Was J. R. R. Tolkien the First Author to Create a Fantasy Saga with Such a Big Lore?

The debate over J. R. R. Tolkien's status as the pioneer of the grand, expansive fantasy saga with intricate lore is a fascinating one. While many might point to Tolkien as the defining example of a detailed, world-remitting fantasy narrative, there are earlier authors who laid the groundwork for such complex sagas. Among these, American novelist and playwright James Branch Cabell stands out as one of the earliest pioneers. His Dominions, a series of novels set in the alternate history of Poictesme, pushes the boundaries of fantasy and alternate timelines.

James Branch Cabell - An Early Predecessor

James Branch Cabell is likely one of the earliest authors to explore the concept of a vast, narrative-rich fantasy world. His works, such as the Dominions series, which take place in an alternate history of Poictesme, exhibit a meticulous attention to detail and a compelling alternate timeline. His work has often been compared to that of James Joyce due to the difficulty in annotating and cross-referencing all his intricately woven narratives. However, Cabell's works remain largely overlooked in discussions of the fantasy genre.

J. R. R. Tolkien - A Scholar and Storyteller

While James Branch Cabell was exploring the alternate history of Poictesme, J. R. R. Tolkien, on the other hand, delved into European mythical sagas and created a grand narrative for his "fairy tales for grownups." Tolkien was conscious of the authors such as Edward Plunkett, R. A. Laffan, and others, who wrote sagas. He wanted to create a story that would be taken seriously, one that required depth and maturity, devoid of the typical romance and swashbuckling.

Tolkien was a prolific writer, and his compulsion to write led to extensive notes and treatments for his work. Unfortunately, much of his work prior to the success of The Lord of the Rings remains unpublished. If Tolkien had lived longer, he might have transformed his extensive, fragmented works into a cohesive epic novel series, much like the collected The Silmarillion and Books of Lost Tales.

Other Pioneers in Fantasy

While Tolkien and Cabell were creating elaborate narrative worlds, closer to our time but still preceding Tolkien, Edgar Rice Burroughs was already making waves with his imaginative Tarzan series. Burroughs not only created a vast world on the Earth's surface but also delved into his other planets, such as Mars, with his Barsoom series. This shows the universality of Burroughs' imagination, where the fantasy realms are expansive and multifaceted.

Additionally, two lesser-known but influential authors are Fritz Leiber and Frank Baum. Fritz Leiber's Fafhrd and the Grey Mouser stories, published in Fantastic from 1939 onwards and later compiled into books, have garnered significant literary praise. Leiber's work, similar to the later Conan stories, showcased the combination of adventure and worldbuilding. Frank Baum, known for his Oz series, wrote a total of 14 novels starting in 1900. While Baum is often associated with children's literature, his work contains a rich, imaginative world that rivals Tolkien's in terms of complexity and depth.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while J. R. R. Tolkien is undoubtedly a master of worldbuilding in the fantasy genre, his work was part of a lineage of innovative storytelling that began long before him. Authors like James Branch Cabell, Edgar Rice Burroughs, Fritz Leiber, and Frank Baum laid the groundwork for expansive, multifaceted fantasy sagas. Their works, often overlooked in the broader narratives of literary history, have paved the way for Tolkien and subsequent generations of fantasy writers. These earlier authors offer a wealth of inspiration and insight into the richness of the fantasy genre.