tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5642795057392908919.post12992094409928610..comments2023-12-11T11:36:37.489+00:00Comments on Macmillan New Writers: Not Just For Christmas 3 - Contrasting Influencesmattfwcurran.com Web Admin http://www.blogger.com/profile/13651266491906006561noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5642795057392908919.post-30433602467559435782008-12-17T20:20:00.000+00:002008-12-17T20:20:00.000+00:00I'm all for the 'no women in fantasy fiction' type...I'm all for the 'no women in fantasy fiction' type deal. It's more annoying when they're present - for instance, David Eddings has simpering idiot princesses who wind me up, or all-powerful mother-sorceresses who make me want to vomit. <BR/><BR/>Funny how the same influences can lead in different directions, huh?nohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00398443646324855212noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5642795057392908919.post-36749517187561855622008-12-17T19:24:00.000+00:002008-12-17T19:24:00.000+00:00The only way Tolkein writes women is either in pas...The only way Tolkein writes women is either in passing, or as mysterious, unapproachable creatures. Quite Victorian, actually.<BR/><BR/>I'm not sure I'd characterize his writing as a humor-free zone, but his humor tends to be tightly restricted. Hobbits can be funny, and Gollum can be funny, and on occasion Gimli can be funny. I guess the rule here is you can only be funny if you're short?<BR/><BR/>I've always thought this came about because LOTR is an attempt to merge a children's story like the Hobbit--which is good-natured and silly--with the heroic tradition of Beowulf et al (and Teutonic tradition does seem to be on the humor-free side). So you have 'real' little people, but self-serious Beowulfian big people. It's a bit of an oil-and-water problem.David Isaakhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04928598446742324391noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5642795057392908919.post-2500852058402550272008-12-16T19:03:00.000+00:002008-12-16T19:03:00.000+00:00A great post, Tim. I agree with you on Tolkien. I ...A great post, Tim. I agree with you on Tolkien. I worked my way through the trilogy and enjoyed it, but I think you're spot on with your criticism. As writers, perhaps the best we can aspire to is to bring an original element to the table, or as you say, to try to fill gaps where we see them.Brian McGillowayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17569349052013628187noreply@blogger.com