Why choose fantasy?

Fantasy releases the imagination

 When one is trying to decide on a genre to read, they are overwhelmed by the vast number of choices. Some are predictable, such as any romance, and some throw curve balls where you least expect them, like mystery and dystopian. There are genres that are celebrated, as in the case of classics and poetry, and others that are looked down upon. One such genre is fantasy. There is no other genre that is as condemned by the literature elite as fantasy. For decades, it has been categorized as inconsequential literature, not to be taken seriously. It can be classified as the “genre of the impossible”, introducing ideas that are foreign to us today, even if they were well known in our history. This is part of what makes it so appealing to us, and why it has seen a rise in popularity in recent years. There have been numerous essays and papers written on why fantasy is so appealing to readers, and to young readers in particular. One of my favorite authors has stated many reasons why he believes young people choose fantasy so often. For girls, it is not always the longing to see a brave knight rescuing a damsel in distress. Rather, they want to see a heroine who is willing to come to her knight’s aid if he falls in battle. This heroine is often the girl they see within themselves, who they want to be. For the boys, it is a little more complicated. It is hardwired in them to be heroes, to be warriors that will protect those who cannot protect themselves. Reading fantasy inspires them to greatness and gives them heroes to look up to as an example. They want to be the heroes that they see in the mirror. Boys and girls, especially young children, want to see love portrayed in its purest form, as many are not shown that emotion at home. There is a lack of chivalry and nobility in our world today, and fantasy fills that gap for many. In fact, some of the best fantasy works that I have read involve a pure romance, battles between good evil, and warriors rescuing those who can’t help themselves. Not only is fantasy attractive to children and teens, it is also a favorite among adults. Like the younger generations, adults want to see the good that has been forgotten and seems to be nonexistent. In addition, it is almost always written to deal with issues that are looming at the time in which the book is written. For example, T. H. White’s The Once and Future King was written in the years preceding the Second World War. The author stated that the overall theme of his book was to explore alternatives to war.

Fantasy offers an escape from everyday life and the harsh realities of our own worlds, and places us in the middle of a new, completely different realm. In this new world, the author can choose to use places in our own history that we seem to have forgotten or take us to new lands  that can only be seen in our imaginations, in times that we do not know or have yet to know. We find unusual creatures, some based on the familiar, while there are others that our minds have never even imagined in any form. Among these creatures, there are wizards and elves, dwarves and fairies, and dragons and shape shifters. Within these different species there are those who possess magic, while the majority does not and are at the mercy of the powerful. Sometimes, the whole world has a sense of magic about it. Even though this genre has only been widely popular for a few decades, it has actually been in existence for centuries, with its roots in ancient mythology. In fact, many fears and stories within works of fantasy are based on old European superstitions. Some of the first pieces of fantastical literature include the Epic of Gilgamesh and Homer’s Odyssey. Obviously, our perception of what could be included in fantasy has changed over the past few centuries. Now, we see works like Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, C. S. Lewis’ The Chronicles of Narnia, and the many works of Roald Dahl. One of the best known authors in the world of fantasy is J. R. R. Tolkien. He set the tone for modern fantasy in his famous work The Lord of the Rings. Many other authors have followed in his footsteps, creating other worlds and complex story lines.

I have read three out of the many books within this genre to explore the differences within this genre and to compare them to one another. My titles of choice were Inkdeath, the conclusion to the magical Inkspell trilogy, Stardust, the novel inspiration for the movie of the same name, and The Hobbit, which requires no explanation. Out of these three Inkdeath and Stardust are most alike, while The Hobbit stands by itself. In Inkdeath and Stardust, the greatest similarity is the relative ease of traveling between worlds. Granted the modes of travel are different, and one is more difficult than the other, but they are generally the same. All three books are similar in the variety of species that inhabit their pages. Each book has its own unique population, that’s for sure, but all three have only a few characters that possess some sort of magic while the remaining characters lack this gift. Inkdeath differs from the other two books by not having a quest as the main storyline. While its characters have a definite goal that they hope to accomplish, they do not have to travel great distances in order to do so; they simply must try to outsmart their adversaries. In both The Hobbit and Stardust, the main characters take a journey in order to complete a quest, whether that quest be helping to reclaim a mountain or bringing back a star. The prose used to write these two books is also remarkably different from Inkdeath. The first two use an older, more formal style of text, which is reminiscent of late 19^th century and early 20^th century writings, while the latter has a modern, more casual style. Depending on your personal preference, that can be an attractant or a deterrent. Since fantasy has such a wide range of characteristics and sub-genres, it is difficult to read two books back to back within this genre that are as similar as these are to each other. Of the three, I would most recommend The Hobbit. Not only is this book a classic, it takes readers on an incomparable journey. Simply put, it teaches readers priceless lessons, and can be read by a child or adult, making it the ideal choice for anyone wanting to venture into a fantastical world.

