The Guardian book blog posted a piece earlier today arguing that fantasy cannot build its imaginary worlds in short fiction. The crux of the argument is that fantasy authors need not just novels, but mega-novels (single stories split into multiple volumes, like The Lord of the Rings or A Song of Ice and Fire) to build out their ideas. Rather than simply acknowledging that … [Read more…]
So in an hour or so, I’ll be off to Baltimore for Mythmoot III: Ever on…, the third installment of the (nearly) annual academic/fan gathering for the Mythgard Institute. As with last year, I will be presenting a paper. This year, my subject is Ursula K. Le Guin’s The Left Hand of Darkness, specifically about her descriptions of … [Read more…]
“Over There” was published in the January 2013 issue of Asmov’s Science Fiction. When a trio of scientists attempt to simultaneously observe collapses of a wave form, reality gets split in two. Everyone, not just the scientists, begin to experience a dual existence, in which their selves in each reality acts independently while simultaneously being … [Read more…]
Published at Tor.com on 2/20/13. In the near future, when you tell a lie, you will be hit with cold water, either a torrential dousing or a cool misting, depending on the intensity of the lie. That’s the world Matt lives in when he decides to tell his traditional Chinese parents that he is engaged … [Read more…]
I’ve read quite a few parts of this previously, either due to individual curiosity about specific topics (such as the Quest of Erebor, Istari, Palantiri) or as part of other works (Narn i Hin Hurin – most of which is incorporated in The Children of Hurin), but I had not until now sat down and … [Read more…]
Today is Tolkien’s birthday — his “twelfty-first,” as some have pointed out, in reference to Bilbo’s “eleventy-first” birthday celebration at the beginning of The Fellowship of the Ring — and all across the world, folks are lifting a pint (or whatever amount) of ale (or whatever drink) in remembrance of one of the greatest author’s of the twentieth … [Read more…]
I wrote this back when my Mythgard class was talking about C. S. Lewis’ The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. Not sure how good it is, but hey, you can let me know. Lucy Pevensie @LucyPev goin to the country #bombssuck Lucy Pevensie @LucyPev check out this wardrobe I found: pinterest.com/pin/47147127318515647/ #old #furniture Lucy Pevensie … [Read more…]
So, I’m a little late to reading Lev Grossman’s The Magicians, considering the sequel is out now. But then, I didn’t even hear about it until last September when I sawa brief mention at The Volokh Conspiracy, and have only just had the chance to get to it. Anyway, I liked it a lot. The … [Read more…]
The Mythgard Institute just posted a list of books in theirbookstore for their Tolkien and Lewis course next semester. Seeing this, it occurred to me that I haven’t followed up on my impressions of Mythgard’s inaugural offering on Tolkien and the Epic. The course has been quite excellent, to say the least. I honestly did … [Read more…]