Modern Fantasy
Modern fantasy is probably the most difficult genre to write. It is distinguished by story elements that violate the natural, physical laws of our known world such as talking animals, imaginary worlds, fanciful characters (hobbits, dwarves, giants), and magical beings, (witches, wizards, genies). Authors must create a new set of physical laws, have strong believable characters, have strong, credible plot, and examine issues of the human condition. The following are some notable authors.
Categories of modern fantasy
Modern fantasy stories are sometimes categorised by the type of story element used.
Fantasy motifs
There are 6 basic fantasy motifs. If a story contains all six, it is classified as a classic fairy tale or modern high fantasy. If a story contains fantasy’s one required ingredient, the motif of magic or the violation of our world’s physical laws, it is still classified as fantasy literature.
1) Magic |
2) other worlds |
3) good versus evil |
4) heroism |
5) Special Character types |
6) fantastic objects |
science fiction
Science fiction generally appears in modern fantasy. However, Science fiction differs from fantasy because of its aim. Science fiction aims to suggest real hypotheses about mankind's future or about the nature of the universe. It also concerns the way in which scientific possibilities might affect societies of human or alien beings or both. Examples of Science fiction books are shown below.
Aliens ate my homework |
A Wrinkle in time |
Author: Bruce Coville
Place of Publication: New York Publisher: Aladdin Date of Publication: May 8, 2007 Young Rod Allbright cannot lie so when his teacher asks what happened to last night's math homework, he had to say the only answer he could: " Aliens ate my homework, Miss Maloney!" Of course, no one believed him. But, aliens really did eat his homework and he is sworn to secrecy about their presence. After all, he is about to be a part of a top-secret mission to help them! Find out more about Rod's adventures by reading Bruce Coville's series: I Left My Sneakers in Dimension X, The Search for Snout, and Aliens Stole my Body. Picture source: http://www.brucecoville.com/books.asp?tid=130 |
Author: Madeleine L’Engle
Place of Publication: New York Publisher: Square Fish Date of Publication: May 1, 2007 On a dark and stormy night, Meg Murry, her brother Charles Wallace and her mother come down to the kitchen for a midnight snack. All of a sudden, a stranger arrives! Mrs. Whatsit, their visitor, assures them that she is there to help. She tells them about the existence of a tesseract – a sort of “wrinkle” in space and time and how they must use it to find Mr. Murry, Meg’s missing father! Can they trust Mrs. Whatsit? Where is Meg’s father? Find out more about the Wallace family and their exciting adventures by reading Madeline L'Engle's Time Quintet: A Wrinkle in Time, A Wind in the Door, A Swiftly Tilting Planet, Many Waters, and An Acceptable Time. Picture source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Wrinkle_in_Time |
The giver |
The Hunger games |
Author: Lois Lowry
Place of Publication: United States Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Date of Publication:1993 Twelve-year-old Jonas lives in a “perfect” community where everyone does what they are told and are content with everything. One day, he is given his life assignment. He is now the Receiver of Memory! As he begins to receive memories, he learns about the dark, complex secrets that his “perfect” community has been hiding. What will he do with this new knowledge? Picture source: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3636.The_Giver After reading The Giver, find out how others survived in this "perfect" community by reading Lois Lowry's Gathering Blue, Messenger, and Son. This story turned into a movie! Watch the trailer of The Giver below. Video found on https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iJNNugNe0Wo
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Author: Suzanne Collins
Place of Publication: New York Publisher: Scholastic Corporation Date of Publication: September 14, 2008 The nation of Panem is formed from a post-apocalyptic North America. It is a country that consists of a wealthy Capitol region surrounded by 12 poorer districts. To keep these districts in line, the Capitol has created an annual televised event known as the Hunger Games. For this event, each district must yield one boy and one girl between the ages of 12 and 18 to participate in the games. The selected "tributes" are forced to fight to the death, leaving only one survivor. When 16-year-old Katniss Everdeen's younger sister, Primrose, is selected as District 12's female tribute, she volunteers to take her place. She may have been able to save her sister's life but can she save her own? Picture source: http://thehungergames.wikia.com/wiki/The_Hunger_Games After reading The Hunger Games, finish the trilogy by reading Suzanne Collins's Catching Fire, and Mockingjay. This story turned into a movie! Watch the trailer of The Hunger Games below. Video found on https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mfmrPu43DF8
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The truth in fantasy
Many people miss the point that fantasy actually tells the truth about life. It clarifies the human condition and captures the essence of our deepest emotions, dreams, hopes, and fears.
Websites to the best Modern fantasy books
Want to find good books to read? Click on any of the buttons below to see a list of the best modern fantasy books.
references
Tunnell, M., Jacobs, J.S., Young, T., & Bryan, G. (2012). Children's Literature: Briefly. Boston: Pearson Education Inc., pp. 120-127.
*Other images can be found in Goodreads.
*Other images can be found in Goodreads.
This page was created by Jarryd Figueroa and Maribeth Marfega.