In lieu of a post from me (still working flat out), I thought I’d repost this great piece by Sue Vincent.
Painting: Sue Vincent
It has to be said that Tolkien causes problems. Quite apart from being so addictive that, once read, you are likely to go back and read the books again, you may never find anywhere quite as rich as Middle Earth within the pages of another book.
Anyone whose introduction to fantasy is via The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings, will have a fabulously detailed, multi-layered and multicultural world permanently established in their imagination. Especially if you go on to read The Silmarillion too and become aware of the rich complexity and authenticity of the languages, histories and mythologies he created as the backdrop for his world. Tolkien’s elves, orcs and wizards will quickly become the standard by which all others are judged. The sheer scope of the story means that just about every possible trope is used, and every mythical or magical species is covered…
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Thank you for sharing, Deborah 🙂
My pleasure, your piece echoed many of my thoughts on the matter, so I thought I’d share 😀
Those sound like wonderful problems. I’ve been researching Second Life for an upcoming book.People do get addicted to this fantasy world, or any fantasy world that takes them out of their own. Excellent post.
It is a great post, isn’t it? Sue echoed so many of my thoughts on the subject I thought I might as well steal – er, repost – her piece instead of writing my own 😉
Fab share of Sue’s Deb. 🙂