Posted: August 09, 1999 at 05:21:13: by Goodgulf
: : Here's a critique of Tolkien's work from the supposed viewpoint of one who has just discovered our favorite author. I think it's hilarious. And it IS a joke, so don't get in a lather over it. It's reminiscent of the woman who had never read Shakespeare and finally got to see several of his more popular palys. Afterward she was asked how she liked Shakespeare now that she had finally seen some of his work. She replied, "He's all right I guess, but very cliche.": On a similar note, there is a book called "Guide to Fantasy" (I think) I can get the entire title from a friend, it takes up all the cliches of fantasy books (and, coincidentally, roleplaying) Tolkien is actually covered by a surprising lot of them (being the "godfather" of fantasy with numerous bad clones). Anglo-Saxon Cossacks, is just one example (there is then a description of these). Anyway, it is an amusing book that can provide enlightenment and fun.
: ;-) Palle Although I titled this post LOTR Spoof Critique, it's really a spoof on the RPG's which have been spawned since the popularisation of LOTR, and the subsequent divergence of said games into a totally separate sphere. To my mind there is very little relationship between say D&D and LOTR, at least not anymore. At any rate, I thought it was funny, and I too chuckled over the Blade of Bannara line. This may (or perhaps not) surprise you all, but evidently some who read this actually fell for it and even tried to do searches on the Net to find the various authors that were mentioned. How anyone could miss The Blade of Bannara as a joke is beyond me. I am trying to imagine some one sitting around agreeing with the author of this satire and thinking, 'Yup, that's right - all these books must have voluptious Elf Maidens. It the rule!'
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