Are There Any Valid Criticisms? (aka Kalessin's Rant) - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Nar · 04-20-2002, 09:04 PM

Maril, I think you're right (but not about the hunk on the horse being a catholic (arche-) type! As you say, 'Perhaps not.') It seems many authors feel they will have no chance of a close reading of their work if they call it fantasy, so they do not-- even if their work is not only speculative, not only contains fantastic or surreal elements, but is actually set in an altered reality. I think much of literature aims at that hypnotic shift into a strange place that I associate with fantasy-- but this takes place far away from the fantasy genre, and the cross-fertilization of new techniques and themes I'd like to see, mainly for the sake of the fantasy genre, does not occur. Considering the three roles we may engage in, as writers, readers and middlemen (publishers, critics, elements in a word-of-mouth network), what can be done? Or should anything be done?

[ April 20, 2002: Message edited by: Nar ]

04-20-2002, 09:04 PM	#11
Nar Wight Join Date: Apr 2002 Posts: 228	Maril, I think you're right (but not about the hunk on the horse being a catholic (arche-) type! As you say, 'Perhaps not.') It seems many authors feel they will have no chance of a close reading of their work if they call it fantasy, so they do not-- even if their work is not only speculative, not only contains fantastic or surreal elements, but is actually set in an altered reality. I think much of literature aims at that hypnotic shift into a strange place that I associate with fantasy-- but this takes place far away from the fantasy genre, and the cross-fertilization of new techniques and themes I'd like to see, mainly for the sake of the fantasy genre, does not occur. Considering the three roles we may engage in, as writers, readers and middlemen (publishers, critics, elements in a word-of-mouth network), what can be done? Or should anything be done? [ April 20, 2002: Message edited by: Nar ]