Fantasy
Definitions of FANTASY GENRE
http://web.utk.edu/~wrobinso/574_lec_fan.htmlFantasy deals with " plausible impossibilities. "What ifs" are important. "WHAT IF" we lived on a world where dragons really existed? "WHAT IF magic could be learned and practiced rather like engineering or mathematics.
Connie Rockman says that fantasy typically includes strong themes:
· Life is difficult
· Evil exists in the hearts of some, and its seeds are in each of us
· Hatred is a terrible emotion and feeds on itself
· Jealousy is poisonous
· Cooperation wins battles of all kinds
· If you are kind and caring, true to your friends, listen to your elders, eventually you will overcome evil forces.
Fantasy stories are often based upon myth or legend. A myth is a story that is believable and often believed, but is not true. To become a myth a story has to have had a reasonably large number of believers and a belief that has lasted over time. Myths are usually associated with ancient times. A legend is a story that may be partially true, but has been embellished to take on a larger life and context.
Sometimes the setting is exotic and very different from anything we have known. In other stories, the setting could well be historical fiction except that names have changed slightly and there are two moons--one yellowish-white and the other blue. Medieval Europe is the most favored setting, but there are many other possibilities. Settings are often quite detailed.
Something magical is almost always part of fantasy. Magic may be seen in the setting or in the plot. It may be practiced by the characters. Without magic, many fantasies would simply be alternative historical fiction, i.e. what if Hitler had been killed in 1942 or what if the Roman Empire continued into the 19th Century?
Fantasy is also characterized by the fight between good and evil. A few people without power or authority are often able to defeat the powerful and the evil though not without cost. Today's fantasies are more likely to include characters who are both good and evil, but still good triumph in some important way. A QUEST of some kind is often part of the fight against evil. The quest may be for an artifact that will yield great power or it may be for a character that will make an essential difference.
[FANTASY] ACTION/ADVENTURE
Fast paced story with considerable action as the main character faces a series of difficult challenges. Often, involves a CHASE or a QUEST. Adventure is more notable than the struggle between good and evil. Limited world building.
ALTERNATE HISTORY
Reasonably historical fiction with the difference being that something happened or did not happen to insure a different outcome. May include fantastic elements or be wholly unrealistic except for the key assumption, e.g. Germany invaded Britain in World War II and won the war.
ALTERNATE/PARALLEL WORLD
Main characters are transported from this world to another one where magic works and other fantastic elements are present.
ARTHURIAN
Stories about King Arthur, Merlin, Knights of the Round Table. Mists of Avalon by Marion Bradley is a good example.
CHRISTIAN FANTASY
Fantasy with a Christian theme or focus. May be explicit or implicit. George MacDonald and C.S. Lewis are examples.
COMIC
Stories that poke fun at typical fantasy conventions, such as Bored of the Rings.
CONTEMPORARY OR MODERN FANTASY
Fantasy story set in our world in contemporary times, often in an urban environment, but may be anywhere. Can be humorous or an adventure story. May also be dark or urban [see below].
COURT INTRIGUE
Stories that focus primarily on the strategy and tactics of striving for power within the royal court, including political competition for ultimate power.
DARK FANTASY
Since horror has negative associations/connotations, some authors and publishers prefer this phrase instead. Often, the horror here is not as horrible as that found under the horror category. Stephen King is considered to be a dark fantasy author.
EPIC FANTASY
Also sometimes called HIGH FANTASY or HEROIC FANTASY. Fantasy stories of heroes in imaginary lands with complicated world building, many characters, and focus on the battle between good and some enormous evil. The hero usually has unusual and perhaps unsuspected strength, but it takes time for this to be revealed. Often, the hero is involved in some sort of quest. Tolkien's Lord of the Rings is the model. Popular with readers, several authors have written and continue to write these works. Many are derivative. Robert Jordan is perhaps the best known current writer in this category (nine volumes and continuing). Still the most popular part of the genre.
FAIRY TALES
Stories based upon folk or fairy tales, normally European. A novel based on a retelling of the tale of beauty and the beast would be a good example.
HEROIC
Traditional fantasy stories focusing on a hero who overcomes all. Conan the Barbarian is one example. SWORD AND SORCERY is another name for this category. Typically contains less world building and more action/adventure. Note that the boundaries between different fantasy categories are often very fuzzy.
HISTORICAL
The story takes place in a reasonably accurate rendition of a real time and place, but with the addition of magical elements.
HUMOROUS FANTASY
Fantastic story with notable humorous elements, often satirical comment on society and manners. May also be called LIGHT FANTASY. Terry Pratchett is the best known current author. Robert Asprin is another.
LEGENDARY FANTASY
Fantasy story based upon legend, myth, or folk tale.
MAGIC REALISM
Fantasy stories where the laws of magic receive considerable attention. These laws impact how magic is practiced and the results of that practice
MILITARY FANTASY
Fantasy story focused on war and warfare, often in a medieval setting. Here, warfare with its strategy and tactic is a primary element rather than being part of the story.
MAGIC
Magic may be good or evil. It usually requires special abilities (came at birth) and rigorous training. SORCERY is usually evil and blood-thirsty.
MYSTERY FANTASY
Fantasy story built upon suspense and a mystery. For example, the detective might be a person in a world where crimes are committed via magic.
PARANORMAL FANTASY
Fantasy story with emphasis on mind over body power such as telepathy, telekinesis, shape shifting, and immortality. Some of these stories may be better placed in the horror or dark fantasy category. Werewolf and vampire stories are well-known examples.
RELIGIOUS FANTASY
Fantasy story built upon religion orreligious practices. This may include conflict between gods or characters who are members of a religious order.
ROLE PLAYING GAMES [RPG]
Fantasy games, often board games, where players assume the role of fantasy characters in a complex game. More recently seen in computer and video games. Dungeons and Dragons is the best known and earliest major example. The popular "Dragonlance" series are a result of D & D. Several role playing games have generated substantial series of fantasy books.
ROMANCE FANTASY
Fantasy story using many of the elements and conventions of the romance genre. Here the romance is more central to the plot than the fantastic elements. Note Harlequin's new Luna line with its focus on strong female characters, action and danger, as well as a romantic relationship. Some publishers distinguish between "romantic fantasy" where the romance is most important and "fantasy romance" where the fantasy elements are most important.
SAGA, MYTH, LEGEND
Fantasy story based on myths, legends, and sagas, usually European. Examples might include stories about King Arthur and Robin Hood as well as Greek and Roman mythology.
SWORD AND SORCERY
Fantasy story with a hero or heroine, usually darker and more brutal than the HEROIC FANTASY. The hero excels at swordplay and uses a variety of weapons with unusual effectiveness. The hero faces sorcery and triumphs because of strength of will and unusual good fortune. The setting is usually medieval with limited science and technology. Howard's Conan the Barbarian is the archetype. Fast paced, plot with underdeveloped characters is typical. Often rooted in the pulp fiction conventions of the 1930s. Lacks the serious purpose of HEROIC FANTASY.
TALKING ANIMALS
Fantasy story limited to animals who act like humans or with talking (may speak telepathically) animals playing a major role. Watership Down, about the rabbit civilization, is a good example.
URBAN FANTASY
Gritty, often dark stories set in an intensely urban environment where contemporary ordinary people do what they do, but fantastic creatures are there as well. Vampires seem especially popular.