Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/18/84; site warwick.UUCP
Path: utzoo!linus!philabs!cmcl2!seismo!mcvax!ukc!warwick!asz
From: asz@warwick.UUCP (Frank N Furter)
Newsgroups: net.sf-lovers
Subject: Re: THE PROBLEMS OF SCIENCE FICTION TODAY, PART IV
Message-ID: <193@snow.warwick.UUCP>
Date: Thu, 6-Jun-85 22:50:43 EDT
Article-I.D.: snow.193
Posted: Thu Jun  6 22:50:43 1985
Date-Received: Wed, 12-Jun-85 00:54:10 EDT
References: <1095@druri.UUCP>
Reply-To: asz@warwick.UUCP (Frank N Furter)
Organization: Society for Being not Dreaming
Lines: 39
Keywords: flame cretin
Xpath: warwick snow snow ubu


In article <1095@druri.UUCP> dht@druri.UUCP (Davis Tucker) writes:
>
>Whether we want to admit it our not, science fiction includes fantasy.

     I don't want to classify science fiction and fantasy under the same
banner. I think they are different, even if the boundaries are a little fuzzy
and the exact categories a bit difficult to specify. Or can't I have them as
different, because after all _you_ say they are the same.

>Tolkein's works are finely crafted, well-written,
>and show an understanding of that element of mythos which is essential
>to good fantasy.

Tolkein's characters are the best crafted stereotypes I have ever seen. How
often did they get around to the basic pleasures in life, like __x.

>And precious few of his imitators have bothered
>to understand and explicate that gut-level need in every human being for
>good against evil and magic against all with any more subtletly and finesse
>than a Ginsu knife commercial.
>

_Gut level good against evil_ I would say "you make me throw, but I'm too
kind.

>Jason wasn't
>exactly the nicest guy in the world, and Ulysses had some serious problems
>himself.

Thomas Covenant was hardly a great hero (being a rapist etc). I think
fantasy has managed to come up with the anti-hero since Jason and Ulysses.
Ever read Moorcock (or maybe that's SF).

					--Alex

-- 


			... mcvax!ukc!warwick!asz