Fantasy
Fantasy is a
genre of art that uses
magic and other
supernatural forms as a primary element of
plot, theme, or
setting. The genre is generally distinguished from
science fiction and
horror by overall look, feel, and
theme of the individual work, though there is a great deal of overlap between the three (collectively known as
speculative fiction). In its broadest sense, fantasy covers works by many writers, artists, and musicians, from ancient
myths and
legends, to many recent works embraced by a wide audience today.
As with other forms of speculative fiction, actions and events in fantasy very often differ from those possible in
consensus reality. In many cases, especially in older works of fantasy but in many modern works as well, this is explained by means of
divine intervention, magic, or other supernatural forces. In other cases, most frequently in works of
modern fantasy in the
high fantasy subgenre, the story might take place in a
fantasy world that is wholly different from our own, complete with distinct laws of nature that permit magic.
The defining characteristics of
fantasy fiction and its many overlapping sub-genres are the subject of debate among writers, scholars and fans of the genre.
One characteristic often cited to delineate the boundary of fantasy is that the story's setting differs from our own universe in a manner that is not the result of
science or
technology, but rather the result of magic or other
anomalous phenomena. This criterion is commonly, but not universally, accepted. For example, much of
children's literature might fit this definition (e.g. the works of
Dr. Seuss), but is nevertheless considered by many to be a separate genre.
As a genre, fantasy is both associated with and contrasted with
science fiction and
horror fiction. All three genres feature elements of the fantastic and make radical departures from reality or radical speculations regarding the nature of reality. Some writers and critics therefore prefer the term
speculative fiction due to the frequent crossover from one genre to another. The term
science fantasy is also sometimes used to describe science fiction stories that incorporate elements of fantasy, or fantasy stories that occur in settings more commonly associated with science fiction.
Further blurring the definition, some suggest there is a distinction between the fantasy genre and the more generic "
fantastic", the latter referring to the use of fantasy-like elements in other fiction genres.
Though the genre in its modern sense is less than two centuries old, its antecedents have a long and distinguished history.
Beginning perhaps with the
Epic of Gilgamesh and the earliest written documents known to humankind, mythic and other elements that would eventually come to define fantasy and its various subgenres have been a part of some of the grandest and most celebrated works of literature. From
The Odyssey to
Beowulf, from
Arthurian Legend and medieval romance to the
epic poetry of the
Divine Comedy, fantastical adventures featuring brave
heroes and
heroines, deadly
monsters, and secret
arcane realms have inspired many audiences. In this sense, the history of fantasy and the history of literature are inextricably intertwined.
The history of modern imaginary-world fantasy begins with
William Morris, who pioneered the genre in the late
19th century with
The Well at the World's End and other novels, and
Lord Dunsany, who continued the tradition into the
20th.
In the early to mid 20th century, much fantasy was published in the same magazines as
science fiction (and often written by the same authors).
In the mid-1900's, two subgenres of fantasy became very popular and influential:
high fantasy and
sword and sorcery. Within the High Fantasy genre,
J. R. R. Tolkien's
The Hobbit and
The Lord of the Rings are milestones; other important works include
C. S. Lewis's
Chronicles of Narnia and
Ursula K. Le Guin's
Earthsea series. Some of the most important contributors to the Sword and Sorcery genre include
Fritz Leiber,
Robert E. Howard and
Clark Ashton Smith. Fantasy writing saw renewed popularity in the latter half of the 20th century, often influenced by these seminal works and, like them, borrowing from myth, epic, and medieval romance.
The popularity of the fantasy genre has continued to increase in the 21st century, as evidenced by the best-selling status of the
Harry Potter series as well as fantasy film adaptations that have achieved blockbuster status, most notably the recent ''
Lord of the Rings movies.
For more details on this topic, see fantasy art,
fantasy film,
fantasy literature,
fantasy televisionFantasy is a popular genre, having found a home for itself in almost every
medium. While fantasy art and fantasy films have been hugely successful, it is fantasy literature which has always been the most expansive and diverse.
Fantasy
role-playing games cross several different media. The 'pen & paper' role-playing game
Dungeons & Dragons was the first and is arguably the most successful and influential, though the pseudo-
science fantasy role-playing game series
Final Fantasy has been an icon of the
computer role-playing game genre. Role-playing games have in turn spawned much new art, literature, and even music in the genre. Game companies have published fantasy novels set in their own fictional game universes; the
Forgotten Realms, and
Dragonlance series are some of the more popular.
Similarly, series of novels based on fantasy films and TV series have found their own niche.
Modern fantasy, including early modern fantasy, has also spawned many new subgenres with no clear counterpart in mythology or folklore, although inspiration from mythology and folklore remains a consistent theme. Fantasy subgenres are numerous and diverse, frequently overlapping with other forms of speculative fiction in almost every medium in which they're produced. Noteworthy in this regard are the
science fantasy and
dark fantasy subgenres, which the fantasy genre shares with science fiction and horror, respectively.
Fans of fantasy get together yearly at the
World Fantasy Convention. The first was held in 1975 and it has occurred every year since. The convention is held at a different city each year.
Additionally, many science fiction conventions, such as Florida's FX Show or
MegaCon, also cater to fantasy and horror fans, and
anime conventions, such as
JACON or
Anime Expo frequently feature showings of fantasy, science fantasy or dark fantasy series and films such as
Cardcaptor Sakura (fantasy),
Sailor Moon (science fantasy),
xxxHolic (dark fantasy) or
Spirited Away (fantasy). Many science fiction/fantasy and anime conventions also strongly feature or cater to one or more of the several subcultures within the main subcultures, including the
cosplay subculture (in which people make and/or wear costumes based on existing or self-created characters, sometimes also acting out skits or plays as well) and the
fan fiction subculture, the fan vid or
AMV subculture, as well as the large internet subculture devoted to reading and writing prose fiction and/or
doujinshi in or related to those genres.
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Anime*
List of fantasy authors*
List of fantasy worlds*
List of high fantasy fiction*
Fairy tales*
Horror fiction*
Internet Speculative Fiction DataBase*
Science fiction*
Speculative fiction*
Supernatural fiction*
Themes in Fantasy*
Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America website:
SWFA.org*
SFFWorld - Interviews, reviews and forums
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Internet Dictionary of Fantastic Places*
Most Honored Fantasy Books at the
Book Award Annals*
Great Science-Fiction & Fantasy Works: speculative fiction considered as literature
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Fantasy Writing: Nabble forum for fantasy writers, and discussion
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Realms of Fantasy Website: General Fantasy Content and Forums for Fantasy Enthusiasts and Writers
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Khimaira Magazine: The website of the French fantasy magazine
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Fantasy-Source.co.uk Fantasy Information, reviews and a fan forum.
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Another Book Fantasy Books with Reviews Information about fantasy books based on user comments. Includes interesting book recommendation system.
