BOOKS-
Discussions of various fantasy-fiction authors:
#2- J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit, and The Lord of the Rings
"Thank you". This would be the first thing I would say to Mr. Tolkien, given the opportunity. John Ronald Reuel Tolkien was the first, and by far the most well-known author to compile a thorough exploration into the realm of fantasy. It was his creativity which helped to give us our modern-day genre of fantasy fiction, complete with elves, dwarves, halflings, trolls, goblins, dragons, wizards, and most of all... MAGIC !!
I would probably bet someone my entire book collection that every one of the mainstream fantasy fiction authors producing novels today was influenced by reading Mr. Tolkien's works. His sense of vision sparked millions of readers' imaginations, and his style has been unparalleled.
The Hobbit is a brilliant introduction into the majestic, fantastic realm of Middle-Earth. Inhabited by all forms of races and creatures, Middle-Earth is portrayed as a vast, wild land on the brink of war. Tolkien, however, chooses not to plunge the reader into the thick of things from page one, but instead offers an idyllic, modest beginning at Bag End, then gradually steps up the pace on you until you become dizzy with the realization of how far the characters have come.
The Lord of the Rings finishes the job which was only hinted at in The Hobbit. One thing I do admire Mr. Tolkien for is his sense of continuation from The Hobbit to The Lord of the Rings, as far as the storyline is concerned. Tolkien also has a keen eye for the reader who has *not* read The Hobbit, by continuing the story in a way that does not require reading the "prequel". While I am certainly far from being a Tolkien "expert", I believe I recall reading that Middle-Earth was created by the author in order to tell a continuing story to his children, as they grew up. Tolkien's notes and maps of the world he created have been expanded and published in many volumes over the years- a project conducted mostly by his son, Christopher.
What I probably like most about Mr. Tolkien's novels are the character interactions. How he manages to give each hobbit, human, elf, dwarf, eagle, dragon, and even some goblins and trolls distinct personalities within a few lines of dialogue is incredible.
J.R.R. Tolkien's novels are
the standard by which all other fantasy fiction is set. Any novelist
who even approaches the level of storytelling ability attained by Mr. Tolkien
will make my Top Ten list in a heartbeat.
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Novels I have read by J.R.R. Tolkien:
The Hobbit
The Lord of the Rings Trilogy:
The Fellowship
of the Ring
The Two
Towers
The Return
of the King
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