[Azurehero]

Let's exclude the obvious, so keep the Tolken chants to yourself.

I would have to say "classic" fantasy tittles are:

~The Sword of Shannara by Terry Brooks (1977)
~Pawn of Prophecy by David (and Leigh) Eddings, (1982)
~The Sleeping Dragon by Joel Rosenberg (1983)
~Magician: Apprentice by Raymond E. Feist (1986) [I would really like to see Feist make a new world.]

What about all of you? What are your Classic Fantasy books?

[Rob B]

If you are going by the classic rule for cars (15 years), then here are some:

Stephen R. Donaldson's Chronicles of Thomas Covenant, The Unbeilever

I may catch some heat for this one but--Weis/Hickman's DragonLance Chronilces many readers were introduced to the fantasy genre by this series.

Gene Wolfe's Book of the New Sun

McCaffrey Dragonflight/PERN

Terry Pratchett Discworld

That is all I can think of for now, at least that I have read.

[wastra]

I guess I'm a little unsure what I consider to be classic fantasy...

If it's quality of writing, which I don't believe it is, then there are quite a few POPULAR writers who I would leave off the list. But since I agree that there are many classic books that I don't believe are well written (Moby Dick, for example)...

tolkien, of course.

Donaldson- Thomas Covenant series

I think it's safe to say WoT has become an instant classic even though it isn't finished.

Sword of Shanarra- I've said it before, the FIRST time he wrote this book, it was pretty good...but hte next 5+ times he re-wrote it (i.e. every other shannarra novel...)

As much as it pains me to admit, I have to agree that Dragonlance is probably a fantasy classic. I know quite a few peopel introduced to the genre through it who hold a fond place in their hearts for this fluff-series...

David Eddings probably has a sopt in there too.

And worst of all...Goodkind. I hate, I mean HATE Sword of Truth, but i have to admit that this (terrible) series a favorite of quite a few readers.

[Flashman]

Lloyd Alexander - Prydain Chronicles, Westmark

Katherine Kurtz - Camber Trilogy

Peter S. Beagle - Last Unicorn

Robert Silverberg - Lord Valentine's Castle

Burroughs - John Carter of Mars books

Moorcock - Elric

Gormenghast Trilogy

Neil Hancock - Circle of Light series

[Lani]

Well...
I couunt as it any book of the following authors:

Roger Zelazny (Especially Amber series)

Ursula Le Guin

Moorcock

David Eddings (well, not everything...)

Andre Norton (she has fantasy books too)

I can't think of anybody else. Only sci-fi writers come to my head.

[Eventine]

When I think classic I think old. Who has been around and will stay around?
Really old stuff like Tolkien, LeGuinn and whoever wrote Conan will always be around as part of fantasy literature.
As far as more modern authors go, I think in 50 years time people will still be talking about (if not reading) Brooks, Donaldson and Fiest. I think Jordan and Eddings are up their with a chance to become classics, but are borderline currently.
To become a classic you have to have a lot of people not only recognise your work, but think it's reasonably good as well. This is why Goodkind won't become a classic - his books are way too argued over.

So there we have it - authors I think are classics and my predictions for future classics.

[FitzChivalry]

I have no idea what do you mean by classic...
But i'm sure this series is classic by any defnition: The Hed Trilogy by Patricia MacKillip.

[Azurehero]

I am in complete agreement with all of you who listed the Dragan Lance chronicles. I assume everyone ment the first three books. But I think the Twins series that followed even better. I was very impressed.

I was using the term "classic" in a broad sense of the word. But I suppose time has something to do with it.

The Sword of Shannara: Classic.

Jerle Shannara: Great book, but not a classic.

[Sojourn]

Hmmm, a look in my Australian Pocket Oxford Dictionary (4th edition) tells me that 'classic' is defined as: "first class; of lasting value and importance". Guess that includes many of the posters' suggestions. ^_^

I won't repeat author names here, but no one's mentioned Jack Vance's 'Tales of The Dying Earth' series or Fritz Leiber's 'Swords' series. The 'Dying Earth' series was collected and republished under the 'Fantasy Masterworks' collection, so I assume that justifies it as a classic. As for Leiber, his 'Swords' books were popular during their time and Raymond Feist himself credits Leiber as 'the spiritual father' of modern fantasy writers.

I guess any author whose books have been collected into omnibuses and republished under a collection time and time again can be considered as classic authors, since their work stands the test of time, thus having 'lasting value and importance'.

IMHO... ^_^

[Pluvious]

Tolkein was the first tor really introduce fantasy into the minds of the masses.

Robert E. Howard's Conan works were also largely responsible for establishing the sword and sorcery genre.

Terry Brooks and sword of shannara was the first fantasy to be a bestseller I believe.

Since then the authors who might be one day considered "classic" could include Robert Jordan, Donaldson, George Martin, and possibly a couple of others.