One can also point out that Turin is part of the doom that fell on the Noldor for the Kin-Slaying, but in the end, the Valar came to the aid of Middle-earth. There can be tragedies IN a tale that ends happily.
In my short time here on Substack, I came to notice that my own thought on literature in general, and the fantastical in particular, was heavily influenced by two books: Lewis's "An Experiment in Criticism" and, of course, J. R. R. Tolkien's "On Fairy-Stories". I found myself quoting this last one so often that I thought, hey, I should just write about it already.
Then Eric and Clifford came out and wrote it first; and I've never been so happy with being late. They covered "On Fairy-Stories" much better than I could. But I'm glad that I got to contribute a little bit to the discussion.
Really appreciate this final wrap up. I am going to have go back and go through all the comments. So much great discussion and nuance! Thanks for all the great work.
I will focus on a narrow comment you had at the beginning that captured my attention, when you were defining the distance between faery story, fairy tales, and modern fantasy. I think you hit the nail on the head in saying that modern fantasy is sci-fiction with fairy elements, complete with self made heroes, magic systems, and the whole nine yards.
It made me realize why I actually don't read a lot of fantasy and hate to tell people I like fantasy - because I can't find the kind of fantasy I like to read much in the world, because I like reading faery stories, not fantasy, and precious few authors outside of Tolkien write this way that I've found.
And too, the question arose in my mind when you mentioned that Tolkien's works are narrative storytelling, which goes back to your article on narrative distance in that precious few writers write narratively anymore, either!
One can also point out that Turin is part of the doom that fell on the Noldor for the Kin-Slaying, but in the end, the Valar came to the aid of Middle-earth. There can be tragedies IN a tale that ends happily.
In my short time here on Substack, I came to notice that my own thought on literature in general, and the fantastical in particular, was heavily influenced by two books: Lewis's "An Experiment in Criticism" and, of course, J. R. R. Tolkien's "On Fairy-Stories". I found myself quoting this last one so often that I thought, hey, I should just write about it already.
Then Eric and Clifford came out and wrote it first; and I've never been so happy with being late. They covered "On Fairy-Stories" much better than I could. But I'm glad that I got to contribute a little bit to the discussion.
Good job, mellyn.
I’d still love to see what you write about it! Thanks taking part.
Really appreciate this final wrap up. I am going to have go back and go through all the comments. So much great discussion and nuance! Thanks for all the great work.
Thanks for being part of it. :)
I will focus on a narrow comment you had at the beginning that captured my attention, when you were defining the distance between faery story, fairy tales, and modern fantasy. I think you hit the nail on the head in saying that modern fantasy is sci-fiction with fairy elements, complete with self made heroes, magic systems, and the whole nine yards.
It made me realize why I actually don't read a lot of fantasy and hate to tell people I like fantasy - because I can't find the kind of fantasy I like to read much in the world, because I like reading faery stories, not fantasy, and precious few authors outside of Tolkien write this way that I've found.
And too, the question arose in my mind when you mentioned that Tolkien's works are narrative storytelling, which goes back to your article on narrative distance in that precious few writers write narratively anymore, either!