While I'm a big fan of Terry Pratchett, I think his books/stories are more comic-fantasy, and they tend to be less about the fantasy and more about an idea or concept which is explored in a fantasy setting.
Whilst being a Brummie and growing up next to Tolkiens house... I have put down Terry Prattchet as he just makes you laugh out loud. Tolkien was too serious... morose even... Living through two world wars and wanting to live forever would do that too you.
Terry Pratchett has a form of Alzheimers so is going mad... This in an author helps... Bless him. Love his work AND his charity work.
I honestly find Tolkien a bit overrated. I mean, yes, he founds modern fantasy in the way that Lovecraft founds much of modern horror, but original doesn't necessarily mean best.
@decado: I have to admit, I preferred Hobb before she made everything about dragons. All the non-dragon parts of her books are great, but I kinda gave up after Fool's Fate (which is amazing in spite of the dragons). The Fool will always be one of my favourite fictional characters ever.
i have to go with @freche he might not be the technically best writer, but the wheel of time series blows everything else out of the water in terms of scope, story and epicness
robin hobb on the other hand is a technically better writer, with better character development. moorcock is great too.
in short there is no "best"
and if there was salvatore and hickman would not be anywhere near it.
Tolkien. He was the person who got me into this world of makebelief ;P Back in my days this was pretty much the only fantasy you could find in Swedish, and I still read LOTR again every second year or so.
Wendi and Richard Pini- Not my favorite of all time, but I was moving some boxes today and came across an old Elfquest book. Man I loved those as a kid! I hadn't thought about them in years, I spent most my night after work researching what had happened since I last read an elfquest comic. They had such beautiful and colorful art and emotionally engaging story lines.
i loved so many of the characters and built quite an emotional attachment to the stories. I've literally teared up reading them. Kahvi burying Vaya, Venka and Winnowil showdown, Leetah and Cutter reuniting, awesome stuff. Quite the coincedence u started a topic like this
Edit: if u haven't read the stories, all the comics and books are now posted online for free at their website. Highly recommend reading them, very unique elven culture, very Native American inspired
Gah, not wanting to spoil you fun here, but Ive always felt that Robin Hobb's heroes are tragical unto a point where it just isnt believable anymore? I have only read two books, so I may be wrong?
Gah, not wanting to spoil you fun here, but Ive always felt that Robin Hobb's heroes are tragical unto a point where it just isnt believable anymore? I have only read two books, so I may be wrong?
I didn't like her "Soldier Son Trilogy" series *at all*, partly for this reason, but the The Farseer Trilogy is great, and the Liveship Traders Trilogy too (and has less of the "tragic" quality about it), and is very inventive.
I am not much for fiction books, but I often pic up Shakespeare. I love A Midsummer Night's Dream the most by far, but no matter what I choose to read among his works I always find spine tingling beauty. Frank Herbert
Wow really ... no Robert Jordan? Tolkien would get my best overall vote, but right now Robert Jordan, cause I've just finished the 2nd to last book Now I just need to get a copy of his latest here in the PI.
Edit: Yeah, I'll agree on Brandon Sanderson, since of course he continued on the series after Jordan's death based on Jordan's outline and notes
There are more missing: Brandon Sanderson Jim Butcher
@ajwz - that's cool if you didn't like the books, personally I really loved the story and how it progressed, it really evolves as the books go on, and these last few with Brandon Sanderson are really amazing IMO. But everyone has their own preferences. I'm still surprised Jordan didn't make the list though even if not everyone likes his books
I really liked the Wheel of Time books back when I read them (I think I started when I was 13 or so), but man do they drag on after a while. I haven't read any of the ones published after Jordan died, but I remember that by the time I got to reading the 9th or so book I was reading them more out of habit/a desire to finish the series than anything, and almost it felt like a chore at some points.
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how can he not be in that list!
He's not amused of not being on this list... Your punishmed will be most severe...
Without him we couldn't now have all the fantasy books, films, computer-games.
Even... even BG wouldn't be the same if it would be at all.
I sincerely think The Lord of the Rings is the best fiction book ever written.
And in the BBC think the same: http://www.bbc.co.uk/arts/bigread/top100.shtml
Terry Pratchett has a form of Alzheimers so is going mad... This in an author helps... Bless him. Love his work AND his charity work.
@decado: I have to admit, I preferred Hobb before she made everything about dragons. All the non-dragon parts of her books are great, but I kinda gave up after Fool's Fate (which is amazing in spite of the dragons). The Fool will always be one of my favourite fictional characters ever.
Brandon Sanderson
Jim Butcher
robin hobb on the other hand is a technically better writer, with better character development. moorcock is great too.
in short there is no "best"
and if there was salvatore and hickman would not be anywhere near it.
actually i have my best/favourite...gene wolfe
He was the person who got me into this world of makebelief ;P
Back in my days this was pretty much the only fantasy you could find in Swedish, and I still read LOTR again every second year or so.
Go JRR
I also have alot of time for Joe Abercrombie: http://www.joeabercrombie.com/
Katherine Kerr is also very good: http://www.deverry.com/
Also Robin Hobb: http://robinhobb.com/
Not my favorite of all time, but I was moving some boxes today and came across an old Elfquest book. Man I loved those as a kid! I hadn't thought about them in years, I spent most my night after work researching what had happened since I last read an elfquest comic. They had such beautiful and colorful art and emotionally engaging story lines.
i loved so many of the characters and built quite an emotional attachment to the stories. I've literally teared up reading them. Kahvi burying Vaya, Venka and Winnowil showdown, Leetah and Cutter reuniting, awesome stuff. Quite the coincedence u started a topic like this
Edit: if u haven't read the stories, all the comics and books are now posted online for free at their website. Highly recommend reading them, very unique elven culture, very Native American inspired
Gah, not wanting to spoil you fun here, but Ive always felt that Robin Hobb's heroes are tragical unto a point where it just isnt believable anymore? I have only read two books, so I may be wrong?
It does belong in Off Topic, though, so I'll move it there now. Carry on!
Edit: Yeah, I'll agree on Brandon Sanderson, since of course he continued on the series after Jordan's death based on Jordan's outline and notes @ajwz - that's cool if you didn't like the books, personally I really loved the story and how it progressed, it really evolves as the books go on, and these last few with Brandon Sanderson are really amazing IMO. But everyone has their own preferences. I'm still surprised Jordan didn't make the list though even if not everyone likes his books