Tolkien and Asimov

[Eorl of Rohan]

Originally Posted by Aiwendil

But I must say that I've never seen any particular similarity or connection between the works of the two.

There must be something. It seems that I am not the only one who loves those two authors, even those (like me) who ONLY likes these two authors and no one else. I can't quite put my finger on it - but still. Maybe it is the combination of all the comments of similarity between the two.

I'd say that Asimov's interest was primarily in society whereas Tolkien's was in history.

Er, to quote Asimov, "I am not sure I can handle a heavily sociological story."

In a way the Foundation series ARE simplistic - it was written when Asimov was still in college. However, it doesn't mean that they aren't great. I still like the 'Caves of Steel', however. Best book Asimov wrote, in my opinion.

[Aiwendil]

Eorl of Rohan wrote:

Er, to quote Asimov, "I am not sure I can handle a heavily sociological story."

He may have said that, but that doesn't mean it's true. I think he had a real gift for developing interesting and believable futuristic societies, and generating plot through those societies - look at the contrast between Earth and the Spacers. Look at Solaria. Look at Gaia.

Incidentally, here's one similarity that comes to my mind - both Asimov and Tolkien tell stories that stretch over vast time periods, that do not have a single core group of characters but rather encompass many generations. And both effectively tell a very large, somewhat loose, but cohesive story over those time scales.

[drigel]

There must be something. It seems that I am not the only one who loves those two authors, even those (like me) who ONLY likes these two authors and no one else. I can't quite put my finger on it - but still.

There is apparantly something to that - because Im that way too. Lots of stuff out there that is written well, but very few capture those rare elements in a sturdy enough bottle in such a way that transcends whatever milieu that happens to be popular at the time of publication.

And both effectively tell a very large, somewhat loose, but cohesive story over those time scales.

Definately a major factor for me - massive time scales.

[Rumil]

Hi All,

another Downer who also likes Asimov!

A few thoughts occurred to me;

Do the two great writers perhaps represent their respective countries in that Tolkien favours the idyllic countryside of the past while Asimov writes of the energetic city of the future?

Their differences in 'publishing policy' seem quite extreme! Asimov was a notoriously prolific writer and frequently refers in the forwards of his short stories of his satisfaction in publishing in one of the 50s Sci-Fi magazines, and may even be viewed as regarding publications as victories regardless of the quality of the tale (I believe that much of Asimov is excellent, especially the Caves of Steel, but some earlier stories have a clunky, unpolished feel about them). On the contrary, Tolkien has tormented us latter day fans by continually re-working and altering his stories, never finishing the Silmarillion etc, which meant that his published Middle Earth works were masterpieces, but few and far between.

I wonder if some of this may be due to their different academic backgrounds, English, where books are revered (or used to be!), versus Biochemistry, where you have to publish as many scientific papers as possible. Indeed Asimov sent up the whole scientific paper concept in 'The Endochronic Properties of Resublimated Thiotimoline', which will amuse anyone who has the misfortune to consult primary scientific literature on a regular basis,