[Bardos]

(I was inspired to start this topic by something Sojourn said in the "Why you read fantasy" topic.)

Would you like a novel where an interesting fantasy world is described, whithout any important characters' stories? Only description, history, minor or major events, some characters you're not attached to them, etc.

Just... traveling in strange lands!

Well?

[Cardo]

Yes it could be quite interesting from a worldbuilders point of view. So i would love such a book if it would be well written and would describe some new ideas. And the history of a new world is always interesting, at least in the beginning.

[matthewajg]

Oh, gods, no!

Bardos wrote:
Would you like a novel where an interesting fantasy world is described, whithout any important characters' stories? Only description, history, minor or major events, some characters you're not attached to them, etc.

Just... traveling in strange lands!

Who's doing the travelling if there are no characters? If it's the reader, is it written in the second person? World-building is all fine and good, but only as a backdrop for a STORY! Novels are compelling to readers because of the characters who live in these fantastical worlds. Through the eyes of the characters, we see the world the author has created, the characters give a point of view through which the world and the story is revealed to us. Your characters need not be conventional, they could all be sentient furniture, but if the story is not told through any point of view, it will read like a text book, not a novel.

As an experiment, it could be very interesting to write a first person travelogue detailing fantastical worlds...or something like the SIMILLARION, Robert Jordan's WHEEL OF TIME compendium, and the recently releases Terry Brooks SHANNARA companion. Once a book series has been established, readers often crave supplementary material detailing simply the book's settings, history, etc. But in general, I think that most readers of modern fantasy want strong character's stories as the core of any fantasy novel. The world they walk through should be fascinating, but a wonderous land alone is not enough to satisfy most fantasy fans. Once you've got a hit series, then they may want a book all about the world itself.

[Cadfael]

A travel guide... for a fantasy land?

When visiting Elftown, a visit to the 'Jolly Splodger is most recommended... with good food and fine wine. The is always a fine crowd of cut-throats and goblins to entertain the crowd. However, patrons must leave all magic staffs and weapons at the door... http://www.sffworld.com/ubb/smile.gif

Seriously... it is an intresting notion.

[This message has been edited by dennizm (edited November 19, 2001).]

[jbcohen]

I guess I tend to prefer books that go into detail about all of the major events that took place in the world. Dragon Lance tends to talk of everything that ever happened in the world and all of the species. While this is a bit overkill I tend a bit more in that direction.

[allanon]

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!

The text going of the page was doing my head in!!! DennizM

[This message has been edited by dennizm (edited November 28, 2001).]

[Sammie]

....a novel where an interesting fantasy world is described, whithout any important characters' stories? Only description, history, minor or major events, some characters you're not attached to them, etc.

To a certain extent i thought Asimov's 'Foundation' was bit like this.

[Bardos]

Allanon> Your denial streaches the topic! http://www.sffworld.com/ubb/biggrin.gif http://www.sffworld.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

[Dragon Reborn]

Something like "The Rivan Codex" by Eddings? Not that I'm a big fan of Eddings, or anything!! http://www.sffworld.com/ubb/smile.gif

[This message has been edited by Dragon Reborn (edited November 21, 2001).]

[Shehzad]

As matthewajg said: its been done, with established worlds. For example, amongst the TSR books on Forgotten Realms are a series of Marco Volo's Guides to the Realms which are basically travelogues. I can't say from personal experience how close they are to Bardos' proposition, having never read them.