Interesting conversation! I usually don't read fantasy (except for Diana Peach's) because so much of it appears formulaic. I lean more toward magical realism because it has a foot in each world. I remember hearing a keynote address a few years ago by Gregory Mcguire about why adults need fairy tales.
I am with you, Liz on reading fantasy. That is why I defer to Sarah on this genre because of her depth of reading in this area. I have recently explored fantasy and have found that fairy tales usually deal with fundamental human dilemmas in symbolic form. I see fairy tales as the simplest expressions of classic narrative structure, which does appear formulaic. I have Gregory Mcguire’s “Wicked” on my TBR for 2025. I read that he believes that reimagining classic tales with moral and political complexity encourages readers to question traditional narrative and explore deeper meanings. I continue to learn!!!
Like every genre, fantasy isn't always well-written. I have certainly started a few books that I didn't *quite* finish. :-) You are correct, Rebecca, and you as well, Liz, in embracing work that shapes fantasy in real world context. One of the greatest joys - and benefits - that I appreciate of fantasy, in ANY form, is its ability to stretch one's thinking, to build images in one's mind's eye, and to cultivate creativity in the context of "what if?" ... when I contemplate the potential represented in the human mind, "what if?" CAN become, "we can!"
Interesting conversation! I usually don't read fantasy (except for Diana Peach's) because so much of it appears formulaic. I lean more toward magical realism because it has a foot in each world. I remember hearing a keynote address a few years ago by Gregory Mcguire about why adults need fairy tales.
I am with you, Liz on reading fantasy. That is why I defer to Sarah on this genre because of her depth of reading in this area. I have recently explored fantasy and have found that fairy tales usually deal with fundamental human dilemmas in symbolic form. I see fairy tales as the simplest expressions of classic narrative structure, which does appear formulaic. I have Gregory Mcguire’s “Wicked” on my TBR for 2025. I read that he believes that reimagining classic tales with moral and political complexity encourages readers to question traditional narrative and explore deeper meanings. I continue to learn!!!
Like every genre, fantasy isn't always well-written. I have certainly started a few books that I didn't *quite* finish. :-) You are correct, Rebecca, and you as well, Liz, in embracing work that shapes fantasy in real world context. One of the greatest joys - and benefits - that I appreciate of fantasy, in ANY form, is its ability to stretch one's thinking, to build images in one's mind's eye, and to cultivate creativity in the context of "what if?" ... when I contemplate the potential represented in the human mind, "what if?" CAN become, "we can!"