Who if anyone can rival the works of J R R Tolkien?

Question

Personally I think Raymond E Feist is writing some truly amazing Novels, anybody recommend anyone else?

Answer 1

Tolkien greatly influenced a whole genre of books so comparing him to other writers would be like comparing Abe Lincoln to current presidents --- there would be bad sides and good sides, but it doesn't matter because he'd still be a legend.

He does get long-winded, but its only because he wrote in a time when sentences weren't mitigated by the need to speak quickly. There was still a general appreciation of how you say things, rather than how fast you say what you mean. But he did study his sources and managed to create a whole mythology based on it. All the rest merely followed.

Others who are comparable to (but not surpassing) his myth-making prowess and worldbuilding genius are: Ursula Le Guin who wrote the Earthsea series (unfortunately the mini-series they made in Hallmark was utter crap, don't rely on it, read the books!), Terry Pratchett of the Discworld Series, and Neil Gaiman of Sandman fame.

Try them ... :p

Answer 2

I really don't think anyone can rival Tolkien, though there are a couple who are close. C.S. Lewis, close friend of Tolkien's, wrote the Chronicles of Narnia, which are a fantastic read. Not as martial and military as some of Tolkien's, but still fun. The newcomer (relative) is George R.R. Martin. His current series, A Game of Thrones: A Song of Ice and Fire is as good as any fiction/fantasy that I've read with the exception of Tolkien. It's less fantasy/magic oriented, though there is some, and more based on human foibles, much along the lines of The Wars of the Roses. A truly recommended read.

Answer 3

Try Steven Erikson.
His series 'The Malazan Empire' is amazing when it comes to indepth story-telling. One of the best things about his books is that, though you've got conflicts between these differents people, you sympathise with all sides. Noone is 'pure evil' or 'pure good'. Come to think of it, there just is no 'good' or 'bad' side. It's not your ordinary 'boy is special and goes and saves the world with his magic this-or-that'-fantasy, but the story of an empire, and how the lives of so many different people are influenced by it.
It made me laugh out loud while the tears were streaming over my cheeks. Very confusing. But god, do I love those books!

As far as I'm concerned, he's better than Tolkien.

Answer 4

Sorry, Craig. I'm a writer myself & I believe no one can truly rival the works of JRR Tolkien. He knew his Anglo-Saxon, Finnish, Welsh & Arthurian material so well that he drew upon them to create "a new mythology for England". His characters were wonderfully and individually endowed with distinct & unique personalities. He was so thorough with his details that he even made sure that the moon was in the correct position in the sky when seen by another character!
Okay, if you must insist, I could recommend Marion Zimmer Bradley, but personally, I still think Tolkien simply eclipses everybody else. Who else has created "a new mythology for England"?
(Sigh). I sure wish I could write like him!

Answer 5

Frank Herbert, George Lucas

Answer 6

Stephen Donaldson

xxR

Answer 7

Erik Van is pretty much right about Lewis. I like one of the other "Inklings", Charles Williams even better. Dune was and is great except for the movies and the succeeding novels. I don't think F.H. wrote them.

Answer 8

A few of my favorites :

"The Chronicles of Narnia", (a series of seven fantasy novels for children), C. S. Lewis

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Narnia

"His Dark Materials", (trilogy of fantasy novels), Philip Pullman

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/His_Dark_Materials

"The Baroque Cycle", trilogy, Neal Stephenson

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baroque_Cycle

"Dune", six-book series of science fantasy novels, Frank Herbert

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dune_%28novel%29

Answer 9

Robert Jordan.

Answer 10

Iain M Banks can certainly rival him for creative ability