J. R. R. Tolkien or C. S. Lewis??

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Grace Bela
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J. R. R. Tolkien or C. S. Lewis??

Post by Grace Bela »

I've always been a fan of both J. R. R. Tolkien and C. S. Lewis. I grew up reading about Narnia and Middle Earth, and love that these two authors had such a great friendship. Both authors express such intelligence and depth in their works. The Hobbit will always be one of my favorite books, and Tolkien develops Middle Earth so beautifully. However, I also love Lewis's more overtly theological works like The Screwtape Letters. Whose books do you prefer of the two? What are some of your favorite ways that they influenced each other in their writing? I honestly can't decide between the two.
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Julie-p
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Post by Julie-p »

Read The Chronicles of Narnia when I was younger and I am currently reading The Lord of The Rings. The world-building in their books is just extraordinary. They really manage to make you feel like you're inside Narnia and Middle Earth. I don't really know why, but I'd say I prefer Tolkien.
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Post by Godomon »

Both. I am not able to decide. Really love both of their works.
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Amy Murdoch Coleman
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Post by Amy Murdoch Coleman »

I just finished reading The Lord of the Rings and I have to say that I have a hard time subscribing to the hype. The world-building is great, but it is so easy to get distracted reading Tolkien. His language is flowery and complex and there's a real lack of action throughout the bulk of every book. Even so, both men are crazily talented. C.S. Lewis had a simpler style, but so much more happened in his stories that I definitely lean his way.
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Post by Catie139 »

I've read more of C. S. Lewis' things. The fact that he has more in non-fiction as well as fantasy makes him my favorite. But I really like J. R. R. Tolkien as well.
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Post by Marty_Kelly »

They're both great authors but I'd lean more towards Tolkien.
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DakotesMahGotes
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Post by DakotesMahGotes »

Tolkien for sure. He did what no one before him had ever done. The world building, the lore, and the history is unmatched in my opinion. Also, to get the full experience, you must read The Silmarillion. The Hobbit and LOTR are essential key moments in an even greater and more expansive story which you miss if you don`t read the Silmarillion.

However, I`d take C.S. Lewis`s Space Trilogy over any other Sci-Fi any day.
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Post by TheGloryoftheCobolds »

Right now, I would have to say I like Tolkien better. I am listening to Lord of the Rings for the third time. When it comes to C.S. Lewis, the Chronicles of Narnia are easier to understand, but the message Lewis is trying to teach is more obvious. I know that Lewis religious beliefs strongly influenced his writings, so I will apologize in advanced for bringing up religion. Take the Lion, Witch and wardrobe, the Christian parallels are quite obvious, with Aslan being Jesus dying to ransom a sinner from Jadis, aka the Devil. When it comes to the Magicians Nephew, there are obvious parallels to the tree of knowledge. In the Horse and his Boy, there is a strong overall theme of providence. When it comes to Prince caspian, there are parallels to a supposedly post Christian society. In Voyage of the dawn treader, there are themes from the crystal sea of Revelation. The Silver Chair has references to Plato's cave. And the last battle has themes of the battle of armageddon and Platonism.

I find with Tolkien, Christian themes are not very obvious, and does not seen to be too preachy. I can understand that there are some obvious themes, like the ring being based on the parable of the Ring of Gyges. When it comes to villains, Orcs, ringwraiths and Gollum, just to name a few I have read are supposed to be a kind of depraved character.
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Post by Courtney Hughes »

I think I love them both. Funny that they were both friends as well. The Screwtape Letters was intriguing and thought provoking. I grew up loving Narnia and read The Hobbit in school. They each have their own style of storytelling in faraway lands that so similarly remind us of our own world.
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Post by Mountainbreeze23 »

I love both and can read the books over and over again. LOTR is magical and the settings are so evocative. He has been able to create a new world. C.S Lewis' books have a religious dimension which, in my opinion, adds to their worth. All the books of 'The Chronicles of Narnia' are not equally good: 'The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe' and 'The Last Battle' are my favorites.
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Post by Susan Gibbs »

It is really difficult to choose between these two authors. I like both Lord of the Rings and the Hobbit and the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. Both are so imaginative and good for escapism. Both translated well into very entertaining and successful movies. Perhaps I should choose Tolkien as I have read the Lord of the Rings (all 3) and The Hobbit several times , but have only read the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe once.
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Post by Claire Twy »

Grace Bela wrote: 15 May 2020, 17:40 I've always been a fan of both J. R. R. Tolkien and C. S. Lewis. I grew up reading about Narnia and Middle Earth, and love that these two authors had such a great friendship. Both authors express such intelligence and depth in their works. The Hobbit will always be one of my favorite books, and Tolkien develops Middle Earth so beautifully. However, I also love Lewis's more overtly theological works like The Screwtape Letters. Whose books do you prefer of the two? What are some of your favorite ways that they influenced each other in their writing? I honestly can't decide between the two.
Both authors are amazing at world-building so it's so difficult to choose! I think with Tolkien, it's easier to get lost because he uses such descriptive, elaborate language but the Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit are such gripping stories if one perseveres through. The tales of the Chronicles of Narnia were easier to follow but purely based on story alone I would go with Tolkien. I love both authors though, their books have become such classics.
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Post by Charlienmegan Wehner »

This one is hard as I love both series but I am a HUGE LOTR and The Hobbit fan so Tolkien wins it for me. Tolkien had such an amazing way with words that everytime I read his books, I find someone new to pause and ponder.
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human reader
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Post by human reader »

Tolkien has a dense writing style. It can be great if that is your jam, but I prefer C.S. Lewis. I also like how Lewis has fauns, centaurs, minotaurs, etc. in his primary story (Narnia).
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Post by kipper_ »

C.S. Lewis. Till We Have Faces has remained one of the most profound novels that I've read in my earlier years. Despite its popularity falling behind the Narnia chronicles, it delivers a very mature and almost sobering perspective on responsibility and the unraveling of myths. So many subjective viewpoints to draw from that one. Tolkien's writing never really stuck with me, although I can respect his influence on literary culture.
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