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/lit/ - Literature

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3268331 No.3268331 [Reply] [Original]

I know basically all of /lit/ hates fantasy, but does anyone here like or at least respect this book (The Silmarillion by Tolkien). So many cool uses of his linguistic knowledge, mythic themes, and really just the fact he wrote such a long, detailed history of an imaginary history impresses me. Then again I am a pleb.

>> No.3268339

I loved Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit but this bored the hell out of me.
It's an impressive achievement no doubt, but I just don't think it's sufficiently interesting or entertaining.

>> No.3268336

Not concerned with edgy introspection, atheism or nihilism so of course it's frowned upon here

>> No.3268340

Tolkien was a top-tier scholar of Anglo-Saxon mythology who created an incredibly detailed fantasy world. I think people who don't like him argue that his storytelling/prose are lacking, not his world-creation.

>> No.3268357

>>3268340
This. There is no doubt his work was impressive, but that doesn't mean it's anything especially worth reading.

>> No.3268396

>>3268340
His prose is good. Being an Old English scholar he was particularily attuned to alliteration.

I think >>3268336 has it.
People who dislike Tolkien dislike the program, not his abilities to perform it.

>> No.3268398

My favorite Tolkien book, especially the part about the ancient elven history.

>> No.3268399

Ungoliant belched black vapours

>> No.3268412
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3268412

>mfw I tried to read that in middle school

>> No.3268521
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3268521

>>3268398
Sarcastic?
If you're actually serious and mean the parts in the Undying Lands and shit then high five

>> No.3269313

A metric fuckton of lore and history to basically advertise an intricate language you made up (inb4 shitstorm). That said, I'd suck his dick if given the chance.

>> No.3269314

I'm currently reading it, and I'm impressed with his vast imagery. People complain how it reads like something from 1000 years ago, but that was the design, it's supposed to read like a collection of old legends or like the bible.

>> No.3269317

>>3269314
I personally know people who'd punch you straight in the jaw for that last sentence. Then again, I agree to some extent.

>> No.3269320

>>3269317
For what? About it sounding like the bible?

>> No.3269323

>>3269320
people with strong belief cultivated by peer and societal pressure/expectations would not take kindly to have their instrument of hope and guidance leveled on the same grounds with fantasy, regardless how similar it might be.

>> No.3269325

>>3269320
Yes. Any comparison to any religious works. I've tested that myself, ouch.

>> No.3269329

>>3269323
>>3269325
Wow, where are you guys from? I've discussed this among peers, and told them about the parallelisms and similar structures of The Silmarillion to most old books or the bible. They're all Christians by the way.

Can your friends not discuss literature as literature without having to be very touchy on the subject? What's stranger is the Tolkien was widely known as a faithful Christian himself.

>> No.3269333

His best work. full of of badass stories and characters. i really dug turins story, the children of hurin. it ends so.. bleak.

I found i enjoyed reading lotr more the second time after i read the sill. you actually get the references and see how the world has lost most of its splendor.

I just finished reafing the book of lost tales pt1. Interesting how his mythology evolved. The whole thing at first revolved around this anglosaxon sailor who finds the lands of the elves and they narrate him the story.

>> No.3269334

>>3269329
Well, some are just bible belt hicks who I am friends with because of other reasons than their literary interests (inb4 GASP that's possible?). And one other friend takes offense in the bible being compared to the bible (not vice versa) because he is awful hipster scum. I heartily hue'd at both, for different reasons obviously.

>> No.3269337

>>3269334
>in the bible being compared to the bible

GOD FUCKING DAMNIT. I need to cut back in the meds. I wanted to say the bible compared to the Silmarillion, ffs.

>> No.3269342

>>3269329
>Can your friends not discuss literature as literature without having to be very touchy on the subject?
You'd be surprised how much you can and can't discuss with them. Yes, there's rules and guidelines you have to abide by.

>> No.3269343

>>3269334
>bible being compared to The Silmarillion

Ah, now that's just stupid and most probably he was asking for it.

>> No.3269346

>>3269342
Mormons are worse.

>> No.3269347

>>3269342
I guess I'm lucky I fell in with the right crowd. But that's a given I think, I never make friends with people who don't read for fun.

>> No.3269349

>>3269323

Well, that's good for them, I guess. A man ought to be able to stand up for what he believes in.

But (this is my first post) what I believe in is civil discussion and not being a self-centred fuckwit who thinks he owns the discourse.

Consequently, if I think something sounds like the Bible, and I say as much (equating two great works of mythological literature) to a 'friend, and he hits me?

I'd rather not fight, but he'd better be ready for the retaliation. He's got no more right to hit me than I have to offend him, and manliness is about honour as much as it is about restraint.

>> No.3269351

>>3269349
The problem is that it is almost fanatical. It's not the fact that I've made a bad joke, or said something inappropriate, it's the fact that these people, literally, have no sense of humor, or ability to take a step sideways and perceive themselves from another angle. Their belief has made them narrow and close minded to everything around them, to the point that any 'intrusion' seems like a mockery. This isn't empowering strength through belief - it's zealotry.

>> No.3269353

>>3269351
That sounds something like the staunch followers of Pynchon.
please don't murder me

>> No.3269355

>>3269353
Make sure you've had a very, very memorable meal today.

we're coming

>> No.3269373

>>3269353
I can see why one would think that, yes.
you're fucked, man

>> No.3269403

>>3269373
>>3269355
>>3269353
I wish I knew what the fuck you two were on about

I really need to read some Pynchon...

>> No.3269417

>>3269403
Don't. It's sort of a downward spiral, albeit pleasant to do.

>> No.3269419
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3269419

>>3268412
>mfw I read and enjoyed this in the 7th grade


I actually just re-read it for the first time not too long ago. It's dry, I guess, but there are passages that are startlingly beautiful. Tolkien is the nigga'.