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

1. 59

   JTTposted 15 years ago

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

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2. 71

   netslumsposted 15 years ago

   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.

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   sbeakrposted 15 years ago

   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.

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4. 59

   JTTposted 15 years ago

   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.

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   Kebennett1posted 15 years ago

   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!

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   Time Spiralposted 15 years ago

   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"

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   EdG.posted 15 years ago

   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.

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   Dark knight ridesposted 15 years ago

   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.

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   Rebecca E.posted 15 years ago

   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.

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10. 88

    Rebecca E.posted 15 years ago

    If you read a lot of books where does fantasy and science fiction count as legitimate published works?
    
    Or would these writers be better off writing "pure" fiction? read more

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    Notebook Writerposted 15 years ago

    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 >-

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    DRG Da Real Grincposted 15 years ago

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

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    rollandeposted 15 years ago

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

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    hockeyundergroundposted 15 years ago

    Tolkien is legit as they come. Some of the best literature that I have ever read.
    
    That man had some kind of imagination.

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    Kid Eternityposted 15 years ago

    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

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    AuthorFBradshawposted 15 years ago

    KeBennet1 I am with you...they may be difficult reads for those who do not like  or have ever read Fantasy....a joke no...legit? yea! Harry Potter fan all the way...Lord of the Rings as well....and believe me books are always beeter than the movie...

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    ademareeposted 14 years ago

    I think they can be both. Some are obviously crap, but there are authors who can make them into literature. Tolkien obviously did so. I think Robert Jordan's series is worth reading and easily enjoyed.

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    surlyoldcatposted 14 years ago

    Well, since fantasy can encompass so much I would say look at mythology, the works of Jules Verne and H.G. Welles, J.R.R. Tolkein, Frank Herbert, Isaac Asimov, Piers Anthony, Alan Dean Foster, etc the whole kit and kaboodle was legitimised long before it should have even become an issue.

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    Michael Durdenposted 14 years ago

    I'm not a big fan of fantasy, but I think anything can be done well. If it's done well, it's legit, if it's not, it's not.

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    IamMasterposted 14 years ago

    Fantasy novels are in no way a joke. Sure, you will find some (plenty) of horrible "fantasy" books out there, but there will also be many. many gems among the lot. Its the same with every genre of, well, EVERYTHING! But that doesn't change anything. How many people are interested in it makes no difference. How many good/bad books there are makes no difference. What the critics say makes no difference. Hell, what your friends say should make no difference. Your opinion is just that, your own. And no one and nothing should change that. Ever.
    So, no. In MY opinion, I don't think fantasy books are a joke.

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    jadelawposted 14 years ago

    Obviously, fantasy has its place alongside other fiction. Who has the right to judge one style over another? These choices are opinions and differ from person to person.
    Aside from this argument, fantasy lifts us from the mundane world and elevates our spirits, freeing us from everyday woes. And isn't that what literature is supposed to do?

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