Fantasy Friday - Episode 3 - The High Fantasy Experiment

FANTASY FRIDAY

My education (and therefore yours!) continues this week as we explore some of the sub-genres of fantasy. I have been looking for great fantasy books to add to my TBR but, since fantasy covers practically all eventualities, I need to narrow it down. I think that what's put me off fantasy in the past is that I have read a book in a sub-genre that hasn't been my cup of tea, assumed that's all fantasy (and spent my life not realising that some of my favourite books are classed as fantasy) and ignored any book I considered to be in that category. To work out what I like, and what I don't, an experiment is in order.  

My goal is to select and choose at least one book or series from some of the most popular sub-genres, read and rate them, and use my gut feeling to know where I lean in preference. I'll also be doing some in-depth research on the sub-genre specifically so that I have an understanding of what's meant to be happening!

First, let's look at the first sub-genre in my experiment:

HIGH FANTASY

I would argue that High Fantasy is the most well-known and thought of fantasy sub-genres. High Fantasy books are set in a world that is completely different from our own. Not necessarily a different planet (that takes us into the realms of sci-fi). Earth, but not the same. Places, countries, realms, and geography can be similar or entirely constructed and it is usually inhabited by magical or mythical creatures and beings (like dragons, fae, gnomes, and elves). Humans often live in these worlds too, sometimes having magical powers. 

On top of this, there are usually other magical elements within these fantasy worlds. Objects that hold, draw, or create magical powers are examples of magical elements (like the necromancer's book in Bookshops and Bonedust). 

In the last few weeks, I have read two books that fit into High Fantasy, the Legends and Lattes Duology (see my reviews here and here). These are High Fantasy but are classed as cosy, they have only subtle references to the scope, scale, and grandeur of the fantasy world and, I would say, are a great way of easing into the style and storytelling, without nosediving. I've dipped my toe in the water, and feel ready to jump right in.

I've reviewed many top ten lists and highly rated high fantasy books and whittled down my selection. The obvious choices are Lord of the Rings and Game of Thrones. I, perhaps surprisingly, own a copy of The Hobbit, which is the precursor to the LoTR books. My hope is that I will gain a sound introduction to the world, its people, and the lore before getting into the real nitty-gritty of the main books. I haven't watched any of the movies so I am going in completely blind to it. 

The edition I have is a very fancy limited edition hardcover gift set with cool maps and cards that I bought second-hand (thrifty!) a few years ago (picture below). It's been keeping my shelf warm ever since then. Until now that is. 

I've made a start. Firstly, let me point out, I was totally unaware that this was published in 1937. That's incredible. To see how much of an impact these books are still having is a testament to the longevity of the stories. Even as a complete novice, Gandalf is a familiar name to me, I know what he looks like and some of his catchphrases "You shall not pass..." are still so relevant in today's culture and I love that. I'm also flabbergasted to find that it's geared toward ages 12 and up. Now I know nothing of the reading skills of 12-year-olds in 1937, but this prose is a mouthful. By page 23 I had looked up the definitions of:

Confusticate - to confuse, perplex, or confound someone

Depredations - the act of attacking or plundering (in the context I was reading, the dragons were attacking and plundering the Dwarves)

Bewuthered - a fully made-up word courtesy of Tolkien. The general view is that it means bothered, muddled, confused. Used with bewildered, as it was in the book, this made more sense. 

Perhaps these words were more common at the time that they were written. I experienced similar confusion when I listened to Edgar Allan Poe's work. The first time the narrator yelled "ejaculated" (to mean expressed enthusiastically) I nearly crashed the car into a tree. Anyway, I digress. 

I'll post my full review and pop a link here when I have finished this (and the series if that's where my reading leads!). 

What do you think are the greatest High Fantasy books? Let me know!

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