Every literary genre has the names of at least one or two authors indelibly linked to it. These authors not only went on to inspire those who came after them but they also knew how to tell a good story themselves. Nobody can say for instance that they truly love the horror genre if they haven't yet read Mary Shelley's groundbreaking 'Frankenstein', for instance. Among the most popular and influential classic fantasy novels of all time are the books of two authors who were actually great friends as well.
The genre of fantasy is characterized by themes that include the fantastical, magical and supernatural. In these stories, animals or trees may be able to talk as if they were human. There can be witches or wizards, both good and evil. Often there are fairies and elves or other legendary and mythical creatures. In fact, legends and myths can often be called early versions of stories in this genre.
One author who cited the mythology of Europe as a major influence also came to be probably one of the greatest authors of the genre. J. R. R. Tolkien was born in Bloemfontein, then the capital of a Southern African republic known as the Orange Free State, in 1892. He grew up in England, was wounded in World War I and later became a respected professor of literature and English. He also translated works from Old English, among them tales from Arthurian legend and the epic 'Beowulf'.
However, it's for his writing that Tolkien is mostly remembered. His children's book 'The Hobbit', set in a mythical world of fairies, dragons and wizards and called Middle Earth, was a runaway success. To Tolkien's surprise, the story was very popular with adults too, so he wrote the sequel that would become one of the most popular epic novels of all time, 'The Lord of the Rings'.
The other author indelibly linked to the genre is C. S. Lewis, who was born in Belfast. Lewis spent much of his youth in English boarding schools and later lived and worked in England. He was wounded in World War I as well and also taught literature at various universities, including Oxford. It's probably no surprise then that he and Tolkien were good 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.
Both Tolkien's and Lewis' most well-known works were made into Hollywood blockbusters in recent years. These movies won the authors many new fans and the fantasy genre saw a huge revival. Today's modern classics include series by J. K. Rowling, George R. R. Martin and two writers who are also friends, Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman.
The great thing about fantasy hitting the mainstream is that the books are now so much easier to find. The bookstore in your neighborhood or even the library is likely to have an entire section dedicated to the genre. Even easier is to order the books online.
The genre of fantasy is characterized by themes that include the fantastical, magical and supernatural. In these stories, animals or trees may be able to talk as if they were human. There can be witches or wizards, both good and evil. Often there are fairies and elves or other legendary and mythical creatures. In fact, legends and myths can often be called early versions of stories in this genre.
One author who cited the mythology of Europe as a major influence also came to be probably one of the greatest authors of the genre. J. R. R. Tolkien was born in Bloemfontein, then the capital of a Southern African republic known as the Orange Free State, in 1892. He grew up in England, was wounded in World War I and later became a respected professor of literature and English. He also translated works from Old English, among them tales from Arthurian legend and the epic 'Beowulf'.
However, it's for his writing that Tolkien is mostly remembered. His children's book 'The Hobbit', set in a mythical world of fairies, dragons and wizards and called Middle Earth, was a runaway success. To Tolkien's surprise, the story was very popular with adults too, so he wrote the sequel that would become one of the most popular epic novels of all time, 'The Lord of the Rings'.
The other author indelibly linked to the genre is C. S. Lewis, who was born in Belfast. Lewis spent much of his youth in English boarding schools and later lived and worked in England. He was wounded in World War I as well and also taught literature at various universities, including Oxford. It's probably no surprise then that he and Tolkien were good 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.
Both Tolkien's and Lewis' most well-known works were made into Hollywood blockbusters in recent years. These movies won the authors many new fans and the fantasy genre saw a huge revival. Today's modern classics include series by J. K. Rowling, George R. R. Martin and two writers who are also friends, Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman.
The great thing about fantasy hitting the mainstream is that the books are now so much easier to find. The bookstore in your neighborhood or even the library is likely to have an entire section dedicated to the genre. Even easier is to order the books online.
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Read more about The Most Beloved Classic Fantasy Novels And The People Who Wrote Them.
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