Into the Fire

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Passionate: right or wrong. Writes love stories with a passion. Raw Romantic Redemptive

Fantasyland?

 

 

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It's no secret I'm not a fan of the fantasy genre. Period. I can't sit through the Lord of the Rings films, and I've only watched the first in the Narnia movies all the way to the finish. Believe me when I say I can appreciate the talent involved in both writing the imaginative tales and constructing the elaborate films filled with magnificent special effects, but . . . I'm not into any of it. I can do science fiction before I can do fantasy, and sci-fi is definitely not my favorite.       

 

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My cyber-friend Rebecca Luella Miller has done her level best to convince me that I'm missing out on some wonderful literature by refusing to indulge the fantasy genre. The platform it presents for the universal good v. evil conflict is epic and allows for the creative genius of many to develop multiple scenarios to point to spiritual truths (among other things) in the demonstration of this ever present war. I know she shakes her head when I staunchly decline to budge on my views. Fantasy does not appeal to me. Not even remotely. Ranks right up there with Amish fiction in the least desirable category. Truth is I'd read an Amish novel before I'd read a fantasy novel.

 

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This aversion does not apply to supernatural suspense. As long as the author doesn't veer too far away from the biblical perspective of the spiritual warfare we all face, bring it. Do it well and I'm so there. Why? Because it isn't fantasy. It's bona fide real. And contemporary. And ancient. And critical. And easily incorporated into stories of ordinary or extraordinary people, not made up creatures living similar to humanity with the same objectives, good or bad.

 

So. There you have it. Fantasy lovers, feel free to engage. However, you won't change my mind. Sorry.

Father, I know you spark the imaginations of your people in many ways. I guess I'm earthly and heavenly and nothing in between. Thank you for loving us all. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

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6 responses to “Fantasyland?”

  1. BK Jackson Avatar
    BK Jackson

    I’m with you there. I don’t read fantasy either. Not because I dislike it (and I too have only seen the first Narnia film) but because I’m practical–there is so much story-telling to be set in the real world, I want to examine life’s issues in the real world. Perhaps when I’ve exhausted examining issues in the real world (as if that’s likely to happen) my mind will be ready to entertain the fantasy genre.
    BUT–someone could argue with me and say “Yeah, but you like Star Trek novels. That’s not real!” And I guess I’d have a hard time splitting the hairs on that. Science Fiction like that isn’t real but somehow it’s easier to perceive it’s where we could be down the road.
    Of course I haven’t read sci-fi in a while because the good Star Trek writers have disappeared from the face of the earth.
    Though I can’t honestly say I know what the definition of fantasy fiction is.

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  2. Nicole Avatar
    Nicole

    I don’t entertain ever considering fantasy. Ever.

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  3. Brenda Anderson Avatar
    Brenda Anderson

    I’m willing to sample any genre, and have tried reading a few modern fantasies, but I tend to set them down. I don’t know if it’s all the made-up words & funky names authors use that annoy me, or if I just like my reading based in reality.
    That said, I loved the Lord of the Rings novels & movies and the Narnia movies. Why? I couldn’t tell you. 😉

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  4. Nicole Avatar
    Nicole

    Probably because they’re the “glass slipper” of fantasy and superbly written from what I’ve been told . . . can’t (and won’t) say from personal experience. 😉 Thanks for chiming in, Bren.

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  5. dayle Avatar
    dayle

    Most fantasy comes off rather cartoonish, contrived, or cliche. There are always those in every genre which transend the genre and amass a universal audience with universal appeal.
    The Hobbit is one of those. It is in my opinion better than The Lord of The Rings.

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  6. Nicole Avatar
    Nicole

    “Cartoonish” might be the key for me. Whether it’s the critters, characters, etc., or the actions of such, it’s just not entertaining for me. The amazing special effects in film that bring them to life are impressive without a doubt, but I’m just not into it/them in print or film.

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