A genre of speculative fiction built on supernatural or magical elements, frequently set in wholly imagined worlds with their own histories, creatures and systems of magic that need not answer to natural law or documented history. Supernatural material runs throughout earlier literary history, but the modern literary genre is usually dated from George MacDonald's Phantastes (1858), widely considered the first fantasy novel written for an adult readership; the genre did not reach a mass popular audience until J.R.R. Tolkien's The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, especially in their 1960s paperback editions, carried it into the literary mainstream.
Facts
Notable ExampleGeorge MacDonald, Phantastes (1858); J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit (1937) and The Lord of the Rings (1954-1955). 1 Defining TraitA genre of speculative fiction built on supernatural or magical elements, frequently set in wholly imagined worlds with their own histories, creatures and systems of magic that need not answer to natural law or documented history. 1 Defining Trait Disputed
Place of OriginModern literary origin usually dated to Victorian Britain. 1 Supernatural material runs throughout earlier literary history worldwide, but the modern literary GENRE, as opposed to myth, folktale or romance, is usually dated from George MacDonald's Phantastes (1858), widely considered the first fantasy novel written for an adult readership; where exactly that boundary should be drawn is itself debated in genre scholarship. FAQs
How is fantasy told apart from science fiction?
Fantasy builds the impossible while science fiction stays grounded in the scientifically plausible.
Many prominent theorists hold that fantasy can generally be distinguished from science fiction by the plausibility of the narrative elements. A science fiction story may be about the unlikely while staying grounded in what is scientifically plausible, whereas fantasy narratives construct the impossible.
Connections
Encompasses Form
Features Author
1Q84, Works Source 1Q84 (Wikipedia)
Source Wikipedia: Baron Munchausen's Narrative of His Marvellous Travels and Campaigns in Russia
Source Blood Heir (Wikipedia)
Source Wikipedia: C. S. Lewis
Source E. T. A. Hoffmann (Wikipedia)
Source George R. R. Martin (Wikipedia)
Source Gulliver's Travels (Wikipedia)
Source H. P. Lovecraft (Wikipedia)
Source Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (Wikipedia)
Source Harry Potter in Calcutta (Wikipedia)
Source J. K. Rowling (Wikipedia)
The success of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings ignited mainstream interest in fantasy and led to his popular identification as the father of modern fantasy literature.
Source J. R. R. Tolkien (Wikipedia)
Source James Blaylock (Wikipedia)
Source Wikidata: Joaquin Gutierrez Mangel
Additional Source Joaquín Gutiérrez (Wikipedia)Infobox: genre
Source Journey to the West (Wikipedia)
Source M. John Harrison (Wikipedia)
Source Robert E. Howard (Open Library)
Source Sergei Lukyanenko (Wikipedia)
Source Silvana De Mari (Wikipedia)
Source Wikipedia: Suzanne Collins
Source Wikipedia: Ted Chiang
Source Wikipedia: The Adventures of Pinocchio
Source The Dream-Quest of Unknown Kadath (Wikipedia)
Source The Hobbit (Wikipedia)
Source The Little Mermaid (Wikipedia)
Source The Lord of the Rings (Wikipedia)
Source Wikipedia: Mabinogion
Source Tim Powers (Wikipedia)
Source Wikipedia: Ursula K. Le Guin
Source Wikipedia: Xu Zhonglin (novelist)
Source Wikipedia: Yangsze Choo
Subgenres
Source Bangsian fantasy (Wikipedia)
Source Children's fantasy - Wikipedia
Source Contemporary fantasy, Wikipedia
Source Cozy fantasy, Wikipedia
Source Dark Fantasy (Wikipedia)
Source Fairytale fantasy - Wikipedia
Source Fantasy comedy - Wikipedia
Source Fantasy of manners, Wikipedia
Source Shenmo Fiction (Wikipedia)
Source Hard fantasy - Wikipedia
Source High fantasy, Wikipedia
Source Historical fantasy (Wikipedia)
Source Lost world - Wikipedia
Source Low fantasy, Wikipedia
Source Magical girl (Wikipedia)
Source Romantic fantasy (Wikipedia)
Source Romantic fantasy (Wikipedia)
Source Shenmo Fiction (Wikipedia)
Source Sword and Sorcery (Wikipedia)
Source Urban Fantasy (Wikipedia)
Source Xianxia (Wikipedia)
Source Xuanhuan (Wikipedia)
Sources
1. Fantasy (Wikipedia)
Wikimedia Foundation (Wikipedia)- lead and History sections
Lead section
Fantasy is a genre of speculative fiction that involves supernatural or magical elements, often including completely imaginary realms and creatures.
Lead paragraph, defining sentence
Fantasy is a genre of speculative fiction that involves supernatural or magical elements, often including completely imaginary realms and creatures.
View the Source The Hobbit (Wikipedia)
Wikimedia Foundation (Wikipedia)on the paperback editions and the genre's mass market
Sullivan credits the first publication of The Hobbit as an important step in the development of high fantasy...essential to the creation of a mass market for fiction of this kind
Features Author: The Hobbit, Lead, opening
The Hobbit, or There and Back Again is a children's fantasy novel by the English author J. R. R. Tolkien. It was published in 1937 to wide critical acclaim
View the Source J. R. R. Tolkien (Wikipedia)
Wikimedia Foundation (Wikipedia)Features Author: J. R. R. Tolkien, lead section, fantasy genreQuote, Features Author: J. R. R. Tolkien, lead section, fantasy genre
While many other authors had published works of fantasy before Tolkien, the tremendous success of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings ignited a profound interest in the fantasy genre ... This has led to his popular identification as the 'father' of modern fantasy literature.
