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Fantasy Fiction with a Folkish-Legend Flare

July 17, 2017 By Author John Leave a Comment

Folkish-Legend Flare
Fantasy Fiction in the Tradition of JRR Tolkien

Folkish-Legend and JRR Tolkien

That which is folkish relates to stories of common people. Legends are non-historical or unverifiable stories relating to individuals and/or people groups. We’re talking common folk fiction!

JRR Tolkien’s fiction has a flavor of folkish-legend to it, from the main stories to the stories within the stories and the stories from which stories grew. The backstory for The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings is the Silmarillion—a bit tedious to read, but worth the effort. Many of the stories found within the folds of Tolkien’s various books (I would include the entire book of The Hobbit) have a folkish-legend flavor to them. (Link to his biography)

A number of my fantasy fiction books have that folkish-legend flavor as well, ordinary people enveloped in extraordinary stories.

Unlikely Heroes – a Quick Read Book

Fantasy Fiction StoryIn Unlikely Heroes, four ordinary young people, rejected and harassed, rise above the trials of life to become the most improbable of heroes. Denaar, Alayna, Weetin, and Owlie are mocked and mistreated because they are challenged by impediments that make them different from others. In the midst of their struggles, they come to the aid of an old man, assist a reluctant dragon, and defy the people of the realm. Their adventures take them from social castoffs to being unlikely heroes. You may find this to be your tale, as I have found it to be mine.

The Princess and the Orc – a Quick Read Book

The Princess and the Orc is a tale of courage with consequences that challenge how we think about those who are different from us. Kamela is a princess, while Drawf is a common orc, a despised common orc.

Tradition of JRR TolkienPrincess Kamela looks out on the Wilds of Avith and wonders what might live out there. She grimaces knowing that there is probably nothing out there but vile creatures called orcs. In the midst of her contemplations orcs from the Wilds swarm from hiding and take her captive. Imprisoned, she discovers that the orcs worship Nafash, an evil god that binds his people in fear. Drawf, a lowly but sensitive orc, is chosen to look after Kamela. And as he goes about what he must, he finds himself liking Kamela. Conflict moils within, but he must do what he must do! Kamela casts aside prejudice and reaches out to Drawf. However, since orcs hate her people and her people hate orcs, for him to respond in kind would be perilous. Death haunts both of Kamela and Drawf in this electrifying adventure in the Wilds of Aviith.

The Myth – a Fantasy Novel

Folk FixtionGabral, an ordinary girl, is thrust into an extraordinary story, as is Chance, her baby brother. Gabral saves her brother from death by fleeing into the arms of a feared forest with him held tight to her chest, while tears laced with fear fall from her eyes to wet his deformed hand and twisted leg. They, along with Arawk, a woodsman who takes them in, rise from common roots to heroic deeds.

Here is a scene from the story: The moon rose and the executioner climbed to the top of the altar followed by the man clad in black and two torchbearers. The man in black stopped just beyond the stairs and turned to face the throng below, while those to be sacrificed stood trembling at the foot of the altar.

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Filed Under: Author Blog Tagged With: Author John Edgell, extraordinary stories, JRR Tolkien, Kindle ebooks, Quick Read Books

Christian Fantasy Fiction at Its Best

June 23, 2017 By Author John Leave a Comment

Christian Fantasy Fiction at Its Best
Christian Fantasy Fiction in the Tradition of CS Lewis

Tarnished Crown – e-book only

Christian Fantasy FictionTarnished Crown is Christian fantasy fiction at its best. In this enchanting story, death stalks Pip’pt as he attempts to restore the King’s crown. In the tradition of CS Lewis, Tarnished Crown is a stirring allegory about Pip’pt’s struggle to press on toward an impossible goal in the face of extreme peril, his own confusion, and growing despair. The finale is fascinating, as are the characters you will meet throughout the story.

Journey to the Tower of Death – e-book only

This too is a story in the tradition of CS Lewis. Leander, Davina, and Fentoin’s pursuit of the forbidden is accompanied by the threat of peril. Journey to the Tower of Death is a powerful allegorical novella that explores the meaning of life.

Christian FantasyIn this story, Leander has to decide what he will do with his life. He has tried numerous trades, but nothing satisfied. Something is missing. There is a void in his life that those trades do not fill. Davina and Fenton have the same feeling of emptiness. Why is it there? What causes the emptiness within? That question plagues Leander and his friends. Then a strange old man offers answers. However, the place where those answers are to be found is forbidden. But they must have answers, and so begins their terrifying journey to the Tower of Death.

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Filed Under: Author Blog Tagged With: C.S. Lewis, Christian fiction, christian stories, enchanting stories, JRR Tolkien, Wizards

Exploring Life via the Medium of Story

July 5, 2016 By Author John Leave a Comment

Exploring Life via Story
Authors Explore Reality as They Write

When You Read You too Explore

Mysteries of LifeStories expose the past, illuminate the present, and envision the future. However, that does not mean the writer analyzes the past with clear insight, has a thoughtful grasp of present realities, or envisages a viable future. The writer gives their understanding, explores the mysteries of life via the imagination, and invites you to explore with them.

An example would be a scene from J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings. Frodo does not understand why Gandalf and the elves have allowed Gollum, Bilbo’s old nemesis, to live.

Story Wisdom“‘I am frightened; and I do not feel any pity for Gollum.’ ‘You have not seen him,’ Gandalf broke in. ‘No, and I don’t want to,’ said Frodo. ‘I can’t understand you. Do you mean to say that you, and the Elves, have let him live on after all those horrible deeds? Now at any rate he is as bad as an Orc, and just an enemy. He deserves death.’ ‘Deserves it! I daresay he does. Many that live deserve death. And some that die deserve life. Can you give it to them? Then do not be too eager to deal out death in judgement. For even the very wise cannot see all ends.”

Later Gollum is groveling at Frodo and Sam’s feet and Frodo remembers Gandalf’s words, and he feels pity for Gollum. But Sam does not understand. If he had his way Gollum would die on the spot. Yet in the end Gollum plays an important role in the destiny of the ring and all the players involved.

Exploring Via Different Story Forms

ReadingThroughout Tolkien explores understanding of how the past touches the present and impacts the future. Yet, we find in his response to some unenthusiastic reviews that he did not take his work too seriously. He states, “Some who have read the book, or at any rate reviewed it, have found it boring, absurd, or contemptible; and I have no reason to complain, since I have similar opinions of their work, or of the kinds of writing that they evidently prefer.”

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Filed Under: Author Blog Tagged With: CS Lewis, Frodo, Gandalf, Gollum, JRR Tolkien, Narnia

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John Edgell, Author

John has experience as a school teacher, a pastor, and has been a writer of stories since his two sons were knee high to a gnome.

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