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Bill Ferny · 12-08-2002, 04:10 PM

Aside from LotR and Harry Potter I have not read any other fantasy save C.S. Lewis and Terry Brooks, and that beckons back to those ancient days when I was a HS student. I have tried to read some fantasy since then, including RA Salvatory (sp?) and Kingdom for Sale series by Terry Brooks, but in the end I had to set them aside because I was simply not interested in them, and dare I say, I thought they were a bit silly. I did like Harry Potter (for reasons largely unknown to me), and it is the only other fantasy, or is it fairy tale?, I’ve read with any interest since LotR. I do occasionally play D&D, but only historical campaigns with a bit of a “fantasy element” thrown in. It resembles more an Arthurian setting than the typical fantasy setting that comes to mind when we discuss the fantasy genre. I find the majority of fantasy art down right ludicrous (and this would include some Tolkien art I’ve seen). I particularly hate horns in helmets and iron braziers. Why would Conan the Barbarian bother to wear any armor at all if he was going to expose his pecs, thighs and biseps, anyway? Perhaps its my machismo coming out, but the thought of a skinny weakling wielding unimaginable magical powers causes a gut wrench reaction.

That being said, I will admit that my devotion to Tolkien and ME is a bit over the top. Perhaps Tolkien has prejudiced my view of other fantasy literature. On another level, I don’t think of Tolkien as typical fantasy literature. I tend to think of it as mythology with a darn good story wove into it. So I would classify myself as someone who doesn’t really like fantasy, but absolutely adores Tolkien. As far as “getting it,” I think there is plenty of fantasy that I just don’t get, and more than likely its my inability to suspend belief, and that, I think, is the crux of the question: fantasy requires the suspension of belief, and some people are just incapable of doing so.

I’ve meant a few people who are really into fantasy, but detest Tolkien. As an extension of the above posted question, does anyone have any insights into this strange phenomena?

[ December 08, 2002: Message edited by: Bill Ferny ]

12-08-2002, 04:10 PM	#2
Bill Ferny Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Bree Posts: 390	Aside from LotR and Harry Potter I have not read any other fantasy save C.S. Lewis and Terry Brooks, and that beckons back to those ancient days when I was a HS student. I have tried to read some fantasy since then, including RA Salvatory (sp?) and Kingdom for Sale series by Terry Brooks, but in the end I had to set them aside because I was simply not interested in them, and dare I say, I thought they were a bit silly. I did like Harry Potter (for reasons largely unknown to me), and it is the only other fantasy, or is it fairy tale?, I’ve read with any interest since LotR. I do occasionally play D&D, but only historical campaigns with a bit of a “fantasy element” thrown in. It resembles more an Arthurian setting than the typical fantasy setting that comes to mind when we discuss the fantasy genre. I find the majority of fantasy art down right ludicrous (and this would include some Tolkien art I’ve seen). I particularly hate horns in helmets and iron braziers. Why would Conan the Barbarian bother to wear any armor at all if he was going to expose his pecs, thighs and biseps, anyway? Perhaps its my machismo coming out, but the thought of a skinny weakling wielding unimaginable magical powers causes a gut wrench reaction. That being said, I will admit that my devotion to Tolkien and ME is a bit over the top. Perhaps Tolkien has prejudiced my view of other fantasy literature. On another level, I don’t think of Tolkien as typical fantasy literature. I tend to think of it as mythology with a darn good story wove into it. So I would classify myself as someone who doesn’t really like fantasy, but absolutely adores Tolkien. As far as “getting it,” I think there is plenty of fantasy that I just don’t get, and more than likely its my inability to suspend belief, and that, I think, is the crux of the question: fantasy requires the suspension of belief, and some people are just incapable of doing so. I’ve meant a few people who are really into fantasy, but detest Tolkien. As an extension of the above posted question, does anyone have any insights into this strange phenomena? [ December 08, 2002: Message edited by: Bill Ferny ] __________________ I prefer Gillaume d’Férny, connoisseur of fine fruit.