tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5723077228948447528.post1225754692972332242..comments2024-03-27T19:07:19.133-04:00Comments on The Silver Key: Of Red Moon and Black Mountain and the anxiety of Tolkien’s influenceBrian Murphyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05563309422791320114noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5723077228948447528.post-11047878026042041452012-05-26T22:19:29.312-04:002012-05-26T22:19:29.312-04:00Thanks Brian, I checked and a local library does a...Thanks Brian, I checked and a local library does actually have that audio book, so I'm going to go pick it up sometime this week.Lagomorph Rexhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06385231158384929598noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5723077228948447528.post-52730804306154522582012-05-25T17:04:57.746-04:002012-05-25T17:04:57.746-04:00Hi Ted, I know where you're coming from. I too...Hi Ted, I know where you're coming from. I too enjoy these kinds of novels from time to time, probably not unlike a reader of certain kinds of mysteries, or a fan of the romance genre, who understands the formula and knows what to expect but enjoys it for that very predictability. I did not dislike Red Moon and Black Mountain, but it's just another example of the incredible influence LOTR had (and still has) on the genre.<br /><br />Lagomorph, I recommend that you track down a copy of the audio book Rings, Swords, and Monsters by Michael Drout. I borrowed a copy from the library. It touches on that very theory, that Tolkien was such an enormous influence that subsequent authors had to either copy him or write in opposition. I think right now we're in an atmosphere of "react against/oppose Tolkien."Brian Murphyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05563309422791320114noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5723077228948447528.post-52388546850572441662012-05-25T10:16:55.840-04:002012-05-25T10:16:55.840-04:00That is a concern. This is something I've been...That is a concern. This is something I've been kicking around for a while, I've begun to notice distinctive trends in Fantasy publishing that show an Imitation-Reaction axis. <br /><br />Basically, you either Imitate Tolkien, or you React against him. You Imitate Robert E. Howard, or you React against him. You Imitate Robert Jordan, or you react against him. Sometimes that means we get Elric.. and sometimes it means we get Sword of Truth.. <br /><br />I've not read this particular book, I bought it because it is part of Lin Carter's "Adult Fantasy" series.. But have yet to get around to reading it.. I understand it has several sequels, though I've never directly encountered any of them at a used book store.Lagomorph Rexhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06385231158384929598noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5723077228948447528.post-1786088260301552702012-05-25T02:11:55.841-04:002012-05-25T02:11:55.841-04:00I appreciate how many people feel the way you do a...I appreciate how many people feel the way you do about works derivative of Tolkien. However, I feel the publishing industry is ignoring the fact that there still exists a large base of fans who crave more stories centered around a Tolkienesque world. Each time they did bother to give us one, whether Sword of Shannara or the Iron Tower trilogy, it sold very well, so why assume now that another such book wouldn't sell well?<br /><br />Also, these mentioned stories weren't just derivative of the type of world that Tolkien did, but stole plot points directly from him. What I crave most are stories that are set in a Tolkienesque world but don't steal his plot points. There a so many wonderful tales that could be told to satisfy the cravings of readers like me, but publishers don't give us these stories. I wrote one myself and all the agents say is 'derivative' and autoreject. Hmm, I thought publishing was a business for making money, not for deciding that because some are tired of something, they won't allow those who still enjoy it to have anyTed Crosshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09022309459554237650noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5723077228948447528.post-70209974982784755552012-05-25T02:10:53.471-04:002012-05-25T02:10:53.471-04:00This comment has been removed by the author.Ted Crosshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09022309459554237650noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5723077228948447528.post-66689903808422031672012-05-25T01:55:56.305-04:002012-05-25T01:55:56.305-04:00I have a copy which I read the first chapter or so...I have a copy which I read the first chapter or so and put it down to pick up something more engaging.<br /><br />I did buy it because of Frazetta's cover-and the promise that this was a "thrilling Sword & Sorcery novel, that raises fantasy to new heights!" snicker.<br /><br />I'm keeping it for the sake of the Frazetta cover.nephite blood spartan hearthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17092519999184585295noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5723077228948447528.post-36630164822091494932012-05-24T22:31:04.442-04:002012-05-24T22:31:04.442-04:00This must have been a briskly selling novel at one...This must have been a briskly selling novel at one time. You can still find copies fairly easily in used bookstores.Periclesnoreply@blogger.com