Welcome to June, the month where we consider fantasy and all things fantastical!
Coming right after crossover month, distinctions of genre may seem somewhat meaningless – however, that is not necessarily the case. Genre becomes absurd when it is used as a set of rules used to confine and constrain authors and writing. Genre can also be a useful tool for classifying and understanding stories, so long as genre remains a type – descriptive, rather than prescriptive.
(Patagonian Unicorn, from South Latitude on Flickr)
So, what’s up for this month? Nafiza will write about the different types of fantasy, the myth of the strong heroine, and review some of her favourite fantasy stories, including Alison Goodman’s Eon and Eona duo. Steph will take a look at Hayao Miyazaki’s films and graphic novels, books by Avi, and perhaps also at some of the classics, such as A Wizard of Earthsea, The Hobbit, and Lloyd Alexander’s Chronicles of Prydain. Yash will read and discuss the fantasy stories from her summer reading list. Janet hasn’t yet narrowed down her list of fantasy novels decided from among all the wonderful fantasy novels that could be written about. Plus, of course, Top Ten Tuesdays and Cover Wars.
Here’s a definition to keep in mind for this coming month – only one definition of many more to come, I’m sure –
Fantasy, fan’-ta-si, n. A mental image, especially of the unrestricted imagination; a daydream; a visionary idea; a caprice. (From The New Webster Encyclopedic Dictionary of the English Language, p. 318)
Unrestricted, visionary imagination. I like that.
(from Rob Boudon on Flickr, via venturebeat.com)
The Book Wars 
I cannot wait to read what you have to say about The Chronicles of Prydain! When I was a kid, I wrote to Lloyd Alexander, telling him how much I enjoyed those books and he sent me a signed pronunciation guide for all the characters’ names. Truly the nicest man :)
I can’t believe I’m just seeing this now!
^_^ I loved Lloyd Alexander’s writing when I was kid – it made me want to put down the book and pick up the pen and write for myself. It was so fun and inspiring and just awesome. ^_^
Pingback: The Fantastic Classics | The Book Wars·