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Core Collections in Genre Studies Fantasy Fiction

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Core Collections in Genre Studies Fantasy Fiction the alert collector Neal Wyatt, Editor The second edition of the Reading List, RUSA’s juried selec- tion of the best genre books in eight different categories, was Core Collections announced at the ALA Midwinter Meeting this past January. The winning titles showcased the rich pleasures that genre books offer readers. To celebrate the creation of the Reading in Genre Studies List and to highlight the importance of genre fiction in library collections, I instituted an “Alert Collector” occasional series on genre fiction. The first column in the series focused on ro- Fantasy Fiction 101 mance fiction. This second entry focuses on fantasy fiction. Fantasy fiction is, like much of genre fiction, at the center of a storm. Motifs, approaches, and styles that were once its sole domain have spread out and entered other genres. Today it is often difficult to decide if a book is a fantasy or a horror Charlotte Burcher, Neil or a romance title. To the dismay of some purists, sometimes it is even hard to tell fantasy from science fiction. Forms are hollands, Andrew Smith, changing, genre lines are blurring, and new spin-off genres Barry trott, and Jessica are appearing. The richness of this genre world offers readers Zellers, Guest Columnists great new frontiers to explore, but it can be a bit of a headache for librarians trying to build collections, work with readers, Correspondence concerning this or even shelve titles in the most useful manner. column should be addressed to To help us get our bearings in this fabulously rich stew of Neal Wyatt, The Alert Collector, c/o books, I asked the Adult Services staff at Williamsburg Regional RUSA, 50 E. Huron, Chicago, IL 60611; Library (WRL) to look at the genre and map it out for read- [email protected]. Wyatt is a ers and librarians alike. I thought of WRL because several of Collection Development and Readers’ the staff there are known in readers’ advisory circles for their Advisory Librarian from Virginia. She knowledge of fantasy fiction and their appreciation of genres in wrote The Readers’ Advisory Guide general. Charlotte Burcher, who wrote the “Historical Fantasy” to Nonfiction (ALA Editions, 2007), is section, reads broadly in adult and young adult fantasy. She is an Editor of Library Journal’s “Reader’s a member of WRL’s Looking for a Good Book team and a regu- Shelf” column, and compiles LJ’s lar blogger on fantasy titles at Blogging for a Good Book. Neil weekly “Wyatt’s World Lists.” Hollands, who wrote the “Literary Fantasy” section, is the au- thor of Read On . Fantasy Fiction (Libraries Unlimited, 2007) Charlotte Burcher and Neil Hollands and coordinates WRL’s Looking for a Good Book service. He are both Adult Services Librarians at writes for Booklist Online’s Book Group Buzz blog and reviews the Williamsburg (Va.) Regional fantasy titles for Library Journal. Andrew Smith, who wrote Library (WRL). Andrew Smith is Read- the “Realistic Fantasy” section, is readers’ services librarian at ers’ Services Librarian, Barry Trott is WRL, where he implemented the library’s Gab Bags collection Adult Services Director, and Jessica for book discussion groups and coordinates the library’s book Zellers is Electronic Resources groups and author visits. He is a contributor to the NoveList Librarian at WRL. readalikes collection and develops reading lists as part of the WRL Looking for a Good Book team. WRL Adult Services Director Barry Trott, who wrote the “Epic Fantasy” section, is series editor for Libraries Unlimited’s Read On series and au- thor of Read On . Crime Fiction (Libraries Unlimited, 2008). He also writes for NoveList and edits the “Readers’ Advisory” column in RUSQ. Jessica Zellers, who wrote the “Paranormal/ Urban/Contemporary Fantasy” section, is electronic resources librarian at WRL. She is completing her first book on women’s 226 | Reference & User Services Quarterly Core Collections in Genre Studies nonfiction for Libraries Unlimited and is a regular contributor large map, giving an opportunity for authors to develop and of readalikes and articles to NoveList.—Editor explore their worlds. Series titles are common here as well. These tales take time to reach resolution. antasy is one of fiction’s largest and fastest growing Contemporary epic fantasy writers can hardly avoid be- genres. While there are many definitions, a generous ing compared to the early masters. E. R. Eddison, J. R. R. approach to the genre includes any work that contains Tolkien, and Lord Dunsany paved the way for writers like magic or other elements that cannot be understood Terry Brooks, Ursula K. Le Guin, David Eddings, Raymond fby the rules of reality. It also includes largely realistic works Feist, Jennifer Roberson, and Stephen Donaldson. Epic fan- set in imagined variations on certain historical periods—the tasy flourishes today with