As I’ve written about extensively in my Writer’s Manifesto, I strongly believe that literature of the imagination (my preferred name for sci fi and fantasy in their many incarnations) is the best equipped to speak the truth about our world. But it’s not enough to read the fantasy section in your local bookstore.
There’s a rich tradition of literature of the imagination that doesn’t actually begin with Tolkien (Gasp!) And there is also good literature that came after him, though you have to wade through much nonsense to find it.
Some of you have been asking about my favorites and/or recommendations. I’ve finally taken some time to think about these and line them up for you. All of these have hyperlinks attached to them that will lead to Amazon sales pages. (They are affiliate links, which only means that if you buy them from my links, I’ll get a percentage from Amazon directly. A nice way to support your friendly neighborhood author).
Nicholas Kotar recommends:
Beowulf (the Seamus Heaney translation)
Evenings on a Farm Near Dikanka by N. Gogol
The Princess and the Goblin by George MacDonald
The Princess and Curdie by George MacDonald
At the Back of the North Wind by George MacDonald
Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carrol (this link will take you to the Annotated Alice, which is wonderful.
Through the Looking Glass by Lewis Carrol
The Story of King Arthur and His Knights by Howard Pyle
The Once and Future King by T.H. White
The Merlin Trilogy by Mary Stewart
The Lord of the Rings by J. R. R. Tolkien
The Silmarillion by J. R. R. Tolkien
That Hideous Strength by C. S. Lewis
The Chronicles of Prydain by Lloyd Alexander
The Earthsea Cycle by Ursula LeGuin
The Deed of Paksenarrion by Elizabeth Moon
The Book of the New Sun by Gene Wolfe
The Dreambood Duology by N. K. Jemisin
Speaker for the Dead by Orson Scott Card
The Martian Chronicles by Ray Bradbury
Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
The Dark is Rising series by Susan Cooper
Obviously, this is a small list. I’m sure I’m forgetting a whole bunch. Please jog my memory in the comments section!
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Books i would also consider
The Last Unicorn by Peter S. Beagle
Watership Down ny Richard Adams
Dune by Frank Herbrt
Book of the Dunn Cow by Walter Wanegrien
Silverlock by John Myers Myers
Gormenghast by Melvin Peake
Laurus by Eugene Vodolazin
Idyls of the King by Tennyson
Morte de Authur
Sir Gwain and the Green Knight
Chanson de Roland
The thousand and One Arabian Nights
The Little Prince by Antoine de St Auxbery
The Foundation Trilogy by Asimov
Stranger in a Strange Land by Robert Heinlein
Goodness yes! Pretty much all of these. I knew I forgot a bunch…
okay, okay, I’ll try George McDonald again,,, I wasn’t fond the first time with two of the books you mentioned.
oh, what about Madeleine L’engle? Anything by her.
yes, especially A Swiftly Tilting Planet. That’s my favorite.
Haroun and the Sea of Stories by Salman Rushdie
That’s a good one! It’s been a while since I’ve read it.
collections of Russian Folk tales that can be had in translation?
Leonard Magnu translations of some of Afanasyev’s collections.
Also the original books comprised a huge collection. Are there more?
Also
Terry Brooks The Sword of Shannara (Trilogy)
David Eddings The The Belgariad Great fun these.
Pawn of Prophecy
Queen of Sorcery
Magician’s Gambit
Castle of Wizardry
Enchanters’ End Game
The Malloreon
1. Guardians of the West (ISBN 0-345-35266-1)
2. King of the Murgos (ISBN 0-345-35880-5)
3. Demon Lord of Karanda (ISBN 0-345-36331-0)
4. Sorceress of Darshiva (ISBN 0-345-36935-1)
5. The Seeress of Kell (ISBN 0-345-37759-1)
Is there any way to participate in the book club if we’re not on Facebook?
Yes, it’s going to be hosted on another platform. I haven’t yet finished doing the necessary research. But it won’t be hosted on facebook, for sure.