with LOTR. The Quest to Destroy Evil has a lot of variations out there in literary history, but the one they're stuck on is Tolkien's, so of course they come off sounding like weak imitations of him, which they are. __________________ Father, dear Father, if you see fit, We'll send my love to college for one year yet Tie blue ribbons all about his head, To let the ladies know that he's married.