Tolkienesque Fantasy

Gerry

Is there any author who writes books which even vaguely resemble tolkiens style? ie they are not just full of sword fights and dialogue. I remember reading the blurb on one of the Wheel of Time books, where it said jordan had mastered tolkiens world. That was the most far fetched thing I have ever read on a blurb. I don't mean a rehash of his books either, just something with a little more imagination than the norm. Thanks in advance.

Shiminay

I've just recommended Feist's Magician to Jimi Spandex in another post. It's a good read and there's loads of books in the series if you fancy reading more.

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All the best,

Dav
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My page of stuff

Pretence

The closest I've come to is Terry Brooks, "Shannara" series.

The initial triology are the best:

The Sword of Shannara
The Elfstones of Shannara
The Wishsong of Shannara

There are more but these are the best

Illkillya

i haven't read any fantasy author whos style is really similar to tolkien. there are loads of others who do good books and stuff, but the style is completely different. His stuff is like a history book, like older books, and he spent most of his life writing his books. That is what makes them different from the others. The sword of shannara is trying to be tolkien - i think it was terry brooks' first book, and he has toned down since then, but its like he was attempting to write another LOTR. the style i would have to say is completely different. there are loads of ones that are not just full of sword fights and dialogue, but they're still not like tolkien's style - like Steven R Donaldson.

Tolkien's style exaggerated is in the Silmarilion, and i haven't read any book like it. I don't think there is/will be any book like it either.

the only fantasy author whos style comes close to tolkiens imo is Feists - because it is like he is actually telling the story as it happened. he doesn't make it seem as much like a history book as tolkien does. That is why some ppl think feist is boring.

WhiteWashMan

wheel of time series

SheroN

Aye Shannara like pretence says....

Manach

How about trying fantasy with a slight twist.
There are works by Charles deLint which effectly merge present day with ancient myth or by James Blaylock which are weird and whimisical.

Lucutus

Stephen Donaldson authored "The Chronicles of Thomas Covenent, The Unbeleiver"

These six books are the most incredible fantasy books I've read since Tolkien, the author manages to create a land more mystical, magical and most importantly beleiveable than Tolkien himself, and has, by many critics been placed above Tolkien in many aspects of literary writing.

Everyone who ever even remotely enjoyed 'Da Rings', HAS to read Donaldson's Chronicles.

also, if your that bit older now (which I'm sure all of us are!), The Chronicles are more realistic and true to form/life. In other words, they're not kids books.

Check them out, you'll thank me

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Lucutus of Borg

Illkillya

ya - they're like Gullivers travels in the way they're so much more than regular fantasy. Like, its all psychological stuff, with his leprosy and things, all parallels and symbolism and stuff. still good though, the first 3 were anyway - the second 3 were good, but very miserible...

Shinji

Odder than Tolkien, with their own distinctive yet comparable style, are Brian Aldiss' Helliconia trilogy; Helliconia Spring, Helliconia Summer, Helliconia Winter. Really top notch stuff, each book is set a couple of centuries after the previous one, and working out the links and so on is half the fun of reading them. No pixies or elves mind; it's as much Science Fiction as it is Fantasy, although don't worry, no spaceships or lightsabers either... Er, you'll see what I mean when you read 'em

Ja,
Rob

LoLth

yeah, the Helliconia series was excellent. Took a bit of getting used to after fantasy books, but well worth it.

tobi

no

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I warned you! But did you listen to me? Oh no, you knew it all, didn't you? Oh, its just a harmless little bunny, isn't it?

Manach

Helliconia = miserable & trugid.

cillian_burger_queen

personally i think the gormenghast trilogy is sort of similar-ish to LOTR, in style if nothing else. It's enjoyable anyway, and not as heavy

Excelsior

i can get the 4 lotr books on amazon for $22. is that about the best deal available would you reckon?

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http://www.challenge-ie.com/columns/excelsior

WhiteWashMan

Originally posted by Lucutus:
Stephen Donaldson authored "The Chronicles of Thomas Covenent, The Unbeleiver"

These six books are the most incredible fantasy books I've read since Tolkien, the author manages to create a land more mystical, magical and most importantly beleiveable than Tolkien himself, and has, by many critics been placed above Tolkien in many aspects of literary writing.

Everyone who ever even remotely enjoyed 'Da Rings', HAS to read Donaldson's Chronicles.

also, if your that bit older now (which I'm sure all of us are!), The Chronicles are more realistic and true to form/life. In other words, they're not kids books.

Check them out, you'll thank me

and you want to spend the entire series hating the main character and getting bored ffa you head by his inability to act.
actaully, its abit like hamlet in fairy land
mind you, i am on the last book of the gap series by donaldson. id forgotten ow damn good it is.