[Lani]

I was reading the article mentioned in a post not long ago. It was by David Farland explaining why people read fiction. Most of his explanations sound quite plausible, such as that good fiction takes away some stress. However, there are many genres that would do the same for you: historical novels, sci-fi, mystery, and just plain fiction. Well, my question is why all of us are fans of fantasy rather than the rest of the genres? I do realize that probably many people on this board enjoy reading other books as well; yet, I wonder what makes all of us eventually return to fantasy books.

[ezchaos]

Fantasy is my favorite genre for a few reasons. First, I think it brings me back to my childhood. I remember being in my early teens and reading great epic fantasy stories on dark, stormy days next to the fire.

Also, I love history--the older the better. Many fantasy stories draw from our own history. Now I'll be the first to admit that some history can be dry and boring. But, when you add in magic, dragons, etc it makes things much more interesting and exciting.

Lastly, fantasy is just that-fantasy, not just plain old 'fiction'. I've tried reading other genres and they just don't appeal to me the way fantasy (& scifi) do. I do force myself to read at least one or two non-fantasy books a year, but I always find myself drawn right back to fantasy.

[robbiez666]

to escape mundane reality

[Cadfael]

also...

Why the HELL not!!

Readers of fantasy are not people with their heads in the clouds, I have found by visiting forums and such... that the average reader of fantasy is very intelligent, pragmatic and a realist... and I am finding have very often seen the ugly face of this world. <---sweeping generalisation there. http://www.sffworld.com/ubb/smile.gif

... sometimes we just need to chill out! http://www.sffworld.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

[Qin]

Why? Because Annie Proulx is an atrocious writer. And we have Guy Gavriel Kay, which proves there is justice in the universe.

[allanon]

Because I need faeries and magic - and antasy is the only genre, which can give them to me.

[Elan Morin Tedronai]

Agree with allanon! Because I need to escape from that ****ing world which is surrounding me!

[alcatraz]

Sometimes you just gotta kill something...

And having a good author illustrate just enough of the event in your mind, but not too much to prevent your minds elaboration on it, is the next best thing.

I think everyone feels that need every now and then, and I hope that people, when faced with that need, will read some fantasy instead of actually going out and blowing a large building up.

Fantasy not enough for you? Go kill something on your computer. That not enough for you? Join the army.

If, however, you read fantasy purely for the value of escaping the world, like I usually do, please referr to all the previous, and possibly sane, replies.

BOOM!
-Alcatraz

[Crysania]

Lots of people answered your query here...
http://www.sffworld.com/ubb/Forum1/HTML/000255.html

Mine went as follows...

"I think I love fantasy so much and always have because I find myself BORED most of the time. I'm just waiting for something out of the ordinary to occur. Something exhilarating, something noble, something worth sacrifices. My life is normally full of drama, but it's not exactly the kind I have in mind. It's more like General Hospital meets Frasier crap."

For instance, once in Germany my friends and I got stranded at a deserted castle on top of a huge hill and little daylight left in order to get down. They were all complaining and freaking. I picked up my walking stick and was in utter heaven.

Personally, I think there's a danger in liking fantasy too much.

Another example. I was at a pub the other night (yes, we have them in Texas) and this guy walks in. And I'd just finished reading the Coldfire Trilogy and this guy just SCREAMED Gerald Tarrant. I likely fell out of my chair. And I'm at this pub twice a week and normally only attracted to maybe one out of 800 guys who walk in and out. This guy blew me away and I was going to lose my mind. I'm way to gunshy to go up to him and he didn't come up to me and that was that. I let him get away. But the moral of the story is, if I wasn't so caught up in these 'fantastic' realms, I probably could've approached him and had a normal conversation.

There is a danger in beauty... who said that? Tolkien? Ah, yes...



[This message has been edited by Crysania (edited March 12, 2002).]

[Cygnus]

Crysania.. nice to know there is a fellow Texan on the board with me! Now I must get the name of that pub.. a dead ringer for Gerald Tarrant is just too good to be true!! http://www.sffworld.com/ubb/smile.gif

I find that some of the best character interaction is in fantasy novels. I really get into their lives/loves/friendships/enemies because they are written so well. This is probably a generalization since I'm sure there is fiction that does this as well, but I have yet to find it. I guess I feel I'm in the story more than just reading it when I pick up a fantasy novel.