Comparisons with Alan Garner - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Ruthwen · 06-26-2002, 04:40 AM

I know it's the trend to compare Tolkien with JK Rowling, but I see far more similarities between Tolkien and Alan Garner - except, of course, that Alan Garner is not quite as famous. I'm concentrating particularly on The Weirdstone of Brisingamen and The Moon of Gomrath.

Similarities
1. Both were writing their main works in the '50s and '60s.

2. Both draw heavily on mythology.

3. The Weirdstone of Brisingamen has a Dark Lord called Grimnir.

4. Both use dwarves.

5. The lios-alfar and svart-alfar are comparable to the Eldar and the Orcs.

6. Both have an old wizard.

7. Both have an object of power which must be protected at all costs.

8. Both have a golden lady who gives the bearer of this object a valuable gift which repels evil.

9. The final battle (discounting the Scouring of the Shire) takes place on a mountain or hilltop.

10. Both use mines as a place of danger, with a small bridge over a deep chasm.

There are probably lots of other similarities - and differences - that I haven't thought of. Has anyone read these books?

The Silver-shod Muse · 06-26-2002, 12:07 PM

I haven't read Alan Garner, but I have read loads of other fantasy books that are unattractively comparable to Tolkien.

Who published first, Tolkien or Garner?

Aramacil · 06-26-2002, 01:14 PM

I haven't heard of his work, but I guess the similarities are true.

( But he can't be better then Tolkien )
[img]smilies/smile.gif[/img] [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]

06-26-2002, 04:40 AM	#1
Ruthwen Animated Skeleton Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: England Posts: 40	Comparisons with Alan Garner I know it's the trend to compare Tolkien with JK Rowling, but I see far more similarities between Tolkien and Alan Garner - except, of course, that Alan Garner is not quite as famous. I'm concentrating particularly on The Weirdstone of Brisingamen and The Moon of Gomrath. Similarities 1. Both were writing their main works in the '50s and '60s. 2. Both draw heavily on mythology. 3. The Weirdstone of Brisingamen has a Dark Lord called Grimnir. 4. Both use dwarves. 5. The lios-alfar and svart-alfar are comparable to the Eldar and the Orcs. 6. Both have an old wizard. 7. Both have an object of power which must be protected at all costs. 8. Both have a golden lady who gives the bearer of this object a valuable gift which repels evil. 9. The final battle (discounting the Scouring of the Shire) takes place on a mountain or hilltop. 10. Both use mines as a place of danger, with a small bridge over a deep chasm. There are probably lots of other similarities - and differences - that I haven't thought of. Has anyone read these books? __________________ "Her name was Nenlauriel, but they called her Rûthwen, because her anger seemed ever constant and ever flowing from her grey eyes."

06-26-2002, 12:07 PM	#2
The Silver-shod Muse Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: The shoulder of a poet, TX Posts: 388	I haven't read Alan Garner, but I have read loads of other fantasy books that are unattractively comparable to Tolkien. Who published first, Tolkien or Garner? __________________ "'You," he said, "tell her all. What good came to you? Do you rejoice that Maleldil became a man? Tell her of your joys, and of what profit you had when you made Maleldil and death acquainted.'" -Perelandra, by C.S. Lewis

06-26-2002, 01:14 PM	#3
Aramacil Wight Join Date: May 2002 Location: Holland Posts: 131	I haven't heard of his work, but I guess the similarities are true. ( But he can't be better then Tolkien ) [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img] [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img] __________________ "I will take the Ring," he said, "though I do not know the way."