10-14-2014, 02:49 PM
(This post was last modified: 10-14-2014, 03:37 PM by wfmyers1207.)
Actually, I've read some books by several of these authors. I enjoyed a few of them. Most particularly Mercedes Lackey and Elizabeth Moon. I've read Robin Hobb but found her style tedious and over melodramatic. The only book I've read by Anne Rice was "Out of Egypt", a speculative story about the early life of Jesus during the time his family lived in exile in Egypt and just after their return to Judea. Quite good.
As far as Marian Zimmer Bradley is concerned. I did not think it possible to screw up the stories of King Arthur, but she managed to do it. And after recent revelations about her personal life, I will never read anything written by that low life piece of garbage again!
Well Gretel, I guess that's like asking "what is art?" It's all in the eye of the beholder. I must admit to being drawn to the heroic version of fantasy. I'm a man and a soldier from a long line of soldiers. And I suppose that all soldiers have a dream of being a hero. Patriotism. Commaraderie. Justice. These things are all in your mind. But, deep down is always that secret desire to be Sgt. Alvin York or Lt. Audie Murphy. The desire to shine and be recognized above others. The desire to strike at least one good hard blow for what is right and knowing that it's right!. That's why I hated playing those old Cold War games. Never being able to tell people what had really happened and what you had really done. What people did know about is now portrayed as being ambiguous, as if there were no real right or wrong side. I am honored to have served my country but some of it stuck in my craw.
So, to answer your question. To me fantasy is something that lifts you above yourself. Makes you want to have been that person and done those things. Of course, then he or she rides off into the sunset without much reward! But deep inside, they are thinking: "I am the baddest bastard in the land and a just warrior!"
And now this tired old Cold Warrior is done with his maudlin, philosophical ramblings for the evening.
As far as Marian Zimmer Bradley is concerned. I did not think it possible to screw up the stories of King Arthur, but she managed to do it. And after recent revelations about her personal life, I will never read anything written by that low life piece of garbage again!
(10-13-2014, 10:13 PM)Gretel Hanselsister Wrote:(10-13-2014, 04:44 PM)wfmyers1207 Wrote: I'm probably going to get in trouble for saying this, but I'm going to say it anyway.
What makes you think that?
(10-13-2014, 04:44 PM)wfmyers1207 Wrote: In my experience most fantasy novels written by women are just romantic novels pretending to be fantasy.
You are right. And most male "fantasy authors" only write about fighting and war.
Let's define: what is fantasy? Real fantasy?
Well Gretel, I guess that's like asking "what is art?" It's all in the eye of the beholder. I must admit to being drawn to the heroic version of fantasy. I'm a man and a soldier from a long line of soldiers. And I suppose that all soldiers have a dream of being a hero. Patriotism. Commaraderie. Justice. These things are all in your mind. But, deep down is always that secret desire to be Sgt. Alvin York or Lt. Audie Murphy. The desire to shine and be recognized above others. The desire to strike at least one good hard blow for what is right and knowing that it's right!. That's why I hated playing those old Cold War games. Never being able to tell people what had really happened and what you had really done. What people did know about is now portrayed as being ambiguous, as if there were no real right or wrong side. I am honored to have served my country but some of it stuck in my craw.
So, to answer your question. To me fantasy is something that lifts you above yourself. Makes you want to have been that person and done those things. Of course, then he or she rides off into the sunset without much reward! But deep inside, they are thinking: "I am the baddest bastard in the land and a just warrior!"
And now this tired old Cold Warrior is done with his maudlin, philosophical ramblings for the evening.
"Gad! I'm such a genius! - Wile E. Coyote