Fantasy stories good vs evil?

Question

Why do fantasy stories have the good characters mostly winning? why can't the villans win for a change?

Answer 1

Hi there. I'm the author of a new medieval fantasy book that you might like. One of the major villains actually becomes a good guy, then reverts back to his true nature. It might be the kind of storyline you're looking for.

The title is THE BLACKGLOOM BOUNTY. It's 445 pages of action, adventure, magic, mystery and mayhem. If you're into Conan, LOTR or Harry Potter type books, this is one you'll enjoy.

Good luck, whatever you decide to read!

Jon F. Baxley (Author, Editor, Ghostwriter and Proofreader)

THE SCYTHIAN STONE (eBook only)
THE BLACKGLOOM BOUNTY (eBook and hard cover)
THE REGENTS OF RHUM (coming fall '07)

Major Media Reviews:

Publishers Weekly

STARRED Review. A fast pace, sly humor, amusing dialogue and a richly researched background lift Baxley's fantasy, the first of a new series set in medieval Britain. When Merlin's long-ago apprentice Kruzurk Makshare (aka the Boozer) receives a dreamlike visitation from the legendary mage, he learns he must destroy another former apprentice, the villainous Seed of Cerberus. To do so will require a visit to the demon-guarded Blackgloom Keep. Enter young Daynin McKinnon, who discovers a curious rune-covered headstone, which may be the fabled Blackgloom Bounty, and brings it to Kruz's attention. Kruz believes it will provide entry into the fortress, while Daynin hopes the sale of the stone will restore his family's fortunes. The colorful cast of good guys and ne'er-do-wells includes the Pictish ghost of Brude McAlpin liberated from his tomb, assorted pursuing Caledonians and a bemused Prior Bede, whose monastery serves as a hiding place for the Blackgloom Bounty. Suitable for fantasy enthusiasts of all ages.

Library Journal
"This series opener...is a good choice for fans of epic-style sagas and Scottish history."

Harriet Klausner, Amazon's #1 Ranked Reviewer!
"This terrific medieval fantasy...will elate readers for its fast-paced, action-thrilled story line starring a strong cast."

Nancy McCulloch, PRWEB Article, March 20, 2006
"Two thumbs up for a colorful cast of characters, nonstop, rapid-fire action and compelling storyline!"

Fantasybookspot.com Review by Tyler, Febuary 2006
"Taking place in Medieval Scotland, this tale of magic, adventure and love really captured my attention..."

Answer 2

Not all fantasy novels end with the 'heroes' triumphant. Those that I have come across over the years have deviated from the typical 'hollywood ending' (pardon the phrase).

Michael Moorcock's Tale of the Eternal Champion series is one that stands out, simply because some of champion's many incarnations do not possess certain characteristics which would be considered heroic; they're anti-heroes, which means they have similar behaviour to conventional heroes, but have a wounded quality to them or are deeply cynical.

Tragic Heroes are usually central to the story who may or may not be likeable or admirable, whose actions we may even deplore. This type can also be the Flawed Hero, where they may have admirable qualities, but also posess inner demons that they never overcome and are brought down by them. Al Pacino's character in Sarface is one example.

Richard Matheson's I Am Legend is told from the perspective of the last living human after the world's population have been infected by a virus that has reduced them to vampiric revenants.
Because of his actions during the book, his fate has an ironic twist to it.

Although I last read these years ago, the Drangonlance Chronicles are still amongst the best fantasy novels, because the 'Heroes' are reluctant ones, not to mention dysfunctional. They each have flaws that could potentially split the group, but are held together by one character's strong leadership.

Some of the best stories have the 'Heroic' cause victorious, but this is at such a high price that it's almost a defeat. The most narrow of margins.

Sometimes winning can be conquering their own demons.

Read Oliver Johnson's Trilogy: The Forging of the Shadows; The Nations of the Night; The Last Star at Dawn. The Antagonists are in abundance in these books.

Some selected titles along with those in the source listing:
Lullaby:Chuck Palahniuk
Of Love and Hunger - Julian Mclaren-Ross
Replay - Ken Grimwood
The Forever War: Joe Haldeman
A Fine And Private Place: Peter S Beagle
Jewels Of Aptor: Samuel R Delaney

Answer 3

You do have a point. But with some fantasy stories, before the stories begin, the bad guys have already won and they need to be liberated. And in some fantasy stories, the good guys do win but eventually, through trial and error. If the good guys didn't win in the end, it would be considered a tragedy. And that's not with just fantasy, most book proclaim a happy ending. Unless it's a Stephen King ending or something like that. People come to expect happy endings because it gives them a relative high feeling of elation. When it's a tragedy, people are bound to be darkened and sad.

Answer 4

I wouldn't say the good guys always win...the "better guys," maybe, but in good fantasy, the characters will be complex enough that the good guys are not purely saints and the bad guys are not purely sinners. A good example is George R. R. Martin's "A Song of Fire and Ice" saga--so far it consists of A Game of Thrones, A Clash of Kings, A Storm of Swords, and A Feast of Crows. The books are told from the viewpoints of many different characters, and very few characters end up coming out looking like pure good or bad guys. And the ones that do usually end up dead. In fact, at this point in the series, I have no idea which side is good or evil. They're very good books, and pretty cool for their complexity of character--I'd recommend them if you like seeing a story that's less "good vs. evil" and more "people vs. people."

Answer 5

Because usually, the audience do not want to see evil winning the battle over good.

Usually the audience of fantasy stories are children and if evil were to win, then the wrong message would be sent out and it is possible that the children may attempt to immitate the actions of the evil characters within the story.

Answer 6

Grunts by Mary Gentle the story of a unit of Tolkien type Orcs trying to survive after the triumph of Good is a fantasy from the villains viewpoint and is an enjoyable satire but doesn't really quite come off.

Answer 7

Because most people want to read uplifting stuff. Most fantasy is exactly that - fantasy - and people want escapism! In the real world very often the "baddie" does win and people who read fantasy enjoy the concept of good winning over evil - even if the story lines are often quite similar.
Read any couple of David Gemmell's books and you will see what I mean - brilliant stuff

Answer 8

Because we all like to believe in justice and good overcoming evil (even if it's not necessarily true). Plus, i have read books where evil has won and actually felt quite cheated. It's escapism and i want a happy ending, as do most people.
Also, especially in the fantasy books aimed at younger audiences, there is a moral that, no matter how hard it is, it is always better to try to go the good thing as appose to the easier, bad thing.

Answer 9

The question is, who is good and who is evil? in the end, are the good guys so different than the bad guys? both sides do evil things to win - they both steal, lie, murder and use others to win the war, so what makes 1 side good and the other evil? it's like the gal on top said, if the story was told from the point of view of the bad guys, they wouldn't b the bad guys. the bottom line is, it's actions that define good and evil, not what you stand for or if your banner is black, or white.

Answer 10

I think at the end of every fantasy book good has to win otherwise the 'end of the world as it is at the time' would change for ever and the bad would become the norm. Good guys sometimes get killed along the way and don't you feel more 'upset' when one of them dies than when a bad guy dies. So Bad guys can die/good guys win - this makes us feel better!