[Lani]

I was reading the other thread about sex in aSoIaF and it made me think. Even though a whole lot of people posted examples of fantasy books that have sexual scenes, somehow fantasy mostly strikes me as a genre that doesn't include that much sex. I would say that it's more likely to encounter sex-related themes in any other adult genre than fantasy. Maybe that is so because many of the fantasy books are actually not only written for adults, but for younger people too. Do you think I'm right?

[karljah]

The closest I have come to "sex-in fantasy" is the Piers Anthony, Magic of Xanth novels. Unless you want to count the rape scenes in Donaldson's "Thomas Covenant, The Unbeleiver" series. The only other thing I've come across, is a Robert L. Asprin article, that said don't put a menstuating woman on a stallion, b/c it will try to "ride" her, but that is just fact, not fiction (according to him).

[dendol]

Right now im reading The Demon King by Chris Bunch and there is soooo much sex its not funny. The detail is graphic as well.. there are threesomes and 'backend' action too for those that are interested.. sort of like a porno book, with some military fantasy weaved around it... hehe, ok maybe not that bad, but those that have read it will testify its definately not for the younger readers..

[James Barclay]

As with violence and 'bad' language, sex has its place in every genre but it has to be relevant to the story. If it isn't, it's gratuitous and readers have to make their own minds up what is and isn't acceptable to them.

I think there's plenty of 'sex' in fantasy but, for the most part, it's handled sensitvely enough not to provoke comment. And that, if you see what I mean, is a comment in itself.

[Penumbra]

There is definitely sex in fantasy and the comments thus far seem apropos. In looking back at Tolkien, however, I must admit it certainly seems to me that the author paid particular attention not to mention it at all, except in Middle Ages/Middle Earth terms where relationships were only hinted at, never explored. Undoubtedly the author was thinking of younger readers, but I don't know it for a fact.

[Gamlemshagen]

I think I read somewhere that tolkien when he was growing up and in his sosial life was surrounded by only men, and this is reflected in his litterature where women are all unreachable godesses.

[mundanemies]

The only other thing I've come across, is a Robert L. Asprin article, that said don't put a menstuating woman on a stallion, b/c it will try to "ride" her, but that is just fact, not fiction (according to him).


Nope. Nay. Non-fact. Wouldn't happen.
We have several horses back home, including really potent stallions there, who have no interest what-so-ever with women with periods.

As to sex in fantasy. I can't really say that in Fantasy there's less sex than in any other genre. It's theme and an added spice that's a normal part of human existance and therefore writer's write sex-scenes into books. (Sorry about not really saying anything here http://www.sffworld.com/ubb/smile.gif)

[JohnH]

I wonder how much of the lack of fantasy has to do with the author, the editor or the publisher.

The demographics also do tend to place fantasy as a fringe young adult genre regardless of the content. That is changing certainly, but fantasy is still seen as wizards, dwarves dragons and elves with pointy ears.

And let's face it. Tolkien is one of the foundations of fantasy. His writing became a huge success in a time when sexual express was entering its 'free and open' stage. And yet Tolkien wrote from a society that seems repressed by our standards. And his style worked. So few were going to mess with a good thing.

Goodkind, Martin, Carey, Pinto, and Bishop all deal with sex in an open and/or explicit manner. Goodkind I won't go into. Martin treats sex as a weapon or a sin or a burden for the most part. Which is somewhat true in the society and culture he has created. But he sometimes falls prey to the 'Look SEX!' syndrome that Goodkind revels in. Bishop seems to just revel in writing out her own fantasies. Carey and Pinto both do a marvelous job of incorproating sexual themes in their stories.

I would imagine that as fantasy broadens and society becomes a bit more jaded, sex willbe a bit more prevalent.

[Cadfael]

JohnH... I have to ask.

Why do you say 'Goodkind I won't go into'?

My opinion is... that of all the authors to use sex in fantasy, his is not gratutious... it is an integral part of the tale. Either as a weapon, or as a means to make a point.

I agree that he is explicit.

Jordan and sex... has Rand lost his virginity yet? http://www.sffworld.com/ubb/smile.gif

[JohnH]

Goodkind's use of sex is no more gratuitous than blowing up as many things as possible is in a Bruckheimer film. At least in my opinion. Goodkind always seemed to force sex into the plot and it came off as rather immature writing. Rather clumsy and heavy handed. More like something that Fabio would grace the cover of in some places. That and the fact that sexual deviance ran rampant in his villains. Perhaps he has changed; I stopped reading several books ago. Certainly I do not agree with your perception of Goodkind's writing. Sex or otherwise. Goodkind makes sex integral is definately something I do not agree with.

As for Rand? He has lost his virginity and taken the virginity of two others just for good measure.