What Makes Good Fantasy?
I’ve spent the past week or so reading fantasy and scifi novels for the Ledger’s round-up. I was pleased to be assigned the roundup. It’s a genre full of authors I enjoy, and books I like to reread. And it was pure delight to be able to read Ender In Exile, find that it was just as good as I’d hoped, and then to write about the ways it made me happy.
The pure fantasy, with magic and swords, was not nearly so wonderful. I wonder what would have changed if I’d been the one rummaging through my editor’s stacks, and picking books. I probably wouldn’t have picked up The Dragonlance Book I reviewed
Looking at the books I still have on my shelves, their spines fissured and wrinkled with multiple readings, I think I can pin down what I like about the genre. A strong, internal logic of world and culture is a must. I like being able to see variations of actual world cultures and legends. (Remember, dear readers, I was an anthro major.) Or a magical and cultural system that is unique, stays consistent, and fuels both the plot, and interesting musings you can take outside the book, about how assumptions play a part in our own culture. I don’t mind unsubtle social commentary peeking through my speculative fiction. I think that’s what it’s for, at best. If I want a more straightforward adventure, there’s always suspense and mystery, genres I also like.
And yes, the fantasy writers on my shelf are gifted writers, who, most of all, write well-crafted descriptions and realistic characters. I felt that was missing from the books I reviewed: real star-quality storytelling. Then again, there are only a handful who pull off fantasy of that quality: Guy Gavriel Kay, Tamora Pierce, Diane Duane, Neil Gaiman, Jacqueline Carey, Mercedes Lackey. That’s the list from my bookshelf. And I know that there are people who will see those, and gasp at one or two I haven’t included. Leave me a comment, please! I’d love to read some highly recommended sword and sorcery fiction, especially after this week.
Geez, where to start?
Okay. I know you’ve read, and some how not liked, Tolkien. I won’t harsh on you about it, though I would suggest that if you haven’t finished Lord of the Rings, it’s useful just to understand where a lot of modern fantasy tropes come from. Also, you might try Children of Hurin, since I seem to remember that you liked the Silmarillion.
Robert E. Howard: Conan, again, is a pretty seminal figure (especially for Sword-and-sorcery). And he’s a good writer. All of his work is short stories, and there’s a few nice collections out there now. (Del Ray put out some very nice ones a few years ago).
Two others that I’m more confident you’d enjoy.
Ursula K. LeGuin. Does both fantasy and science fiction. Her parents were both anthropologists, and it shows in her writing and world building. Her Wizard of Earthsea series is astoundingly wonderful. She’s also got a series going right now that begins with Gifts…I forget the title of the series. Both are ostensibly “young adult” books, but I’ve never stopped enjoying them.
Lois McMaster Bujold. I’ve only read one of her books (Paladin of Souls), but that one read was enough to convince me that she rocks.
Oh, and George RR Martin. Song of Fire and Ice is great, though it’s also long, complex, and not finished. So be warned going into it.
I’m sure I’ll think of more as the day wears on.
I would have to agree. In general a great deal of fantasy that is without restraint and over the top is quite oftentime not enjoyable. In the fantasy book that I wrote, I strived to focus more on the characters and create cultures that were reminiscent of ones here on earth but truly unique to my fantasy world. Tolkien did a phenomenal job on the Children of Hurin, truly focusing on character development and depth. You should read it.
I’m assuming you’ve read the A Song of Ice and Fire series by George R.R. Martin? If so, how did you like it? I need to read Guy Gavriel Kay. I’ve heard really good things about him. Also, have you tried Steven Erikson. I personally like fantasy that does not employ much magic, and if it does, I like for it to be subtle.