The Fantasy Quorum feat. Holly Black — Intentionally Blank Ep. 175
Oct 9, 2024
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Bestselling author Holly Black joins fantasy titans Brandon Sanderson and Dan Wells for an engaging discussion. They dive into the classification of Beowulf as fantasy and debate the best fantasy films, including an enthusiastic nod to 'The Lord of the Rings.' The trio explores the blurry lines between fantasy and sci-fi, tackling genre perceptions and the evolving landscape of storytelling. With wit and insight, they also address how younger generations shape modern fantasy narratives.
The podcast discusses the fluidity and evolving nature of genre definitions in literature, particularly in categorizing works like fantasy and science fiction.
The panel debates the subjective nature of ranking fantasy films, emphasizing how personal preferences shape perceptions of what constitutes fantasy cinema.
Deep dives
Is Beowulf Considered Fantasy?
The discussion explores whether Beowulf qualifies as a fantasy work, given that the author may have believed they were recounting historical events. There are arguments surrounding the author's intent and understanding of reality, as well as the nature of the fantastical elements such as Grendel and dragons. It is noted that many genres, including ghost stories, are accepted in literary fiction without being labeled as fantasy, based on the author's belief in the supernatural. Ultimately, this raises questions about how genre definitions can shift over time and influence the categorization of classic texts.
Ranking Fantasy Films
The conversation delves into the challenge of ranking fantasy films, starting with a consensus that the Lord of the Rings trilogy holds the top spot. Suggestions for the second-best fantasy film lead to a debate, with titles such as Pan's Labyrinth and How to Train Your Dragon being proposed. The distinction between films that present overt fantasy elements versus whimsical stories creates differing views on what constitutes fantasy cinema. This highlights how subjective personal preferences influence the perception of what defines a fantasy film.
Defining Fantasy in Literature
The discussion addresses the confusion around categorizing certain literary works as fantasy despite their authors' claims that they are not. Authors like Terry Brooks and Anne McCaffrey have sometimes attributed fantasy elements to their science fiction works, leading to debates on their appropriateness within genre boundaries. The notion of fantasy as a label becoming restrictive is highlighted, suggesting that the genres should be more inclusive. There’s an acknowledgment of the fluidity of genre definitions, especially as they evolve with new storytelling practices.
The Role of Fantasy in Modern Bookstores
The panel engages in a dialogue about how to effectively shelve fantasy books in contemporary bookstores amidst blurred genre lines. With horror often mingling with fantasy, there's an exploration of how different countries, like France, handle genre categorization more fluidly. The lack of dedicated horror sections in many stores raises issues of discoverability for readers seeking specific types of content. This conversation underscores the implications of genre labeling on reader access and the appreciation of fantasy literature in a wider literary context.
Brandon Sanderson, Dan Wells, and Holly Black convene as the Fantasy Quorum to answer the most difficult questions that modern fantasy writers face today.
Read Holly Black's interview on The Cognitive Realm: https://www.dragonsteelbooks.com/blogs/the-cognitive-realm/holly-black-how-to-write-addictive-stories
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Chapters (0:00) - Is Beowulf Fantasy? (4:37) - What is the Second Best Fantasy Film of all Time? (7:42) - The Fantasy Film You Stand By? (12:26) - Holly Blacks Foundational Fantasy Book (13:45) - Another Dan Hot Take (15:56) - Are Fantasy Books Hiding Sci-Fi REALLY Fantasy Books? (22:15) - Coolest Award in Fiction? (26:04) - Where Do You Shelve Horror in a Book Store? (30:51) - Should All Books Just Be Considered Fantasy and Sci-fi? (36:21) - Gimli's Axe...?
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