What if the books had been written by someone different? - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Tigerlily Gamgee · 05-11-2003, 08:36 PM

The languages probably wouldn't even exist if the author wasn't a linguist. No ordinary author would be able to come up with stuff such as that. I'm not saying that other authors are ordinary; there are plenty of extraordinary authors out there, but they are great in their own realm of work. I don't think that any other fantasy writer (that I've read) has such a depth of language as Tolkien did.
Say, for example, if TH White wrote it. It would be much more childish sounding and not as desciptive (at least, not in the same visual way). The story just wouldn't seem as true and well rounded. Things would be skimmed over or left out.

But, I don't really think there is a way to answer this question. If Tolkien hadn't created Middle Earth I don't think it would exist at all.

05-11-2003, 08:36 PM	#2
Tigerlily Gamgee Hostess of Spirits Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Meduseld Posts: 1,055	The languages probably wouldn't even exist if the author wasn't a linguist. No ordinary author would be able to come up with stuff such as that. I'm not saying that other authors are ordinary; there are plenty of extraordinary authors out there, but they are great in their own realm of work. I don't think that any other fantasy writer (that I've read) has such a depth of language as Tolkien did. Say, for example, if TH White wrote it. It would be much more childish sounding and not as desciptive (at least, not in the same visual way). The story just wouldn't seem as true and well rounded. Things would be skimmed over or left out. But, I don't really think there is a way to answer this question. If Tolkien hadn't created Middle Earth I don't think it would exist at all. __________________ ~ ExerciseJunky.com (Hobbits fitness of choice!)~ ~Lady of Rohan: An Eowyn Fansite ~ ~The NEW/OLD Barrow Downs Photo Page~