All these reasons, and more, are why I choose to read fantasy more than any other genre. Yes, I enjoy a good old fashioned historical romance or a mystery, but put a fantasy novel in my hands and you have made me a happy girl! I would love to hear your thoughts on this genre. Any other reasons why fantasy is a great genre to read? Or, if you don't prefer it, what are the cons to reading fantasy? Let me know in the comments!

Happy reading!

A Few of My Favorite Non-Classic Classics

Now that I’ve told you a little about myself and why I love reading, let me tell you about some of my favorite stories. These books are a few titles that I think should be labeled as classics. Probably the main reason I think these should be on the same shelf as Dickens, Poe, and Austen, is their stories are timeless. Many books that you read can have relevance for only so long before fading into obscurity. There is only a select few books that stay with you throughout your life. For me, these titles are among the many that I will keep on my bookshelf for years to come. So, without further ado, allow me to introduce you to some of my favorite non-classic classics.

1.  The Storyteller’s Daughter

This book is one of the most recent additions to my bookshelf outside of my normal fandom. I consider it to be what I call a gateway classic. What I mean by this, is it is a retelling of a well-known, well-loved, and often interpreted classic masterpiece, which sparked my interest in the original story. Just to keep you on your toes and keep the suspense up, I’ll wait till the end to tell you what the original title is, although I’m sure once I start explaining the story you’ll recognize it. ;-)

The story is about Shahrazad, a young woman who has a very interesting heritage. Her father is the vizier to the king, and her mother was Maju, the daughter of a fierce and proud people and also a great storyteller called a drabardi. Shahrazad’s mother died when she was very young. At her passing, the young girl inherited her mother’s gift of storytelling, but at the price of her sight. Years passed and the young girl grew into a young woman. This story is not only about Shahrazad, it is about the king as well. Not long before our story takes place, Shahrayar, which is the name of the king, had an unfortunate event befall him, leaving him without a queen. His heart was so grieved that he vowed to take a bride at every full moon and kill her the morning after their wedding night until he found true love. This is where our story really begins. Shahrazad offers herself as the first young lady to be the king’s unfortunate bride. However, she has a trick up her sleeve. The time comes for her to be presented to the king as his bride, and he takes her as his. Once they are alone, the storyteller’s daughter begins the greatest, most important story of her life, enticing a promise from the king that he will not kill her until her story is complete. She tells her tale in such a way that it cannot be completed within one night, thus saving her life. Every night she picks up her tale where she left off the previous morning. Soon, the people begin to suspect and treachery is unleashed within the palace. Shahrayar and Shahrazad, who by this time have grown to love one another, are separated. Soon, the storyteller is called forth to be tested beyond her physical ability.

I know that seems an abrupt place to leave the description, but if I were to go any further, I would give away the ending. Knowing how much many book lovers abhor spoilers I will refrain from ruining the book. If you really want to know what happens, well you’ll have to read it yourself. And, in case you haven’t already guessed, this book is a retelling of the classic One Hundred and One Nights. As I stated before, it is the perfect gateway classic to entice readers to explore the pages of the classic masterpiece.

2. The Little White Horse

I really don’t know where to begin for this book. It’s got everything you want in a classic fairy tale. It has suspense, hints of magic, new friends, fulfilled prophecies, and, best of all, romance. It has just enough whimsy to carry you away to a new world within our world for a little while, but still keeping enough reality within its pages to keep you grounded. There is not much that I can say about the story without giving too much away.

