embarrassed to admit liking fantasy?

Haha...the same goes for romance. Very awkward when you're walking through a bookstore and your boyfriend caustically comments on -- admittedly -- a pretty outrageous cover and the romance genre in general. Even more awkward when you have the same book on your shelves at home (sadly tucked away into the darker corners of the bookcase).

 

Saying that I read fantasy and science fiction actually works for me, since I have gray hair and probably look like the kind of woman who favors gentle books set in country villages or mysteries featuring recipes. It makes me seem slightly cool. I'm hoping.

In defending fantasy in general, I once made the point that most indulge in it but many call it romance or journalism concerning the private lives of celebrities. That hit a nerve, actually. There are many definitions of fantasy.

A young woman I work with said she wanted to investigate the field this summer and asked for my guidance. It felt nice.

 

I do not know why the question is being asked at all. It is general knowledge that the Harry Potter books are amongst the most widely read books ever and they are not only fantasy books but can be classified as children's lit to boot. The question might as well be are you embarrassed to read books?

 

I always wonder about the motives of someone who thinks it is a good idea to mock or somehow belittle the taste another person has in reading. From my point of view it says a lot more about them as people than about the genre in question.

That said, if someone cares to have a reasonable chat about it then it then I might point out to them that they are missing out if they think the Fantasy genre has any less intrinsic worth than another genre, like, say, Crime fiction, or Historical fiction: As fans, we know that Fantasy is a tremendously rich literary tradition with something to offer almost every taste, from stalwart multi-generational classics like Tolkien's 'Lord of the Rings' to pop-culture urban fantasy from Neil Gaiman. I wouldn't hesitate to tell people that.

They can't exactly disagree anyway, being that as they don't read the genre how much can they say they really know about it?

 

One of the reasons the genre is stigmatized by popular culture is that there really is a lot of inferior books out there. In fact, there are so many of them that they completely upstage the few quality books and, to many people, become representative of the entire genre.
That is why when I am asked “What kinds of books I like to read?” I never refer to a particular genre or literary movement. (The very definitions of genres and movements are, in my opinion, too subjective and too vague.) I answer the question by listing some of the authors and books that have influenced me as a reader and as a writer. And yes, some of these books are what is generally regarded as “fantasy”. But I am not embarrassed to admit it because an excellent book is an excellent book no matter in what style it is written, by whom and on what subject. That is why on my list of books, JRR Tolkien is standing next to Leo Tolstoy, Albert Camus, Gunter Grass and Kendzaburo Oe.

 

I don't get embarrassed at all by what i read, i'm sort proud to be into sci/fi fantasy. I'm sure a lot of people think i'm a huge nerd or something but i couldn't care less. I don't want to sound maudlin here but reading has gotten me through some tough periods in my life and i'm glad that i started reading from a young age.

 

No, I'm not ashamed to admit I read fantasy, but I don't usually advertise it particularly either, especially to casual acquaintances.

When going on new dates it's a different matter, I always ask, because I couldn't imagine dating a non-reader seriously. I don't care what they read, as long as they read and accept my obsession with reading matter. My current bf is great, he loves fantasy and science-fiction as much as I do.

 

No, not ashamed at all. I get on packed tube trains to and from work every day and read fantasy novels very frequently. Reapers Gale at the moment. I couldn't care less what other people think (if indeed they think anything).

 

I've spent about seven years running working mens clubs and boxing in my spare time. Most of the people I'm surrounded by think I'm strange just for reading!!

I guess it's a very sad world when people have to be ashamed about what they read. I shall now look for books that make me look an even bigger geek in order to help the cause Maybe comics?

 

Just make sure the comic has a suitably hot, incredibly well-endowed superchick about to bust out of her skin-tight outfit. Also, to complete the picture, you need a Maxim/CHM/Playboy (preferably all three) peeking out your bookbag; a Star Trek/Star Wars novel; and some kind of computer magazine. Make sure your hands are suitably greasy from eating too many potato chips and you have crumbs on your clothes.
Ubergeekness! Just wait for the women to fall into your lap.

 

My favorite comics, I still occasionally read are Uncle Scrooge and Conan. It really irratates some people to see a grey-haired old man reading them. Great fun, in addition to being great comics.

 

I've never been embarrassed to admit to liking fantasy if asked. I've always thought that those people that just don't get it and belittle it have little or no imagination. When challenged to why I like it I just smile enigmatically and tell them that since that had to ask there is no point trying to expain something they just won't understand. Makes them feel like they are missing out on something

 

I wish that fantasy publishers would stop treating us like we are all hard-up teen-aged boys! Is there only one artist for all publishers!? I can probably count on my fingers without ever taking off my shoes how many fantasy covers did justice to the serious content within. I picked one up this weekend, Stonewiser by Dora Machado, that actually had a cover that didn't scream adolescence at me, which is why I picked it up in the first place! And it turned out to be a very good read too!

 

What Severn said!!!

What Severn said basicly summs up how i feel about the subject.

 

Bingo.

That's how I feel, too. The recent covers of LOTR have been ... okay. When I first read them, they had watercolor covers that, I believe, were paintings Tolkien himself had painted. They were wonderful and, I think, truly evocative of his story.

And I still have a fondness for the Gallardo covers from the old Sign of the Unicorn imprint. Recently, Night Shade does well by covers, as does Tor.


Randy M.

 

Advice taken on board Radone

 

I've actually used the stigma to my advantage.

There I was, about to board a cross-country flight. On the trip East, I had been stuck beside a talkative older guy. It was fun at first, but got old after a few hours. Before the flight back out West, I trolled around the airport bookstore, looking for something to read. I was determined to be completely antisocial, so I wanted something that made me look unapproachable.

And there it was. Running with the Demon, by Terry Brooks.

It had a cover that was much more ghastly than today's version. It was perfect. Light reading. Thick enough for a four-hour flight. Off-putting cover.

When I boarded, I took care to ostentatiously it. I left face up it in my lap, where the weird cover made me look like a complete nerd.

No one said a word to me the entire trip.

The story was quite entertaining, and I finished it right about the time we landed. It was perfect.

 

Not really.

Fantasy is a very large genre these days aswell.

If I go into my local Waterstones bookshop theres two cases for horror/thriller, then a wall for fantasy and scifi.

 

Why be embarrassed by any genre? Stories are the things that move humanity to great deeds. That's why the bard was an equal to the warriors in the old Germanic alehouses. A good read is worth it's weight in gold as far as I'm concerned.

 

I really don't get embarassed at all. I mean it's not like I'm admitting I like Slash Romance novels...Fantasy is as much as genre as Nonfiction, and way more enjoyable. Yes it is stereotyped, but so is everything these days. I just ignore what people think and read what I feel is great literature.