Fluent in Fantasy: A Guide to Reading Interests

by Bonnie Kunzel

Overview

The rich and complex genre of fantasy fiction appeals to readers of all ages. Designed for readers' advisors and collection development specialists in public, school, and college libraries, this in-depth guide expands upon the material on fantasy fiction offered in Genreflecting. Herald offers a historical and structural overview of the genre, describes 15 subgenres and a score of variations within them, and lists the best and most current reads available in the fantasy arena. Descriptive entries contain information about pertinent review resources, bibliographies, criticism, awards, and organizations. An author/title and subject index help provide easy access to specific titles and authors and an appendix lists recommended fantasy titles for young adults. A must for readers' advisors and collection development specialists, this book will also be valuable to writers, researchers, bookstore owners, and dedicated fans of fantasy fiction.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781563086557
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	06/15/1999
Series:	Genreflecting Advisory Series
Pages:	260
Product dimensions:	7.00(w) x 10.00(h) x 0.62(d)

About the Author

Diana Tixier Herald, a former readers' advisory librarian, is program and outreach manager at Delta County Libraries, Delta, CO, and an author, readers' advisory consultant, workshop presenter, and speaker.

Table of Contents

	Acknowledgments	ix
Chapter 1	Introduction	1
	What Is Fantasy?	2
	Importance of Fantasy	4
	Where Is Fantasy Going?	5
	Scope and Purpose	5
	Selection of Titles	6
	Organization of the Book	6
	Reviews and Resources for Librarians	7
	The Nature of Fantasy Readers	8
Chapter 2	Overview of the Genre	9
	Fantasy Conventions	9
	History of the Fantasy Genre	9
	Early Fantasy Authors	11
Chapter 3	Sword and Sorcery	15
	Quest	26
	Tolkien	28
	Epic	30
	Heroic	37
	Wizards, Sorcerers, and Enchantresses	42
	D's Picks	47
Chapter 4	Saga, Myth, and Legend	49
	Arthurian Legend	49
	Robin Hood and Sherwood Forest	55
	Ancient Civilizations	55
	Celtic Fantasy	56
	The Americas	60
	Asia	60
	Europe	61
	Africa and the Middle East	63
	Byzantium	63
	D's Picks	63
Chapter 5	Fairy Tales	65
	The Familiar	66
	Originals	69
	Fairy Tale Short Stories	71
	D's Picks	72
Chapter 6	Humor	73
	D's Picks	78
Chapter 7	A Bestiary	79
	Anthologies	79
	Unicorns	80
	Dragons	81
	Uncommon Common Animals	85
	D's Picks	87
Chapter 8	World of Faerie	89
	D's Picks	92
Chapter 9	Contemporary Fantasy	93
	Urban Fantasy	93
	The Human Condition	96
	Magic Realism	98
	D's Picks	100
Chapter 10	Alternate and Parallel Worlds	101
	Alternate History	101
	Parallel Worlds	106
	Alternate Worlds	114
	D's Picks	120
Chapter 11	Time Travel	121
	D's Picks	123
Chapter 12	Paranormal Powers	125
	Psionic Powers	125
	Shapeshifters	133
	Immortality	134
	Supernatural Beings	135
	D's Picks	136
Chapter 13	Graphic Novels	137
	D's Picks	140
Chapter 14	Celebrity Characters	141
	D's Picks	143
Chapter 15	Shared Worlds	145
	Shared World Series	146
	Dungeons and Dragons and Other Role-Playing Game Worlds	154
	Novels Based on Role-Playing Games	155
	D's Picks	155
Chapter 16	Dark Fantasy	157
	Weird Tales	161
	D's Picks	162
Chapter 17	Fantasy Featuring Detection	163
	D's Picks	168
Chapter 18	Romantic Fantasy	169
	D's Picks	171
Chapter 19	Short Stories	173
	Anthologies	173
	Anthology Series	177
	Collections	178
Chapter 20	Resources	181
	Bibliographies and Biographies	181
	Encyclopedia	183
	Guides and Atlases	183
	History and Criticism	186
	Journals	188
	Online Resources	188
	Publishers	190
	Organizations and Conventions	192
	Awards	193
	Fantasy Awards	193
	SF and Fantasy Awards	199
Appendix A	The Vocabulary of Fantasy or Common Conventions	201
Appendix B	The YALSA-BK Best Fantasy for YA List	205
Appendix C	Recommended Core Collection	209
	References	217
	Author/Title Index	219
	Subject Index	253

Editorial Reviews

Librarians new to reader's advisory and unfamiliar with the fantasy…genres will find [this] guide very helpful…Describes 15 fantasy subgenres…listing for each the best and most current books available.” —Library Jourbanal

“For those libraries that…prefer the GENREFLECTING approach to genre fiction…Recommended for high-school and public libraries; FANTASY AND HORROR is recommended for academic libraries as well.” —Ref Bks Bulletin

“Comprehensive yet easy to use, this book is an indispensable guide for middle and high school librarians as well as those in public libraries. Young adults themselves can easily glean the information they need from this well-organized, clear guide.” —VOYA

“*Her emphasis is on the story and its place in the genre rather than publication data.” —Ref & Research Book News

“This useful book begins by providing a definition of fantasy and a history of the genre.” —School Library Jourbanal

“The general reader…will find a guide not only to the most popular titles but to some neglected classics.” —Sci Fi Research Review

“This comprehensive resource defines and organizes the many subgenres of fantasy literature. Annotations and recommended lists of titles with keywords help readers to find similar books.This accessible guide is easy for teens to use themselves.” —VOYA

From the Publisher

Librarians new to reader's advisory and unfamiliar with the fantasy and romance genres will find these two guides very helpful. Herald, a consultant specializing in genre fiction, expands on the fantasy material she discussed in Genreflecting (1995) and describes 15 fantasy subgenres (from Sword and Sorcery to Dark Fantasy), listing for each the best and most current books available. Revising and expanding her Happily Ever After (1987), Ramsdell, LJ's Romance columnist, thoroughly covers the genre from early classics to contemporary novels. She also includes subcategories not discussed in the previous edition (Regency, alternative reality romance, ethnic/multicultural romance). Both volumes feature recommended core collections, author, title, and subject indexes, and other useful resources.--WW Copyright 1999 Cahners Business Information.

Library Journal

This useful book begins by providing a definition of fantasy and a history of the genre. Subsequent chapters provide descriptions and annotated lists of titles in various subgenres including "Sword and Sorcery," "Saga, Myth, and Legend," "Alternate and Parallel Worlds," and "Graphic Novels." The selected titles come from many sources, including library and bookstore patrons, award winners, and reader polls. There is also a chapter on resources such as bibliographies, biographies, atlases, online resources, organizations and conventions, and awards. A glossary of common fantasy vocabulary, the "YALSA-BK Best Fantasy for YA List," and a recommended core collection are appended.-Marlyn K. Roberts, Codman Square Library, Dorchester, MA Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information.

School Library Journal

Expanding on the fantasy part of her in-depth guide to fiction , former librarian Herald describes books and story anthologies for young adults in 15 subgenres, such as sword and sorcery, humor, shared worlds, and dark fantasy. Her emphasis is on the story and its place in the genre rather than publication data. She also lists many resources for librarians and teachers, offers a recommended core collection with full bibliographic citations, and a glossary without pronunciation. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

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