Tolkien, that master of enchantment, does not denigrate science. Rather he insists that all good fantasy starts with reasoned, reliable knowledge of the world -- "a recognition of fact, but not a slavery to it." Fantasy is founded "upon the hard recognition that things are so in the world as it appears under the sun," says Tolkien. The Secondary World of fantasy is made out of the Primary World, no less so than science.
Would you like to comment?
Join Diigo for a free account, or sign in if you are already a member.