Other authors?

[Morthoron]

Originally Posted by Child of the 7th Age

I will put in another word for T.H. White and the Once and Future King. Shippey once talked in an interview how Tolkien and White were unique--both the product of a particular education system and world view that had now vanished from the world--so there couldn't possibly be anyone to take their places.

I believe in many cases during The Once and Future King White surpasses Tolkien in the depth of his characterizations. He certainly has the better wit, I should think (the whole dialogue between Pelinore and Grummursum which consists mostly of 'wots' is particularly humorous, or the Hedgehog referring to 'His Majesty' as 'Maggie's Tea' or later just 'Tiggy'). But both offer a profundity and heightened sense of sadness that transcends the bounds of fantasy, and is sorely missing in many of the other works mentioned in this thread.

Certainly, they go about presenting their ideas differently (White's overt anti-war sentiment is offered without apology, whereas Tolkien's Christian ethic is subsumed in his work); however, one can still tell they are cut from the same cloth.

Regarding classic literature (Mallory, et al), I have just finished reading Gargantua and Pantagruel by Rabelais for the first time since college (hence the epithets in my sig line), and I would heartily recommend it for anyone that has no fear of earthy language and a myriad classical allusions. Voltaire's savage satire of Leibnizean philosophy, Candide, although not a fantasy, is surreal enough to warrant mention with these other works.

[littlemanpoet]

Megan Whalen Turner published the third in her series, which is in the Youth section of the library, but is too good to be limited to that audience. The three titles are "The Thief", "The Queen of Attolia", and "King of Attolia". Its template is ancient Greek culture and geography but the story is not historical fiction, rather fantasy that happens to use certain aspects of the real world. Very well written, fun to read, and deep enough to make one think. Highly recommended!

[Lalaith]

It's not just the lipstick stockings and invitations stuff, with Lewis. Look at Eustace's parents, for example. Their great crime seems to be that they have installed progressive views in their son (feminism, republicanism, vegetarianism, lack of corporal punishment etc) and this has made him the whiny, pompous little coward he is at the start of Dawn Treader. I did like the Narnia books as a child, but I didn't like the way that Lewis involves the reader in snide asides about liberal values, rather than just presenting his case and letting the reader make up his/her own mind.
(Although there is a rather amusing Oxonian dig at the Other Place in Dawn Treader - Eustace's ghastly trendy parents live in Cambridge....)

Oh and I second the recommendations for Norrell and Strange....brilliant...and south American magic realism. Marquez and Allende are great. I also recommend - slightly different but wonderful, intellectually rigorous fantasy nonetheless, Jorge Luis Borges.

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

Originally Posted by Lalaith

I also recommend - slightly different but wonderful, intellectually rigorous fantasy nonetheless, Jorge Luis Borges.

Borges... beautiful. I was going to recommend Borges, but you beat me. Also Fuentes, with 'Aura' particularly in mind.

Originally Posted by LMP

I have to wonder about writers who are that good at manipulating the emotions of their readers; of course, it takes the reader's willingness.

I adore writers...

[Lalwendë]

Originally Posted by Morthoron

But both offer a profundity and heightened sense of sadness that transcends the bounds of fantasy, and is sorely missing in many of the other works mentioned in this thread.

I don't know. Pullman had me weeping helplessly like a child several times: the 'severed child' found clutching a pickled fish; what happens to Lyra not long afterwards; what Lyra has to do in order to enter The Land of the Dead; Lee Scoresby and his daemon Hester. I feel weepy just thinking about those scenes now...what I will be like in the cinema if they have these scenes, doesn't bear thinking about.

You just cannot write about people who have 'visible souls' in the form of sentient animals and their fates without stirring up emotions. I felt Pullman had tapped into something deep-rooted by showing how vulnerable life really is. Every death in Lyra's world is tinged with sadness, even the deaths of bad guys.

Not even Tolkien managed to wring such a response out of me - maybe if he had killed off dear Bilbo, but even that wouldn't come close....

And if you want the same kind of thing, wait until you get to the closing chapters of The House Of The Spirits...

[littlemanpoet]

I have to wonder about writers who are that good at manipulating the emotions of their readers; of course, it takes the reader's willingness.

[Lalwendë]

Originally Posted by littlemanpoet

I have to wonder about writers who are that good at manipulating the emotions of their readers; of course, it takes the reader's willingness.

I wonder too. About how they manage to weave that magic I'm always willing to be moved but it rarely happens in fantasy/sci-fi as so many writers are cold-hearted, even though a text book on the laws of the universe can have me there too. And wait til you see the latest series of Doctor Who, non-UK sci-fi fans, as at least one episode will wring you dry!