Brooks vs Tolkien - A study in viciousness.

[Grey_Wolf]

In reading Terry Brooks Shannara books I've noticed a certain viciousness in the killing of the characters which is not present in Tolkien's Lord of the Rings.

What think ye?

[Butterbeer]

I don't really know Doc, but it's one hell of a good title for a thread.

[Nurvingiel]

I completely agree. The body count is very high amongst named characters in Mr. Brooks' books.

I think it's not so much a viciousness on Terry Brooks' part, but a reflection of the harsh world his characters inhabit. There are simply many more extremely hideous monsters and violent magic in the Four Lands. (eg. The Voyage of the Jerle Shannara)

[Lief Erikson]

I completely agree. The body count is very high amongst named characters in Mr. Brooks' books.

I think it's not so much a viciousness on Terry Brooks' part, but a reflection of the harsh world his characters inhabit. There are simply many more extremely hideous monsters and violent magic in the Four Lands. (eg. The Voyage of the Jerle Shannara)
:p Technically, that didn't take place in the Four Lands ;).

[Curubethion]

I think you're right about Tolkien...but he was after all about 65-not the type of guy to be putting in gory details :p . (and it was after all WWII era. We're a lot more desensitized to violence now)

[brownjenkins]

i've only read the first few and i can't remember any main character dying at all... maybe i missed something

[Nurvingiel]

:p Technically, that didn't take place in the Four Lands ;).
Okay, the Four Lands and surrounding oceans and islands. :p


The main character doesn't die usually Brownie, but most of the "red shirts" and a number of supporting characters often get it. This happens more in the later books as opposed to The Sword of Shannara.

[Grey_Wolf]

I am at the moment reading The First King of Shannara. A Skullbearer and his minions have ripped apart the Druids and the Elven Royal Family. Pretty gory.

[inked]

Tolkien was disinclined to be gory because he was in WWI. See the Letters.

[Grey_Wolf]

I only have HOME & UT, but perhaps I can borrow the letter-book at the library.

And you'r quite correct. After going through WWI, was gory enough. writing gory details in his books would not do at all.

[Nurvingiel]

Plus, maybe writing gore just wasn't his style anyway. :)

I am at the moment reading The First King of Shannara. A Skullbearer and his minions have ripped apart the Druids and the Elven Royal Family. Pretty gory.
I remember that scene. :( Yeah, Brooks wins at gore and named character death.

[Grey_Wolf]

He sure does. And Tolkien isn't, as you say, a gory story-teller, which is good, because his writing style lends the fantasy category a dash of class compared to the more modern writers.

[Lief Erikson]

On the other hand, we do have scenes like Frodo approaching Mount Doom, and Frodo in Mordor, and the Nazgul's words as he describes what he's going to do to Eowyn. Those are all fairly graphic . . . though I agree, they aren't on a par with Brooks' "First King" violence.

[Jon S.]

Numerous sentient creatures - huge numbers - die throughout the LOTR - the Sim, too - so I guess I don't understand the point. Are you suggesting writing about death in a relatively more sanitized manner makes it less vicious? I think often the opposite is true.