When people think of classic novels in the horror genre, they often think of 'Frankenstein' or 'Dracula'. These stories, written by Mary Shelley and Bram Stoker respectively, came to influence generations of later writers and filmmakers. A similar thing has happened with J. R. R. Tolkien and C. S. Lewis, whose classic fantasy novels have become the most popular and influential in this genre.
The defining characteristic of fantasy is that it's about things that don't exist in reality. Witches or wizards turn people into toads, dragons terrorize kingdoms and fairies help or hinder someone's journey through life. Ever since people started telling stories, they made up stories that included elements of the fantastical. Think about the myths of ancient Greece or the tales Scheherazade spun to entertain the king and save her own life during the 'Arabian Nights'.
The old myths and legends often influenced later authors. One of these was J. R. R. Tolkien, one of the most influential writers of the genre. Born in Bloemfontein, a city in what was to become South Africa, late in the nineteenth century, Tolkien grew up in England. He served in the British Army and was wounded while fighting in World War I. He became a professor of literature and taught at Oxford. He also edited and translated works from early English legends such as that of Beowulf.
At first Tolkien tended to write children's literature. It was with young readers in mind that he created a the world of Middle Earth and wrote 'The Hobbit'. What he never expected was that this story would have so many grown-up fans. When he created a sequel to the book, it was written with older readers in mind. This sequel was an epic known as 'The Lord of the Rings'.
An author whose life took many similar turns as that of Tolkien was C. S. Lewis. Lewis came from Belfast but also spent large parts of his childhood in England. He was wounded while serving in World War I as well and later also taught literature. In fact, at one stage both authors lived and worked in Oxford and they became firm friends.
Lewis didn't originally make a name for himself as an author of fantasy books. He wrote in a wide variety of genres, including science fiction. However, his most popular body of work is a series about a land that can be accessed through the back of an old wardrobe. 'The Chronicles of Narnia' show that Lewis also loved the old legends and myths but the devoutly religious Lewis also included some decidedly Christian themes in the stories.
It was only in the past fifteen years or so that Hollywood discovered the potential of the beloved works of Tolkien and his friend Lewis. Once the movie versions of the books hit the silver screen, many people went out and bought the books too. Suddenly the genre became incredibly popular and readers also discovered series that could be regarded as modern classics. These include works by Terry Pratchett, J. K. Rowling and current favorite George R. R. Martin.
Before the revival of the genre, these books were often grouped with the sci-fi books or even the children's books. Now you'll find that most bookstores and libraries have dedicated sections just for fantasy books. If you want an even wider choice, order the books online or download them as e-books for a wonderful escape from reality.
The defining characteristic of fantasy is that it's about things that don't exist in reality. Witches or wizards turn people into toads, dragons terrorize kingdoms and fairies help or hinder someone's journey through life. Ever since people started telling stories, they made up stories that included elements of the fantastical. Think about the myths of ancient Greece or the tales Scheherazade spun to entertain the king and save her own life during the 'Arabian Nights'.
The old myths and legends often influenced later authors. One of these was J. R. R. Tolkien, one of the most influential writers of the genre. Born in Bloemfontein, a city in what was to become South Africa, late in the nineteenth century, Tolkien grew up in England. He served in the British Army and was wounded while fighting in World War I. He became a professor of literature and taught at Oxford. He also edited and translated works from early English legends such as that of Beowulf.
At first Tolkien tended to write children's literature. It was with young readers in mind that he created a the world of Middle Earth and wrote 'The Hobbit'. What he never expected was that this story would have so many grown-up fans. When he created a sequel to the book, it was written with older readers in mind. This sequel was an epic known as 'The Lord of the Rings'.
An author whose life took many similar turns as that of Tolkien was C. S. Lewis. Lewis came from Belfast but also spent large parts of his childhood in England. He was wounded while serving in World War I as well and later also taught literature. In fact, at one stage both authors lived and worked in Oxford and they became firm friends.
Lewis didn't originally make a name for himself as an author of fantasy books. He wrote in a wide variety of genres, including science fiction. However, his most popular body of work is a series about a land that can be accessed through the back of an old wardrobe. 'The Chronicles of Narnia' show that Lewis also loved the old legends and myths but the devoutly religious Lewis also included some decidedly Christian themes in the stories.
It was only in the past fifteen years or so that Hollywood discovered the potential of the beloved works of Tolkien and his friend Lewis. Once the movie versions of the books hit the silver screen, many people went out and bought the books too. Suddenly the genre became incredibly popular and readers also discovered series that could be regarded as modern classics. These include works by Terry Pratchett, J. K. Rowling and current favorite George R. R. Martin.
Before the revival of the genre, these books were often grouped with the sci-fi books or even the children's books. Now you'll find that most bookstores and libraries have dedicated sections just for fantasy books. If you want an even wider choice, order the books online or download them as e-books for a wonderful escape from reality.
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