The topic of this week’s “Booking Through Thursday” is fantasy and in answer to the first question, “Do you like to read fantasy?,” my answer is a resounding YES!
I wouldn’t go so far as to say I exclusively read fantasy, but probably at least 60% of what I read can be placed in the fantasy genre. Of course, for me fantasy is a very broad genre. It includes “classic” types of fantasy, but I tend to lump science fiction and most “horror” into the fantasy genre as well. For example, I consider Anne Rice, Stephen King, and J.K. Rowling to be fantasy authors.
The second question is: “What’s your favorite thing about reading fantasy?” I would have to say the best thing about reading fantasy is that I am transported to another world. It seems like an easy answer, but I know people who don’t like to read fiction for this very reason. Reading is the hobby that I have had the longest and is something that I do for entertainment. Therefore, when I read I like to escape from this world and go to another. I accomplish this by reading genres such as fantasy and historical fiction.
Question number three is: “Do you prefer regular people placed in alternate realities, like the Thomas Covenant stories and the Amber books, or do you prefer the whole world to come from the author’s imagination? Or something else?” Actually, I prefer fantastical characters to fantastical settings. I am not too particular about where these characters are placed, as long as it fits the story. For example, I just finished reading Beauty by Sheri S. Tepper, a book based on the Sleeping Beauty fairy tale where Beauty is half fairy, half mortal and is transported back and forth not only between the “real” and “fairy” worlds, but also between centuries. This could have been awkward, but given the underlying message of the book it was necessary and Tepper did a good job of seamlessly moving Beauty from one world to another and from one century to another.
And lastly, “Do you have a favorite author or theme that you go back to again and again?” I am a big fan of book series and so when I come across a new series I not only make sure I read all of the books in the series, but in order. In addition to that, Anne Rice is definitely my favorite author and not only do I read her old books over and over again; I also read the new ones as they come out. I can’t say that I really have a favorite theme though. I just pick up whatever trips my trigger: usually it is some type of fantasy or historical fiction and the protagonist is female, but not always.
kenju says:
Interesting post. I will think about it and post my own soon. I have not read any fantasy lately, except for the newest Rowling book, which I loved. I used to read Heinlein (in college) and liked that also, as well as the Chronicles of Narnia, and the like. I prefer normal people placed in fantasy settings (I think).
12 August 2005 at 22:52
Cathy says:
Have you read Stephen King’s Eyes of the Dragon? I’m a fan of King anyway, but that one is way more fantasy than horror. It’s one I’ve read over and over.
13 August 2005 at 03:28
Cheryl says:
Have you read the Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon? Great historical fiction/romance/fantasy series involving time travel. There are five books, and the sixth is due out in Sept. I highly recommend them.
15 August 2005 at 19:26
Renée says:
Cathy,
Yes I have read King’s Eye of the Dragon. Very good! Probably one of my favorites.
Cheryl,
I have read the first four in Gabaldon’s Outlander series. I really liked the first three but didn’t care so much for the 4th one so I never got around to the fifth… maybe it is time to revisit them!
Renée
15 August 2005 at 19:35
Malnurtured Snay says:
Renee,
I’ve never been a big fan of fantasy, but there are a few books that I’ve really enjoyed —
Lords of the Sky by Angus Wells
&
The Fareer Trilogy (Assassin’s Apprentice/Royal Assassin/Assassin’s Quest) by Robin Hobb
20 August 2005 at 01:47