When young Maria Merryweather arrives at Moonacre Manor, she has no idea that her life is about to change. Whether for the better or the worst, you’ll have to read and see for yourself. When she finds out from her uncle, Sir Benjamin, that her family has been the subject of a prophecy, she sets out to do what she can to fulfill it and bring peace to all involved. Along the way, she meets new friends in the local village, including an interesting cat named Zechariah. Among these acquaintances, she finds an old friend named Robin. She even helps to settle a generations old dispute. Throughout her adventures, she learns some important lesson. While there are many teachable moments within this story, the most important one is when she learns to set aside her own interests in order to help others achieve their desires.

This book is one for the young and old alike. The story is timeless and never loses its character. Along with Maria, the reader learns a few lessons along the way. We learn to have the willingness to follow your heart, take a stand for what you know is right, have the courage to face your fears, and above all to be willing to set aside your ambitions to help someone else achieve theirs.

3. Room in the Heart

This story opens in pre-World War II Denmark. I find this particular story to be unique out of all the World War II books I have enjoyed. It follows two main characters, telling the story from their points of view, as well as three supporting characters who are no less important. Our two protagonists are Julie, a Jewish teenaged girl, and Niels, her best friend’s brother and a loyal patriot. As we make our way through the book, we follow both teens in their struggle to make sense of the new Nazi regime and what it means for their country, their families, and them individually. Amid all the chaos and confusion, a romance begins to blossom between these two, although neither is brave enough to admit it. Then, to everyone’s shock, comes the fateful order for the roundup of Jews. It is now that friendships are tested, loyal Danes are called upon to help their friends and neighbors escape the nightmare that is a concentration camp. Julie and Niels find themselves racing against the clock and the law in order to keep their loved ones safe.

Yes, I know there are hundreds, if not thousands of books out there set within the Holocaust. Most of these are on many school reading lists, from The Diary of Anne Frank to The Devil’s Arithmetic to The Hiding Place. This subject seems to have been exhausted. Yet we still read these stories of love, nightmares, betrayal, hope, despair, and discovery. This story stands out to me in a way that others do not, for a reason not even I can say. Maybe it is the romance, it could be as simple as the perspectives given. Whatever the reason, this book should be considered a classic or at least on school reading lists.

These are just a few of my favorite books that I believe are worthy of the “classic” categorization. You may or may not agree with this list, and that’s okay. In either case, I hope I have added a few more titles to your “To Read” list. I would love to hear what you think. Feel free to leave your own list of books you think should be considered classics in the comments below! :-)

Happy reading!

Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Tumnus.

Okay, my name isn’t Tumnus, but I couldn’t help myself. My name is Catherine. I am a self-proclaimed book nerd, which is why I decided to embark on this journey called a blog. Before I begin telling you about books and how much I love them, let me tell you a little bit about why I love to read.

My mother taught me how to read at the ripe young age of four years old. Once she showed me that words can tell a story, I was hooked. I have had a book in my hand ever since. The books that have carried me through so many seasons of life have ranged from Nancy Drew to Narnia to Eragon, and practically everything in between. Over the years I have been transported to many new worlds and have met many new friends. Many would classify me as a Class A introvert, but I tend to think of myself as an international, interdimensional time traveler.

Through these magical portals I have visited Terabithia, Narnia, Alagaesia, and so many other new and exciting worlds. Within these worlds, I have learned so many lessons. While in Narnia I learned to believe in what seems impossible, in the unseen; have the courage to find the queen within me; and friendships are found in unexpected places. Terabithia taught me that it is okay to use your imagination and to be unique. Nancy showed me that giving up is never an option. These lessons and more have been ingrained in me because of my love for reading.

While I have read many books that are considered classics, such as The Hobbit, Treasure Island, and Sherlock Holmes, I have enjoyed still more that should be considered classics. These titles include The Little White Horse, The Storyteller’s Daughter, and Room in the Heart, just to name a few. My mother didn’t place a high priority on me reading the greats of literature. She believes, and I share this belief, that a child who reads books that they choose, and are not chosen for them, will have a greater love for reading than a child whose books are chosen for them. So instead of assigning books for me to wade through, she simply suggested titles that she loves and took me to the library to choose for myself what my reading material should be.

I could go on and on about why I love reading and why I think everyone should read. I don’t want to bore you too much, so I won’t keep going. In future posts I hope to share more with you about my love for literature, suggest new titles and why I think they should be read by everyone, and my general opinion about books.

Happy Reading!