these writers and others producing medieval era in particular. exciting tales of high adventure. Readers come to these works Although fantasy does have escape value and is enjoyed looking for adventure on a sweeping scale, elegant language, by many readers for exactly this reason, it is a mistake to think and struggles between good and evil. of this as the genre’s only appeal. The best fantasy fiction fea- tures a wonderful blend of action, strong characters, and de- Bujold, Lois McMaster. Chalion series. The Curse of Chalion. tailed, atmospheric settings. Classical themes such as honor, New York: EOS, 2006. (ISBN 0061134244). love, war, revenge, responsibility, otherness, obsession, and Perhaps better known for science fiction, Bujold is also loyalty are explored in fantasy tales. Subjects such as bigotry, a master of high fantasy. Here, she presents a damaged hero, greed, religious extremism, politics, abuse, and addiction can betrayed by those he trusted, who returns to serve the royal be examined in fantasy contexts without offending cultural family. As tutor to the young royesse of Chalion, former sensitivities. Fantasy is a chameleon, taking in elements of nobleman Lupe dy Cazaril puts his life and honor at risk to historical, romance, crime, and adventure fiction, often in protect his charge and to revenge himself on his betrayers. the pages of the same book. Bujold presents a compelling mixture of magic, violence, and This article highlights five major types of fantasy: epic romance in this series starter. high fantasy, paranormal/urban/contemporary fantasy, his- torical fantasy, realistic fantasy, and literary fantasy. While this covers the largest subset of the genre, space does not Duncan, Dave. Tales of the King’s Blades series. The Gilded allow us to fully cover other important subgenres: political Chain: A Tale of the King’s Blades. New York: Avon Eos, c1998. fantasy, hero fantasy, dark fantasy, romantic fantasy and fan- (ISBN 9780380974603). tasy romance, humorous fantasy, fables, and science fantasy Duncan blends adventure, magic, politics, and swordplay most prominently. into a satisfying tale. This series starter sets the stage, a land Alert collectors should also note two other aspects of fan- with a medieval/feudal feel, and the premise, that a class of tasy: First, an appreciation of series and their reading order men is raised to be bound swordsmen to their liege lords. is critical to the genre. Series gaps in the collection reduce Duncan tells the life of the swordsman Durendal, bound by the enjoyment of readers and circulation of every series title. powerful magic to serve the king. Durendal and his band are Circulation of a series may languish until that series becomes sent on a quest to uncover the secrets of the distant city of known or nears completion, but then it will rise quickly. Samarinda. Second, while this article focuses on fantasy published for the adult market, collectors should understand that, more Hobb, Robin. Farseer trilogy. The Assassin’s Apprentice. New than in any other genre, young adult readers will explore the York: Bantam Books, 1995. (ISBN 055357339X). adult fantasy collection and, conversely, adult fantasy fans will Hobb has made her name with several epic high fantasy appreciate young adult and children’s fantasy works. Aware- series. The Farseer trilogy is Hobb at her best. She tells the ness of authors such as J. K. Rowling, Lloyd Alexander, Susan story of a prince’s by-blow, trained as an assassin to serve the Cooper, Brian Jacques, Diana Wynne Jones, Robin McKinley, royal family. Hobb is noted for her skilled and creative world- Garth Nix, Christopher Paolini, Tamora Pierce, Philip Pull- building and for the depth of her characters. She offers up a man, and Jonathan Stroud will behoove librarians trying to fine mix of adventure, political intrigue, and romance. satisfy fantasy readers. Jordan, Robert. The Wheel of Time series. The Eye of the EPiC hiGh Fantasy World. New York: Tor, 1990. (ISBN 0812500482). Jordan’s series is an epic undertaking in worldbuilding. When many readers think of fantasy fiction, they are really Over twelve books, Jordan takes readers on a far-reaching thinking of epic high fantasy. These stories, often rooted in journey across his fictional landscape. The series starter intro- Norse and Celtic mythology, feature elegant prose, large casts duces the heroes of the quest, who find themselves caught up of characters, arduous quests, and lots of magic. Objects in events far beyond their imagining, in a world where magic play an important role here; rings, chalices, and swords are and physical prowess battle for control. Complex characters, frequently keys to the success of the quest. A major appeal twisting plots, and a deft blend of action and description of epic fantasy is worldbuilding. These tales play out on a make this a potent series. volume 48, issue 3 | 227 the alert collector Kay, Guy Gavriel. Tigana. New York: Roc, 1990.
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