[Zaku]

What is the difference between the new readers and the hardened readers in the fantasy genre.

To E-morgana's earlier comment, is the preference in reading fantasy really a process of maturing or is it merely a matter of taste? if it is process, then what is it about eddings's writing that tends to be more appealing to newbiews than to hardened readers? keep in mind, I am only using eddings as an example. any comments?

[Loki]

Eddings,Feist and Tolkien are probably the three main authors that introduce people into the world of fantasy. IMHO People who have read alot get bored because their books are so classic and unoriginal(other then tolkiens, he rules) that when they see something original like a book by Martin, Douglass( many others but those are my fave) they prefer them

[This message has been edited by Loki (edited July 16, 2001).]

[FitzChivalry]

The explanation is simple, after you read a certain number of books, the usual plotline of "hero finds a magic sword, hero discovers he is the chosen one, hero saves princess, hero saves world by killing the bad guy" gets boring and you start looking for something with more plot twists and unexpected events.
The beginner fantasy reader will like it because he hasn't read it before, and the whole settings of magic swords, knights and dragons is enough to keep him/her interested.

Btw Loki, i find Tolkien and Eddings the two boring ones, not Feist.

[wastra]

Gotta agree with fitz (except the 'Tolkien being boring' comment- Bad Fitz, Bad Fitz! http://www.sffworld.com/ubb/wink.gif

[Xayn]

It's a matter of luck.
There's so much crap out there, it's amazing.
If all you (not knowing anything about Fantasy yet) accidentaly happen to pick up is trash, chances are you'll never come to like it enough to hang around long enough to descover the good stuff.

[Ntschotschi]

I think reading Fantasy has something to do with being a fan.
IMO readers of Fantasy are more connected with their "genre" than other kind of readers.
So will still read an average or even quite poorly written fantasy book whereas I would never read the same kind of quality of other kinds of fiction.
Even if a fantasy book is average or worse I can still appreciate the formulas of the genre. I won't be engrossed by the book but will read it with some kind of a collector's interest.
Maybe in the same way as you can develop a taste for trash movies.

[Mirror]

I have to disagree with Ntschotschi.

I can't stand poor or average written literature of any genre. I have a very low tolerance for lack of creativity and talent.

Stories have to be interesting, but I believe that's totally a matter of opinion and taste. If I really like the characters I'll generally like the story. On the other hand, if the story is too bland I'll lose interest.

I also don't think it matters how old you are to whether or not you enjoy a book. I've always had about the same taste and have always appreciated a well written story no matter what style.

[This message has been edited by Mirror (edited July 17, 2001).]

[hclark]

I started off on Piers Anthony's Xanth books, then progressed to Brooks, Feist, Eddings, etc. I am fairly new to fantasy. I've read it for a few years, but at a very slow pace due to my hectic life.

I think that one reason that we new people enjoy the particular authors that some of you now loathe is that they are easy to read. No ten page diatribes of one characters thoughts or intimidating books that are thousands of pages in length. There are no details about medieval weapons we may not know, but a plot that we can relate to. They may be classic and unoriginal, but the characters are interesting. Yes, we probably haven't encountered the same plot lines on numerous other occassions - whoever mentioned that was probably correct - but I think that just as you, we can enjoy any fantasy book that is written well, whether or not we are new readers and have seen the plot before.

I must mention since you're talking about new readers, as a newcomer its hard to continue to be excited about fantasy when you come to message boards or sites about the genre that continually trash the kind of books that you are reading. I realize that there are probably greater works out there, and perhaps my taste will mature with time, but in the meantime, I am enjoying the books I am reading.

For instance, I am currently reading Eddings. I like his work. If I looked for information on him here, I'd find a wealth of information that trashes his work. I fear that some poor person that has just been introduced to the genre will drop it all together once they read some of the nasty comments seen around here when authors and their works are picked to pieces. One persons idea of crap is another's favorite book.

[This message has been edited by hclark (edited July 17, 2001).]

[This message has been edited by hclark (edited July 17, 2001).]

[FitzChivalry]

Heh, well this board isn't here to promote all the fantasy genre, this board is here for people to talk about what they like and also about what they don't like.
As it happen to be, on this boards there are many veteran fantasy readers with lots of fantasy reading experience, so they have very founded opinions about good fantasy and bad fantasy. I find it a refreshing change from places where everyone likes everything because it has a magic sword in it.

[hclark]

Can you point me to one of those places, please? All I have found on this board so far are your so called veteran fantasy readers that think their favorite author is GOD and that those who read inferior books must step up to their level. I realize everyone's right to dislike an author and to discuss it in any way they choose, but it seems to be done in such a way as to trounce on others in the meantime. Everything seems to be negative. What do you hate about these books? What didn't you like about this author? I think I've had enough negativity and would appreciate it if you kindly point me towards a forum that discusses the kinds of books you hate - the kind with magic swords. I think I'll like it there...