03rd Jul 2008
For Love of Dark Elves and Icingdeath
R.A. Salvatore is a genius although he doesn’t get the credit he deserves. Why is he a genius you ask? Simple – he created one of the most enduring and fascinating characters in fantasy literature (in just about any type of literature if you ask me) in the form of the dark elf Drizzt Do’Urden. With his scimitars Icingdeath and Twinkle, along with his faithful panther Guenhwyvar, he has cleaved a path into the hearts of millions of faithful readers. So, if Salvatore has created a character that is so beloved why is he not more celebrated? I believe the reason is the way people view fantasy fiction. There is something of a stigma attached to it. While some authors, such as Tolkien and Lewis are recognized for their genius, a thousand more great writers are relegated to only being appreciated by fans of the genre. For the vast majority, such as Salvatore, this is enough – he knows that the true testaments to a writer’s ability are the fans that are willing to follow him and Drizzt into any situation.
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