I can’t remember when was the last time I read a good fantasy book. Oh wait, I do. That was like, last year, when I tearfully read Robin Hobb’s last book of the Tawny Man trilogy - Fools’ Fate. Yes, I shed tears because it was going to be a good, long while before I read good fantasy books like that again.
Fantasy used to be my favourite genre, but now I can barely make myself look at the books when I’m at Kino or Borders. This is because fantasy books are so unimaginative these days. (Ironic for a genre that relies a lot on that.) Or maybe I’ve read so many of them that I recognise their plots a mile away. A fantasy book almost always has these “qualities”:
- set in a medieval European land
- has a mat salleh* hero with some issues
- hero and sidekicks must go on some kind of quest to find something that will save the world from eventual doom
- mysterious elves. Yuck.
- political machinations in a not-so-friendly court
Now, if I can find books that go beyond these well-written boundaries, I will be very happy indeed. So far, Robin Hobb manages to evade the “elves and quests” curse of the fantasy book world.
I really miss the “need to turn the page or else I’ll die” feeling that I get when I read a really good book. I’ve not had that in ages!
I’m now trying a new author, Fiona McIntosh, and hope that perhaps she can rival Robin Hobb somewhat. Wish me luck!
* Simply put, a white guy.
Article comments
1 - Kyla
Have you read Guy Gavriel Kay, George R.R. Martin or Terry Pratchett? They're all very good, and shatter the normal mold.
2 - Baronius
Pratchett? (shudder) He does exactly what Ruth complains about. Pratchett is basically Xanth without a story line: a jumble of generic questers in a world of puns.
The last fantasy series I read (and enjoyed) was J.V. Jones' "Book of Words" trilogy. It's a trilogy about, um, a magical medieval kingdom with heroes on a quest. But the political machinations were off-the-charts intricate, and it gave a different feel to the story.
3 - Nancy
Pratchett is one of the worst writers I've come across recently. His writing is labored, to say the least, and clumsy. I was given a complete set of Pratchett, and couldn't wait to inflict them on some unsuspecting, deserving enemy. But that's just my opinion; my good friend in Wisconsin thinks the sun rises & falls on his works, & in general she has beaucoup good taste.
4 - Ruth
Haha, I have a friend who would have an aneuresym if you suggest that Prachett is anything but divine. :P I did try to get into Prachett but realised that he isn't my cup of tea. I've also tried George R.R. Martin, but all the politics was a bit tedious for me. Guy Gavriel Kay - have not really tried him, but I should one day! Thanks for the tips.
5 - Nancy
The thing about fantasy writing is it spans SUCH a huge range, from sword & sorcery pure & gothic to science fiction and all levels in between, so one person's Pratchett is another person's Cherryh. The output of the authors themselves also can range from superb to awful. I've read a few where half a dozen of their books were great, & then I'd run across a real dog & wonder where their editor had been.
6 - Richard Marcus
A list, in no particular order, of authors. James Barclay, Steven Erikson, R.Scott Baker, Ashok K. Banker, Robert Scott and Jay Gordon, Neil Gaiman, Gail Baudino, Tanya Huff, Rosemary Kirstien, Greg Keyes,and Bridget Wood.
These are all just off the top of my head, and with the exception of the last one you can find reviews for all their work on the site.
However I do tend to agree with you, that handful is about as far as I'm able to read of recent authors without sickening. Unfortunately the blame must be placed on the publishers not the authors, because they are the ones who have decided what "fantasy" is and will only except books as such if they contain the elements you pretty much listed above.
I give full marks to anyone who can create a decent story within those guidelines and there are a couple in my list who qualify that way. They've written a good story in spite of the constraints placed on them by the publishing worlds genre definitions.
Oh I read the first book in the Fiona McIntosh series and thought it was poorly written and the characters badly drawn. But that's just me - Oh I just remembered two others Celia Dart-Thornton and Janine Cross.
I hope some of the authors in my list will appeal to you.
cheers
Richard
7 - SFC SKI
I generally avoid fantasy as well, for the reasons you've given. The only exception is the Warhammer series; though based on a gaming system by Games Workshop, many of the books are well written and have some depth. The Warhammer world is definitely rich and varied. These books are not about to usurp Tolkien, but they are enjoyable reads that draw in the reader, provide a good story, and often stick in the brain and make one wish for more; fantasy candy.
I love Pratchett's work, those who disagree must be humorless souls whose lives are empty.
I am definitely looking forward to reading the Ashok Banker books, and if you have not dealt with the Arabian Nights, there is some rich fantasy in some of the tales there.
8 - Natalie Bennett
This article has been selected for syndication to Advance.net, which is affiliated with newspapers around the United States. Nice work!
9 - Mohjho
Well Ruth, maybe it's time you read, or reread, some fantasy heavyweights.
"Iliad" by Homer
"Journey to the West" by by Wu Chen-en
Grim brothers originals
Sometimes when I get tired of K-mart stories I like to go directly to the source. Reading classic genius invigorates me back to popular reading.
10 - Baronius
Don't forget Beowulf, my favorite of the ancient fantasy stories.
Two friends of mine are Pratchett fans. One lent me one of his books. About a year later we were talking about fantasy authors, and Pratchett's name came up. I had no recollection of having read the book until they reminded me of its title. They couldn't believe it: to a Pratchett fan, every word must be meditated upon.
Maybe if you pay attention to every bit of wordplay, the overall effect is enjoyable. I was just bored.
11 - Ashok K. Banker
Ruth, I love fantasy fiction and couldn't live without it. Since I enjoyed Robin Hobb HUGELY and so did you, I imagine you might like Fiona McIntosh a lot. If you were referring to the first book of The Quickening, then I think you should like it almost as much as Hobb. She's not as original as Hobb in her settings--The Quickening is medieval fiction with almost no fantasy elements--but I enjoyed her work thoroughly.
But I would disagree with Richard Marcus including my name on a suggested list of fantasy authors. I'd say my work is least likely to appeal to readers who enjoy fantasy fiction. In fact, I frequently say that it's best read by Indians who are already familiar with the ancient Sanskrit tale The Ramayana. Not recomended for you or other fantasy readers (such as myself) at all, however unlikely that sounds coming from its author!
12 - Ruth
Hey Ashok! I've seen your books. In fact, they were reviewed in Malaysian newspapers a while back. ;) Thanks for commenting.
You know, you're right, I just picked up Fiona McIntosh's Quickening series (I think) and I couldn't put down the first book Myrren's Gift. I didn't think I'd find a spark so quickly, but yeah, it looks like I've found a new fantasy author to read. Yipee!
13 - Lesley
I was so pleased to see SFC SKI's comment about Pratchett. I too have a soft spot. I really haven't read too many fantasy authors: Greg Keys, Janny Wurts,utterly mad stuff by Robert Rankin and Tom Holt, Philip Pullman ('His Dark Materials' was beautifully written) and Tolkein of course. I do have 3 fav fantasy writers though, Raymond E. Feist, Tad Williams and Jasper Fford, although I'm not sure if he falls into the genre, not having a single knight, whitch, elf, or castle in any of his books. If you can though, read 'Magician' by Feist and any of the 'Empire' series (3 books. Daughter, Servant and Mistress of the Empire) by Feist and Wurts. They are fabulous books and are written with great care. 'Magician' will nail you to your seat. I have loaned 'Magician' to several of my friends, who are now commited Feist fans.