Quote:
Originally Posted by Pajamaman
I had a glimpse at the start of the The Iron Tower. I like Tolkien. I've read the main works and some of the other stuff cobbled together by his son.
This is why I like Tolkien, and perhaps even more so, The Night Land: These two works have voice. Both authors have a unique voice when they write. Something about their prose is unique. It is recognizable to them. It is the same way that we immediately recognize Jagger's voice. And this voice elevates the story in same way Jagger's voice elevates what are often quite run-of-the-mill songs.
This is also explains why it is impossible to write a dumbed-down version of Hodgson. For the same reason "modern" versions of Shakespeare are like cigarettes with the nicotine removed.
In contrast, from my brief glimpse of the Iron Tower, the voice does not stand out. I find this the case in many modern works, and am turned off by them. To further argue the point--look at Arthur C Clarke, Asimov, etc. They had voice, especially Clarke. All his great prose dripped with eons and tragedy and striving. It was gigantic in tone, like Hodgson's greatest work. And King to the illustration. He has remarkable voice. Read the Long Walk. And Chandler. And Fitzgerald. The list goes on.
So yeah, that's why I like Tolkien and not the Iron Tower. The latter comes across as a generic rip off not only because it is a weak imitation in terms of story, but because it has no distinct voice.
|
Well yes, it's true that great authors have a unique voice. But most authors don't and it's not necessary for me personally to enjoy a book, if the story and characters are well done. Moreover, if I happen not to like the author's voice, then it will be impossible for me to like their books, no matter how good they are. That's the case with Stephen King, for example. It's also the reason I don't read classics anymore. More often than not I don't like the "voice". So the author's "voice" can be a curse or a blessing.
But I agree, the voice thing makes it pretty much impossible to write a good abridged version of LoTR.