Unexpected Journeys: An Introduction to Fantasy Literature

Far From Home

The young man was far from home. The sounds of battle rang out all around him. He gripped his weapon tight as he waded through the thick, slippery marsh. His helmet began to slide down his forehead, blocking his vision. He couldn’t stop. Duty urged him forward, though danger waited ahead.

The ground beneath his feet trembled from the sound of a deafening roar. He stumbled and tripped. As he struggled to his feet, he looked down and saw the ghostly faces of the fallen.

The year was 1916. Lieutenant Tolkien would never forget the sight of those faces in the watery mud of the Somme. Tolkien’s experiences during the First World War would go on to shape his grand saga, The Lord of the Rings.

Where Dreams Take Flight

Fantasy literature began in the late 19th century and found its stride during the mid 20th century. The genre of fantasy falls under the umbrella of speculative fiction, or stories that are not based in the real world. To “speculate” means to wonder about something or come up with ideas about something. There are many types of speculative fiction, like science fiction and superhero fiction. Sometimes, the lines between them can blur, but like fantasy, they have clear characteristics.

Fantasy is unique because of its magical and supernatural elements. Fantasy literature can mirror our world, but it is not necessarily tied to our laws of science and nature. Features of the genre include magical powers, dangerous or helpful creatures, and, of course, adventure. Fantasy has roots in folklore, myths, and fairy tales.

One of the most common elements in fantasy is the “Hero’s Journey.” The term was coined by literature professor Joseph Campbell. It describes the cycle of many fantasy stories. The journey is divided into the three acts. First is the Departure. This is when the hero must travel beyond their comfortable world. Next is the Initiation, when obstacles come between the hero and their goal. The hero must tackle their final challenge before they can move on to the end of the journey. In the Return, the hero goes back to the life they led before. Because of their journey, they have achieved freedom from fear.

Subgenres of Fantasy

Fantasy can be divided into three different subgenres. These are magical realism, low fantasy, and high fantasy.

Magical realism is set in the real world but with magic in it. Gabriel García Márquez’s classic One Hundred Years of Solitude (1967) is the best known work of magical realism. The magical elements are accepted and even unacknowledged by the characters. To them, magic is as normal as brushing your teeth.

Low fantasy is set in the real world too, but the hero is usually drawn into a separate, magical one. This happens in stories like The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (1900) and Alice in Wonderland (1865). This new world is unexpected, and the characters must find a way to return home.

High fantasy is set in a different world with its own laws, customs, and histories. Magic is typically built into the fabric of this world and has its own set of rules. High fantasy sometimes draws inspiration from the European Middle Ages, although this is not always true today. The most notable work of high fantasy is The Lord of the Rings (1954).

One Trilogy to Rule Them All

J.R.R. Tolkien’s trilogy The Lord of the Rings, along with its prequel The Hobbit (1937), became the gold-standard of fantasy literature. When people think of fantasy, they think of Tolkien. His work thrust fantasy into the mainstream during the 1900s. It has had a lasting effect on popular culture ever since.

Tolkien’s books are considered the height of fantasy due to their vivid world-building. He developed cultures, religions, and customs for his Middle Earth. He even invented new languages. This level of detail pulls the reader into the fictive dream. This refers to the almost dream-like state a reader falls into when reading a captivating story. In this state, the reader feels like they are a part of the imaginary world.

Tolkien’s service during WWI strongly informed his writing. His books feature heart-wrenching scenes of battle and loss based on his experiences. Because of this, they feel more emotional and, ironically, real. It also teaches the reader important lessons about war, friendship, and grief.

Magic and Mayhem

While Tolkien set a high bar in fantasy writing, other authors have certainly risen to meet it. One example is Ursula K. Le Guin. As a speculative fiction writer, she often straddled the divide between science fiction and fantasy. She is known for her groundbreaking 1968 Earthsea series.

Le Guin’s writing was decidedly feminist in a genre that was then controlled almost entirely by male authors. She wrote about female characters when most fantasy heroes were male. She also wrote about characters who were not white in a time when it was assumed that fantasy characters were only white.

Like Tolkien, she used her imagination to talk about important subjects and create a critical lens of the world through her writing. Her work is known for its cultural and historical criticism, particularly of the Vietnam War and colonialism.

Fantastic Stories and Where to Find Them

Fantasy is one of the most popular genres in media today. For example, the Harry Potter (1997) series has inspired millions of readers around the globe. It has enchanted even more on the silver screen.

Fantasy writers like Tolkien and Le Guin laid the groundwork for authors to capture the imaginations of readers today. If you are looking to read more fantasy literature, there are many new and established writers. Here are just a few: Rick Riordan, Rebecca Roanhorse, Nnedi Okorafor, Neil Gaiman, Tamora Pierce, Philip Pullman, Leigh Bardugo, Garth Nix, V.E. Schwab, N.K. Jemisin, Tomi Adeyami, and S.A. Chakraborty.

There are many things to love about fantasy. It offers a wide range of characters, plots, worlds, and themes — so there’s always something new to explore. It transports readers to new realms. It gives them hope and excitement.

Fantasy also helps us understand our world by pulling us into one that exists only in our imaginations. It makes us think about what shapes our world, why things happen, and what we can do to make it better. After all, we all need a little magic in our lives.