2006-12-12 01:06:27 · 15 answers · asked by kellerie 1 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Books & Authors
I am creating a fantasy literature course and would appreciate knowing what books/writers people think are important, and why. (please exclude Tolkien, as he is obviously the most important)
2006-12-12 01:13:32 · update #1
From a historic point of view, Beowulf, Bullfinch's Mythology (detailing the Greek myths) and Mallory's Morte D'Arthur pretty much defined the 'going on quests', 'slaying monsters' and 'rescuing damsels' aspect of the genre. For language, Tolkein. For the representation of the divine, C.S. Lewis. For characterisation, David Eddings (the Belgariad, the Mallorean). For effects on popular culture, Robert E. Howard's Conan series (defined the 'Sword and Sorcery' genre), Weis and Hickman's Dragonlance books (one of the most popular sets from the Dungeons and Dragons school of fantasy thought) and Rowling's Harry Potter books for a modern treatment. And finally, for a genuinely well-crafted look at the genre, either the tongue-in- cheek format of Pratchett's Discworld books or the rich, gothic feel of Gormenghast.
2006-12-12 02:40:02 · answer #1 · answered by Leo B 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Fantasy? Well, lets see...L.E.Modessitt( the Recluce series), Judith Tarr (Alamut and The Dagger and the Cross), Morgan Llywellyn, Ursula K. LeGuin ( the Earthsea books), Neil Gaimon (Anansi Boys),Guy Gavriel Kay (Fionovar Tapestry trilogy), Terry Brooks (the Landover, Magic Kingdom series), David Eddings (the Elenion and the Tamuli trilogies),Raymond Feist (Rage of a Demon King), Piers Anthony (the Xanth books),
Terry Goodkind ( the Sword of Truth saga), Richard Adams (Watership Downs) ,Frank L. Baum ( the Oz books) ,
Lewis Carroll (Alice In Wonderland)......hows that? from early fantasy to modern!
*Below is a site that lists, well, maybe hundreds!
2006-12-12 03:46:28 · answer #2 · answered by aidan402 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Tolkien/The Lord of the Rings; Pullman/His Dark Materials; Peake/Gormenghast Trilogy; Pratchett/DiscWorld; Beagle/The Last Unicorn; Jordan/Wheel of Time;
I would also include Beowulf and Gilgemesh
2006-12-12 02:13:07 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
For myself some present day authors that look somewhat over-rated are Steven King, James Patterson, Dean Koontz, Nicholas Sparks, Anne Rice, Daniele Steele, and Margaret Atwood. some classic writers that are way too over-rated are Ernest Hemingway, John Steinbeck, and Charles Dickens.
2016-10-18 04:02:04 · answer #4 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Harry Potter
2006-12-12 01:11:38 · answer #5 · answered by black_cat 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Harry Potter
2006-12-12 01:07:46 · answer #6 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Wow. You're going to get a lot of different answers on this one, but I'll throw my two cents in, and say Lord Of The Rings is probably one of the most important. I'm sure people will have others, as its all open to interpretation.
2006-12-12 01:08:40 · answer #7 · answered by Tinalera 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Lord Dunsany's "King of Elfland's Daughter".
(1924)
The Granddaddy of modern Fantasy, but presumably you already know that.
Also lots of works by Jack Vance. Dying Earth, etc.
2006-12-12 04:10:59 · answer #8 · answered by H_A_V_0_C 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ooooo what school and can I come?
As you noted Tolkein is an obvious jumping off point, but don't neglect things like the Arthurian legends. I'd say Mists of Avalone would be a good choice.
2006-12-12 01:17:24 · answer #9 · answered by tabithap 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Terry Brooks and his Shannara series were very influential in the 70s, 80s, and 90s. He is still writing them but the newer ones are no where near as great as his earlier books.
2006-12-12 01:19:33 · answer #10 · answered by mjtpopus 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