Epic Pooh
Science Fantasy legend Michael Moorcock wrote this essay on the subject of epic fantasy. He blasts Lewis and Tolkien, while commending some slightly lesser known writers. He makes some valid points, though I think he is a little biased against Christianity, and he clearly dislikes anything hinting at political conservatism. Moorcock has a good ear for writing. This surprised me a little as I've found his own work a little clunky - though still excellent through virtue of an almost peerless imagination. Anyway, if you are interested in this genre, you might get something out of this essay. I'd be interested to hear Karen's take on it...
4 comments:
Thanks for the link to a fascinating article. I don't have the literary skills to evaluate his arguments but I suspect some of his critique reflects his own worldview & prejudices against conservatism.
He mentions lots of authors and books that I read back when I was in high school and uni. I feel inspired to re-read them!
A "little" biased? Decades ago Moorcock wrote a time-travel novel about a guy who went back to Jesus' time, and found him (I write as a Moorcock) a drooling retared. The "hero" took Jesus' place.
I was a Christianity-hater at the time, but even I thought it disgusting and repulsive.
And he's not that great of a writer, either. I tried more than one of his books, couldn't lock onto them.
I'm a bit of a Moorcock fan; his "Dancers at the End of Time" is one of my favourite series.
I read this a while back and it nailed why I couldn't get Tolkien.
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