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Birdland · 04-10-2002, 08:00 AM

Fingolas - Let me humbly offer my list from the "What other fantasy books..." thread.

Many of the books that I recommend may have some elements of fantasy, but it is secondary to the character development and descriptive narrative. Only two are in the format of a "trilogy". Many would argue that some are not "fantasy" books at all, which may be true. The reason I love these books is that all the authors will take the elements of legends and myths, and look behind them to find their "human" heart.

(BTW - A lot of these are based on Arthurian legend, a favorite topic of mine.)

First and foremost - The Once and Future King by T.H. White. White was a contemporary of Tolkien, and his Arthurian legend starts out as almost reading like a children's book, but as the characters grow older, they and the novel lose this innocence, and it become a very sad, and deeply moving novel.

Mary Stewart's "Merlin Quartet" - Follows the life of Merlin from childhood to old age. Merlin has "The Gift", but otherwise, Stewart has taken the legend of Merlin and explained it in terms of ancient British and Roman history.

Gormanghast Trilogy - Mervyn Peakes - Very dark, bizarre and twisted tale. Few magical elements. Maybe you could describe it as gothic romance with a twist of Edward Gorey.

Winter's Tale - Mark Helprin - An alternative history of New York City with fantasy elements, such as the Flying Horse, the "white wall", the Rainbow Bridge, and the Wild Men of the marshes.

Prince Ombra - Rodrick MacLeish - sadly may be out of print. Classical fantasy set in modern times. The child protagonist is selected to be "The Hero of the Borrowed Heart", but must face Ombra, the Ultimate Evil, before he is grown. Gives some great background on the creation of legends and myths.

Little, Big - John Crowley. Crowley is my own "lost author", I read him in the 80s, but for some reason do not have any of his books now. I'm correcting that now through e-Bay. Little Big is a multi-generational tale of an American mansion surrounded by an alternative world of Fairie. Also try "Engine Summer". An alternative history of Britain where technology never advances beyond the Steam Age. (I think I'm remembering that right. Dang it! What happened to my Crowley???!!!)

Lastly and lovingly - The Last Unicorn - Peter S. Beagle. A true fantasy novel written with gentle humor and stunning descriptive narrative. A knee-slapping, heart tugging gem! For me, Beagles later works have never matched this incredible novel, but I'd highly recommend "A Fine and Private Place" and "Tamsin" as well. Both ghost stories actually, but wonderful novels.

Well, there you go. You may not like my suggestions, but at least none of them are your typical "three-pack" cut-and-paste, "Tolkien Lite" fantasies that you'll find in the "Genre" section of your local bookstores.

[ April 10, 2002: Message edited by: Birdland ]

04-10-2002, 08:00 AM	#14
Birdland Ghastly Neekerbreeker Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: the banks of the mighty Scioto Posts: 1,751	Fingolas - Let me humbly offer my list from the "What other fantasy books..." thread. Many of the books that I recommend may have some elements of fantasy, but it is secondary to the character development and descriptive narrative. Only two are in the format of a "trilogy". Many would argue that some are not "fantasy" books at all, which may be true. The reason I love these books is that all the authors will take the elements of legends and myths, and look behind them to find their "human" heart. (BTW - A lot of these are based on Arthurian legend, a favorite topic of mine.) First and foremost - The Once and Future King by T.H. White. White was a contemporary of Tolkien, and his Arthurian legend starts out as almost reading like a children's book, but as the characters grow older, they and the novel lose this innocence, and it become a very sad, and deeply moving novel. Mary Stewart's "Merlin Quartet" - Follows the life of Merlin from childhood to old age. Merlin has "The Gift", but otherwise, Stewart has taken the legend of Merlin and explained it in terms of ancient British and Roman history. Gormanghast Trilogy - Mervyn Peakes - Very dark, bizarre and twisted tale. Few magical elements. Maybe you could describe it as gothic romance with a twist of Edward Gorey. Winter's Tale - Mark Helprin - An alternative history of New York City with fantasy elements, such as the Flying Horse, the "white wall", the Rainbow Bridge, and the Wild Men of the marshes. Prince Ombra - Rodrick MacLeish - sadly may be out of print. Classical fantasy set in modern times. The child protagonist is selected to be "The Hero of the Borrowed Heart", but must face Ombra, the Ultimate Evil, before he is grown. Gives some great background on the creation of legends and myths. Little, Big - John Crowley. Crowley is my own "lost author", I read him in the 80s, but for some reason do not have any of his books now. I'm correcting that now through e-Bay. Little Big is a multi-generational tale of an American mansion surrounded by an alternative world of Fairie. Also try "Engine Summer". An alternative history of Britain where technology never advances beyond the Steam Age. (I think I'm remembering that right. Dang it! What happened to my Crowley???!!!) Lastly and lovingly - The Last Unicorn - Peter S. Beagle. A true fantasy novel written with gentle humor and stunning descriptive narrative. A knee-slapping, heart tugging gem! For me, Beagles later works have never matched this incredible novel, but I'd highly recommend "A Fine and Private Place" and "Tamsin" as well. Both ghost stories actually, but wonderful novels. Well, there you go. You may not like my suggestions, but at least none of them are your typical "three-pack" cut-and-paste, "Tolkien Lite" fantasies that you'll find in the "Genre" section of your local bookstores. [ April 10, 2002: Message edited by: Birdland ]