Well, I certainly need to be sure to post sooner next time, because I'm about to reiterate what most everyone has already said. Nevertheless, the defining point of fantasy seems to be the inexplicable -- a point in the narrative that the accepted conventions of our world can't seem to handle. Thus, we have wonderful fantastical creations, from whole new worlds (Middle Earth, Midkemia, Narnia) to little blue men in kilts (yay! I love Terry Pratchett!!). The genre itself is virtually inexhaustible, as limitless as the imagination.
I've already revealed some of my favorites in class, but for the sake of posterity here they are again: the films Willow and Labyrinth; works by Terry Pratchett, Raymond E. Feist, J.R.R. Tolkien, and J.K. Rowling; and the art of Brian Froud and Tony DiTerlizzi.
Like most of my classmates, my experience with fantasy hearkens all the way back to childhood. I've been the death of several tapes of Willow and Labyrinth, along with other classics like The Last Unicorn and Dark Crystal. My grandmother's own love for the fantastical also steered me towards fantasy books. Besides being an avid reader, I've also been drawing since I could wrap my little fingers around a crayon. My subject of choice as a child? Unicorns, mermaids, and other magical creatures of course! I'm still hooked on both fantasy novels and art, which I think spawns my love for children's books. I'm not embarrassed to say I've probably read most of the intermediate section at Books-A-Million. Adult fantasy doesn't seem to appreciate the value of awesome illustrations.
On a final note (as if I haven't already gone on forever), just to add something that no one else seems to have mentioned regarding experience, I've been to my share of fantasy conventions. DragonCon, held in Atlanta every fall, is the best place to see people in costume living out their fantasies. You can get your dork on shame free with hundreds of other fantasy lovers. Anne McCaffrey's Pern novels practically serve as a convention unto itself within the convention.
Meanwhile, see everyone tomorrow in class!
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2 comments:
That's cool that you've been to DragonCon. One of my best friends went to it this year. I'll definitely be going to it next year with her.
I wish I could draw :( Mermaids are my absolute favorite magical beings.... well, aside from the dark world type (vampires, etc). My fav disney movie is the little mermaid! I need to see it again. We should have a Disney movie day in class (hint hint). lol.
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