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This book was praised highly by Tolkien but from my glancing it is a tough read



Eruonen
Half-elven


Jul 30 2012, 2:49pm


Views: 683
This book was praised highly by Tolkien but from my glancing it is a tough read
THE WORM OUROBOROS
by E. R. Eddison
[1922]

http://www.sacred-texts.com/ring/two/index.htm

"..Before diving in, there are a few things to be aware of. The rich language Eddison uses is based on Tudor and Jacobean English, with some modern anachronisms; it may take some getting used to, and occasionally a trip to the unabridged Oxford English Dictionary...."

Has anyone actually sat down and plowed through this book?
A retelling in more "modern" language would be of help for whoever
owns the copyright....this is done all the time with Bibles and other texts
written in archaic English etc. I know the language is part of the appeal and charm but if very few read it what good is that?


(This post was edited by Eruonen on Jul 30 2012, 2:51pm)


Curious
Half-elven


Jul 30 2012, 3:29pm


Views: 331
It has the advantage of coming before Tolkien,
but I never made my way through it all. The language is just so stylized. Still, I have been assured that it is worth it, if you can make the effort, or don't find it to be an effort.


(This post was edited by Curious on Jul 30 2012, 3:30pm)


CuriousG
Half-elven


Jul 30 2012, 4:36pm


Views: 287
Revealing footnote on that site you gave
Quote
To be accurate, Tolkien also pointed out that his work was not derivative from Eddison, had some pointed criticism of the ad-hoc nature of the the languages and geography of the Worm Ouroboros, and disliked most of the characters except for Lord Gro.
I have trouble with any book or movie where I don't like the characters. The Gormenghast novels fall in that category, and they were recommended to me by various Tolkien lovers.


dernwyn
Forum Admin / Moderator


Jul 30 2012, 4:38pm


Views: 270
I read it through, years ago
And my sole recollection is that the language made the reading experience unpleasant.

It was - well, "clunky", and had an artificially archaic feel.

Maybe it was just that I'm used to Tolkien's very fluid and "readable" use of archaic-style language! Evil

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"I desired dragons with a profound desire"

"It struck me last night that you might write a fearfully good romantic drama, with as much of the 'supernatural' as you cared to introduce. Have you ever thought of it?"
-Geoffrey B. Smith, letter to JRR Tolkien, 1915




DesiringDragons
Lorien


Jul 30 2012, 10:27pm


Views: 271
I liked the Gormenghast books (at least the first two), but
they are VERY different from Tolkien. I wouldn't want to spend time in Gormenghast, but I did find the grotesqueries wrought by Mervyn Peake's imagination bizarre and interesting. I don't re-read the books the way I read TH and LotR though.

I've tried to read Ouroborous a few times but I think the language almost gets in the way of the story because the style is a bit self-conscious for my taste. I've never finished it.


elostirion74
Rohan

Jul 31 2012, 10:17am


Views: 386
well, I suppose it depends on your reaction to the style
I found the book a great read, itīs a fascinating story with varied characterizations, vivid descriptions and a strong sense of style. In terms of ethics and morals the book doesnīt have the impact that for instance LoTR does, though. The deliberately archaized style might put you off, but itīs definitely worth trying. In my view the books deserves a status as one of the absolute classics of fantasy.