Tolkien: and then the Good King came and cast out the Evil Stewards who were corrupt because they ruled without the correct bloodline. Everything was peaceful after that and there was no more evil. There are two women in this story. Monarchy is good. The actual singular God who created everything wants you to be ruled by a 300 year old nobleman. The End.

GRRM: Feudalism is inherently destructive. Even the Noble Good Guys cause unimaginable suffering due to the structures of the system they operate within. Women are no more than brood mares under Feudalism. There is a Good King whose father was deposed. This Good King has spent his life living amongst the common people in order to become a good ruler. He is being manipulated by cynical actors and will bring devastation to the world when he begins his conquest. Thirty years ago the Hero of Prophecy acted to save the world from the Great Evil. He unleashed devastation on the land, died, and destroyed his own dynasty, possibly dooming the world. There are no gods, only powerful forces beyond our understanding that operate through the power of blood. Once upon a time there was a Good King who ruled justly. He brought peace to the land and improved the common folks' lot tremendously. Due the nature of Feudalism, the succession crisis that succeeded his reign led to the most bloodshed in 300 years. No one who wants war understands its cost.

People who dislike things because they're popular: Wow these are exactly the same!

  • UlyssesT [he/him]
    ·
    edit-2
    2 years ago

    People who dislike things because they’re popular

    That's presumptive as all get out. I enjoy Tolkien's works while knowing what ideological messes they are.

    https://existentialcomics.com/comic/175

    I dislike GRRM's work, by and large, because the novelty of "what if sort of Tolkien, but grimmer, darker, and

    spoiler

    lots and lots of rape as plot points and narrative emphasis"

    wasn't appealing to me in 1995 and started a persistent trend that is still going and has long since wore out its welcome for me.

    Disclaimer: I can handle "grimdark" somewhat. Warhammer Fantasy is still fun for me, especially because it lacks GRRM's narrative preoccupations.

      • UlyssesT [he/him]
        ·
        2 years ago

        It'd be nice if that titillation wasn't decades of now-redundant "shock" value. Sex can be sexy without becoming yet another narrative emphasis on

        spoiler

        Ye Olde Gaynge Raype.

    • Frank [he/him, he/him]
      ·
      2 years ago

      If you want good Grimdark fantasy check out the Books of the Black Company. Basically fantasy Vietnam from the perspective of the slightly-less bad guys.