When you name certain genres of literature, most people will always think of a handful of authors who are synonymous with that genre. Mention 'horror', for instance, and people think of Mary Shelley, Bram Stoker and maybe Stephen King. In the case of classic fantasy novels, the two names that are always mentioned are those of J. R. R. Tolkien and C. S. Lewis.
The defining characteristic of fantasy is that it's about things that don't exist in reality. Witches or wizards turn people into toads, dragons terrorize kingdoms and fairies help or hinder someone's journey through life. Ever since people started telling stories, they made up stories that included elements of the fantastical. Think about the myths of ancient Greece or the tales Scheherazade spun to entertain the king and save her own life during the 'Arabian Nights'.
One author who cited the mythology of Europe as a major influence also came to be probably one of the greatest authors of the genre. J. R. R. Tolkien was born in Bloemfontein, then the capital of a Southern African republic known as the Orange Free State, in 1892. He grew up in England, was wounded in World War I and later became a respected professor of literature and English. He also translated works from Old English, among them tales from Arthurian legend and the epic 'Beowulf'.
At first Tolkien tended to write children's literature. It was with young readers in mind that he created a the world of Middle Earth and wrote 'The Hobbit'. What he never expected was that this story would have so many grown-up fans. When he created a sequel to the book, it was written with older readers in mind. This sequel was an epic known as 'The Lord of the Rings'.
While teaching in Oxford, Tolkien was great friends with another writer, C. S. Lewis. Of Irish extraction, Lewis was born in Belfast but spent much of his school years in England. Like Tolkien, he served in World War I and was wounded. He also became a respected academic, specializing in literature of medieval times and the Renaissance.
Lewis dabbled in different genres, including science fiction. However, he was also fascinated by legends and myths. These, along with Christian themes, inspired his classic series 'The Chronicles of Narnia', in which the main characters enter a magical realm through a wardrobe.
The popular works by Tolkien and Lewis were turned into stunning, award-winning films in the past two decades. People who'd never really liked fiction before were inspired to read the books after they'd seen the movies and before long, fantasy as a genre became wildly popular. Other authors created new works of fiction set in fantastical realms, such as Westeros in George R. R. Martin's 'A Song of Ice and Fire' series and Discworld in the eponymous series by Terry Pratchett.
Before the revival of the genre, these books were often grouped with the sci-fi books or even the children's books. Now you'll find that most bookstores and libraries have dedicated sections just for fantasy books. If you want an even wider choice, order the books online or download them as e-books for a wonderful escape from reality.
The defining characteristic of fantasy is that it's about things that don't exist in reality. Witches or wizards turn people into toads, dragons terrorize kingdoms and fairies help or hinder someone's journey through life. Ever since people started telling stories, they made up stories that included elements of the fantastical. Think about the myths of ancient Greece or the tales Scheherazade spun to entertain the king and save her own life during the 'Arabian Nights'.
One author who cited the mythology of Europe as a major influence also came to be probably one of the greatest authors of the genre. J. R. R. Tolkien was born in Bloemfontein, then the capital of a Southern African republic known as the Orange Free State, in 1892. He grew up in England, was wounded in World War I and later became a respected professor of literature and English. He also translated works from Old English, among them tales from Arthurian legend and the epic 'Beowulf'.
At first Tolkien tended to write children's literature. It was with young readers in mind that he created a the world of Middle Earth and wrote 'The Hobbit'. What he never expected was that this story would have so many grown-up fans. When he created a sequel to the book, it was written with older readers in mind. This sequel was an epic known as 'The Lord of the Rings'.
While teaching in Oxford, Tolkien was great friends with another writer, C. S. Lewis. Of Irish extraction, Lewis was born in Belfast but spent much of his school years in England. Like Tolkien, he served in World War I and was wounded. He also became a respected academic, specializing in literature of medieval times and the Renaissance.
Lewis dabbled in different genres, including science fiction. However, he was also fascinated by legends and myths. These, along with Christian themes, inspired his classic series 'The Chronicles of Narnia', in which the main characters enter a magical realm through a wardrobe.
The popular works by Tolkien and Lewis were turned into stunning, award-winning films in the past two decades. People who'd never really liked fiction before were inspired to read the books after they'd seen the movies and before long, fantasy as a genre became wildly popular. Other authors created new works of fiction set in fantastical realms, such as Westeros in George R. R. Martin's 'A Song of Ice and Fire' series and Discworld in the eponymous series by Terry Pratchett.
Before the revival of the genre, these books were often grouped with the sci-fi books or even the children's books. Now you'll find that most bookstores and libraries have dedicated sections just for fantasy books. If you want an even wider choice, order the books online or download them as e-books for a wonderful escape from reality.
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