“Quite frankly - when it comes to fiction - Tolkien was a much better author.”
Could be. I read little fiction, except the classics, and am selective about them too. I’ve read most of Dostoevsky, all of Hugo, for example. Liked some of Hemingway’s early fiction, but not so much his later novels. I just do not like Tolkien. There is something “dark” about his writing, while I find Lewis always refreshing, with perhaps the exception of “That Hideous Strength,” and, “The Screwtape Letters.”
On what do you base your opinion that Tolkien is the better author. Is it objective, or just a personal opinion? Just curious.
Hank
You wrote:
“There is something “dark” about his writing, while I find Lewis always refreshing, with perhaps the exception of “That Hideous Strength,” and, “The Screwtape Letters.””
I agree that That Hideous Strength is dark, but I always found The Screwtape Letters rather “light” - even though it is about demons and temptation.
“On what do you base your opinion that Tolkien is the better author. Is it objective, or just a personal opinion? Just curious.”
I think - when it came to fiction - Tolkien was a more able, more sophisticated author. Lewis was effective, but I don’t think he was evocative or able to build a complex story like Tolkien. Lewis went, generally, for obvious allegorical fairy tales while Tolkien built an entire other world.
Both were great writers. Lewis was especially good at turning a phrase. Mind you, Lewis - when it comes to turning a phrase - is a distant second to GK Chesteron!
Hank