Chances are good that if you read a substantial amount of fantasy novels you’ve no doubt encountered people who think they’re a huge waste of time. They’ve been accused of everything from being just for kids to advocating dangerous anti-religious agendas. The reality is that fantasy doesn’t always get the respect it deserves, as the best fantasy novels have characters, plots and themes that are just as worthy of respect as any other genre. Aside from this, there are many other reasons to read fantasy novels, no matter how much guff you get from others who just don’t understand what they’re missing. Consider these:
• Fantasy isn’t just an escape. Fantasy isn’t any more of an escape than any other kind of literature and those that view it as such aren’t giving it credit for the imagination, creativity and uniqueness it has to offer.
• Fantasy speaks to something deeper. Much of fantasy writing harkens back to myths that address some of the basic conflicts in human life. Even when non-human characters are used, conflicts between good and evil and right and wrong give insight into what it means to be human.
• Fantasy is more than fluff. Just because it incorporates elements of magic, dragons and mythic races doesn’t mean that fantasy is just fluff without substance. Often it asks readers to address universal truths, regardless of the time period, location or characters it chooses.
• Fantasy can be intimately spiritual. Whether it’s Harry Potter or something more serious, many critics of fantasy accuse it of going against religion and spirituality. Yet fantasy literature deals with some of the same fundamental issues as religion and asks readers to think deeply about morality, faith, values and their relationship with the universe.
No matter why you choose to read fantasy, it’s clear that fantasy novels offer us something just as valuable as any other type of literature, and the best fantasy novels deserve the same respect. As fantasy and science fiction have become ever more popular in movies and television, perhaps more of these great works will gain the admiration they deserve.
Posted in Uncategorized | 
No Comments » | November 28th, 2009
