For awhile now, there's been talk about George R.R. Martin being the next Tolkien (or the American Tolkien). But how can you even compare the two? Tolkien started the modern fantasy genre. Martin didn’t really start anything. People say that Martin brought in a new kind of fantasy—realistic and gritty. But Glen Cook started “realistic” and “gritty” fantasy over a decade before A Game of Thrones was published. Sure, Martin has produced deeper characterization and intrigue in his books, but I wouldn’t say that he started anything.
In my
opinion, to compare Martin to Tolkien is not fair to both writers. First off,
Tolkien is an inspiration to nearly all modern fantasy authors, Martin
included. Tolkien has put the “epic” into fantasy, and set the mold. No one
today, if ever, will be able to build the kind of detailed world that he
did—and who has the degree and time to create their own language like Tolkien
did? He spent decades on this stuff. His knowledge and time spent creating his
world is in itself “epic” in scale. Tolkien gave the world a story that people
of all types and ages could enjoy over and over through generations. It is set
in stone as a classic, and recommended reading, even for those who do not read
fantasy. The story of Middle-earth has been a source for academic purposes, and
a tool for the craft of storytelling and world-building. The Hobbit and the
Lord of the Rings is a world-wide literary phenomenon, that will continue to
pass on to my children’s generation, and to their children, and their
children’s children, and so forth.
Martin is a
fantastic writer that has produced a good, gritty, graphic piece of fantasy
fiction. A Song of Ice and Fire is a treat in modern fantasy, and is a
trend-setter, but that’s about it. Like Twilight is to Paranormal Romance, or
like Fifty Shades of Grey is to Erotica, or like Harry Potter is to YA Fantasy;
A Song of Ice and Fire is to modern Epic Fantasy. That’s it. It has just become
popular. Just because A Game of Thrones is hugely successful doesn’t make
Martin out to be some great, groundbreaking writer of our time who will set the
standard for a new genre. There’s no doubt that Martin has and will inspire a
lot of new authors, but every great and popular author does that. It’s nothing
new. A Song of Ice and Fire is not something that can be past along to one’s
children; or is acceptable to many types of people like the Lord of the Rings.
So let
Tolkien be Tolkien, and let Martin be Martin… Let the Lord of the Rings be the
Lord of the Rings, and let A Song of Ice and Fire be A Song of Ice and Fire…
And may I add, let A Song of Ice and Fire be completed some day (two more books
to go, yet no end in sight). It’s not right to compare the two authors. Tolkien
is of a whole other literary time and generation; and Martin has yet to
complete his series, and has grown into huge success for only the past few
years. He is still with us, and has not left a legacy of great, epic literary
accomplishments.
Let’s put
aside the comparisons between these two authors, because it just doesn’t work.
Let’s enjoy the classic, and let’s enjoy the modern—and let’s enjoy the diverse
fantasy genre.
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What a waste of my time reading. You basically said nothing and had no opinion. Worthless.
ReplyDeleteSorry you found the post worthless. I think my opinion was made plain—you cannot compare the two authors; and Tolkien is far greater in magnitude. It’s a waste of time trying to spell out all the details, and there have been forums on this subject for a few years now. Search the web and check them out if you’re looking for more on the subject. You didn’t waste too much time; this is actually one of my shortest posts, and you didn’t have to pay to read it. Cheer up!
DeleteI agree with you. Tolkien was the master, he created a rich legendarium. Martin is a very good writer; his prose and descriptions are great, but I would say he is the "American Tolkien" in one respect, that he is popularizing once more the gritty, realistic fantasy, no not inventing, because like you said, Glen Cook did that years ago. I think that fantasy will have two 'wings'; stories for people who like Tolkien and then stories for people who like Martin.
ReplyDeleteE.J., thanks for your comment. I think your last sentence about the "two wings" of fantasy is spot on. Well said!
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