How does everyone feel about Fantasy novels? Do you think they are a joke or legit literature?

If you are a reader of fantasy it is a legitimate literature and entertainment.

If not, than you will find it hard to read and understand, and probably a "joke" either way it depends on the reader.

I read fantasy. I read a lot of fantasy, and science fiction. These two genres are my more favored ones. I do read other genres but mostly these. Over the years, from the time I began to really read fantasy... keep reading →

Fantasy is just like other literature in that it explores ideas of life and living. It just uses a different setting than other genres. Terry Pratchett, one of my favorite authors, takes the fantasy genre, makes fun of it, but also uses the setting to address and explore current events, culture, politics, economics, a variety of topics.

Ask J K Rowling 's Fans The Harry Potter Series is very Legit literature that has made Millions in book and movie forms. How about The Hobbit, The Lord of The Rings Series by JRR Tolkien? Twilight is a serious cult classic already! Eragon, Eldest, and Brisingr - the books in the Inheritance cycle by Christopher Paolini

There are so many more I could name! Serious, legitimate literature for serious readers who love fantasy!

For hundreds of thousands of people all over the world Fantasy Novels have deeply impacted their lives, creativity, inspiration, and imagination.

That is real, and powerful.

That is legit.

Be peaceful on your way,

Time_Spiraling

"I am another you"

There are completely shit books in every genre of literature. Present the right examples and you can make the case that both fiction and non-fiction are illegitimate as forms of literature. Fantasy is no different, it depends on where you look.

I personally don't read fantasy novels but the movies that are made because of them are amongst the greatest. Think about some.

Thank you both for your answers!

To netslums: If you want some fullfilling fantasy maybe you should try Terry Brooks. Either his "Shannara" series or his "Word and Void" series; both are very engaging.

For more high fantasy, try Stephen R. Donaldson.

I think this is a loaded question. There are some that would ask the same of the so-called 'Holy Bible.' It depends on the audience, mostly, the level of interest in the style and subject matter. I personally feel that many works of 'fiction' or even sci-fi are philosophical entities; literature doesn't have to feel uninspired to be legitimately thoughtful or provoking to some degree.

Kurt Vonnegut, a well regarded figure in modern American literature, often used fantastic elements in his novels and stories - including aliens and futuristic technology. In an essay Vonnegut wrote about Science Fiction, he described himself as a "sore-headed occupant" of a "file drawer" labeled "Science Fiction." Vonnegut added that he wouldn't have minded being in that particular drawer if critics didn't regularly mistake it for a urinal. Vonnegut conceded that there is a lot of trash produced in the science fiction and fantasy genres - but that there are gems as well. So the answer is this: any genre CAN be literature, the preconceptions of critics aside. The question is, is a specific work literature? That is a more relevant question.

http://hubpages.com/hub/Porters-Ghost

Honey, any literature is legit. It's just legit to those whose thing it is. We don't have to like or talk or think the same thing (the world would be in trouble if it got into my head -quaranty)

Fantasy literature goes as far back as Egyptian times. There were scribes desinated to emblish stories of the kings and their conquests.

For instance, review some of these http://www.tolkienlibrary.com/

If you like really ghorie stories = http://www.violetbooks.com/

You can even personalize your own fantasy novel via this site:

http://www.bookbyyou.com/

Let me know what you think of them. So many ways to go, so many sites to research, so many choices to make, so many fantasy's to enrich my heart and soul >-

No way! Fantasy literature is legit. Look at Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, Chronicles of Narnia, etc. Those series have been widely successful and theyre entertaining to read. Now, i do agree that some authors try to push the envelope too far and the novels turn out no better than a "Movie-Book". Anyone can write a novel about a dragon or some magical sword or whatever. The hard part is making the novel entertaining; putting a new spin on the genre. I havent read many fulfilling fantasy novels in the past 10 years (besides Harry Potter), so the genre may be dying. Who knows. As for now, its legit.

I think fanatasy novels are great pieces of literature. A reader is allowed into a whole new world where the impossible becomes possible

Tolkien is legit as they come. Some of the best literature that I have ever read.

That man had some kind of imagination.