Are There Any Valid Criticisms? (aka Kalessin's Rant) - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

***Mister Underhill*** · 04-16-2002, 01:11 PM

Ah! Quite an excellent and succinct articulation of the challenges of writing fiction which takes place in a setting for which a writer must provide context. Although I don’t think I’ve ever read a novel by an Indian author, I often wish when reading Kipling that I had an Appendix or two to flip to to get a bit more context. Kipling provides a good bridge – he has to work to orient the reader vis-á-vis culture, language, and geography, but also assumes much which, a century later and an ocean away, is confusing, if not downright incomprehensible without outside investigation.

I like your idea that Tolkien has created a “Devourer of Archetypes”. This, to me, is a more satisfying explanation than the problem of mere imitation. Perhaps we have also identified an inherent challenge to creating fresh, powerful work in the genre – in sci-fi, advances in science and technology, as well as an openness to new narrative techniques and styles, help feed innovation within the genre, whereas in fantasy, the pool of archetypes and historical/mythological influences remains a static constant and there is less receptivity to new styles and modes of storytelling.

04-16-2002, 01:11 PM	#11
*Mister Underhill* Dread Horseman Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Behind you! Posts: 2,744	Ah! Quite an excellent and succinct articulation of the challenges of writing fiction which takes place in a setting for which a writer must provide context. Although I don’t think I’ve ever read a novel by an Indian author, I often wish when reading Kipling that I had an Appendix or two to flip to to get a bit more context. Kipling provides a good bridge – he has to work to orient the reader vis-á-vis culture, language, and geography, but also assumes much which, a century later and an ocean away, is confusing, if not downright incomprehensible without outside investigation. I like your idea that Tolkien has created a “Devourer of Archetypes”. This, to me, is a more satisfying explanation than the problem of mere imitation. Perhaps we have also identified an inherent challenge to creating fresh, powerful work in the genre – in sci-fi, advances in science and technology, as well as an openness to new narrative techniques and styles, help feed innovation within the genre, whereas in fantasy, the pool of archetypes and historical/mythological influences remains a static constant and there is less receptivity to new styles and modes of storytelling.