I recently discovered this terrific and insightful essay by Stephen R. Donaldson (author of the THOMAS CONVENANT TRILOGY):
http://www.stephenrdonaldson.com/EpicFantasy.pdf
Reading Donaldson's essay gives me a new understanding of why Thomas Covenant had to be such a miserable "schmuck." It also makes some brilliant observations about the nature of fantasy itself...
The essay was written in 1986, but it remains as relevant as ever to readers and writers of fantasy. In it, Donaldson talks about what Epic Fantasy is and explores his own big question of WHY his series became a huge best-seller when he never expected any commercial success.
Utterly fascinating…
Peace!
John
This was awesome-I do think he is dead wrong about REH, but still a fascinating essay.
Yes, I too disagree with his assertion that REH was a “bad writer.” But I see his comment in the greater context of what he was trying to say. REH obviously had very different priorities in his writing than Donaldson. And that is perfectly fine. THere is no denying the lyrical skill, sheer imaginative power, and thunderous effect of Howard’s writing. All art is subjective, and one man’s treasure is another man’s trash. I like both writers, and there are certain things about each of them that I like more than others.
Donaldson’s view of “what fantasy is” is fascinating. I never thought of fantasy in those terms until I read this.