The Lord of the Rings (Wikipedia)
Wikimedia Foundation (Wikipedia)Features Author: The Lord of the Rings, Reception sectionQuote, Features Author: The Lord of the Rings, Reception section
It is considered one of the most influential fantasy books ever written, and has helped to create and shape the modern fantasy genre.
Gulliver's Travels (Wikipedia)
Wikimedia FoundationFeatures Author: Gulliver's Travels, Lead section, genre (fantasy)Quote, Features Author: Gulliver's Travels, Lead section, genre (fantasy)
Satire, fantasy, Science fiction, traveller's tale
1Q84 (Wikipedia)
Wikimedia FoundationFeatures Author: 1Q84, Wikipedia categoriesQuote, Features Author: 1Q84, Wikipedia categories
Japanese magical realism novels
Wikipedia: C. S. Lewis
Features Author: C. S. Lewis, WorksQuote, Features Author: C. S. Lewis, Works
The Chronicles of Narnia, considered a classic of children's literature, is a series of seven fantasy novels.
E. T. A. Hoffmann (Wikipedia)
Features Author: E. T. A. Hoffmann, English Wikipedia, lead [in-genre]Quote, Features Author: E. T. A. Hoffmann, English Wikipedia, lead [in-genre]
a German Romantic author of fantasy and gothic horror
James Blaylock (Wikipedia)
Features Author: James Blaylock, LeadQuote, Features Author: James Blaylock, Lead
is an American fantasy author
George R. R. Martin (Wikipedia)
Features Author: George R. R. Martin, LeadQuote, Features Author: George R. R. Martin, Lead
epic fantasy novel series A Song of Ice and Fire
Robert E. Howard (Open Library)
Features Author: Robert E. Howard, Open Library author search record, top_subjectsQuote, Features Author: Robert E. Howard, Open Library author search record, top_subjects
Fiction, fantasy, general
Silvana De Mari (Wikipedia)
Features Author: Silvana De Mari, Lead, second paragraphQuote, Features Author: Silvana De Mari, Lead, second paragraph
an award-winning fantasy novel
Tim Powers (Wikipedia)
Features Author: Tim Powers, English Wikipedia article, lead section [in-genre]Quote, Features Author: Tim Powers, English Wikipedia article, lead section [in-genre]
is an American science fiction and fantasy author
Sergei Lukyanenko (Wikipedia)
Features Author: Sergei Lukyanenko, Lead paragraphQuote, Features Author: Sergei Lukyanenko, Lead paragraph
is a Russian science fiction and fantasy author, writing in Russian
M. John Harrison (Wikipedia)
Features Author: M. John Harrison, Lead paragraphQuote, Features Author: M. John Harrison, Lead paragraph
one of the major stylists of modern fantasy and science fiction
Xianxia (Wikipedia)
Wikimedia Foundation (Wikipedia)Subgenres: Xianxia, Lead paragraphQuote, Subgenres: Xianxia, Lead paragraph
is a genre of Chinese fantasy literature
Isekai (Wikipedia)
Wikimedia Foundation (Wikipedia)Subgenres: Isekai, Lead paragraphQuote, Subgenres: Isekai, Lead paragraph
is a subgenre of Japanese fantasy and science fiction
Magical girl (Wikipedia)
Subgenres: Magical Girl, Lead paragraphQuote, Subgenres: Magical Girl, Lead paragraph
is a subgenre of Japanese fantasy media
Romantic fantasy (Wikipedia)
Subgenres: Romantic Fantasy, Lead paragraph
is a subgenre of the broader genres of fantasy fiction and romance fiction
Subgenres: Romantasy, Lead paragraph
is a subgenre of the broader genres of fantasy fiction and romance fiction
View the SourceDark Fantasy (Wikipedia)
Wikimedia FoundationSubgenres: Dark Fantasy, Lead paragraphQuote, Subgenres: Dark Fantasy, Lead paragraph
is a subgenre of fantasy
High fantasy, Wikipedia
Subgenres: High Fantasy, Lead paragraphQuote, Subgenres: High Fantasy, Lead paragraph
is a subgenre of fantasy
Low fantasy, Wikipedia
Subgenres: Low Fantasy, Lead paragraphQuote, Subgenres: Low Fantasy, Lead paragraph
is a subgenre of fantasy fiction
Contemporary fantasy, Wikipedia
Subgenres: Contemporary Fantasy, Lead paragraphQuote, Subgenres: Contemporary Fantasy, Lead paragraph
is a subgenre of fantasy
Cozy fantasy, Wikipedia
Subgenres: Cozy Fantasy, Lead paragraphQuote, Subgenres: Cozy Fantasy, Lead paragraph
is a subgenre of fantasy fiction
Fantasy of manners, Wikipedia
Subgenres: Fantasy of Manners, Lead paragraphQuote, Subgenres: Fantasy of Manners, Lead paragraph
is a subgenre of fantasy literature
Children's fantasy - Wikipedia
Subgenres: Children's Fantasy, Lead paragraphQuote, Subgenres: Children's Fantasy, Lead paragraph
is a subgenre of fantasy literature
Lost world - Wikipedia
Subgenres: Lost World, Lead paragraphQuote, Subgenres: Lost World, Lead paragraph
is a subgenre of the fantasy or science fiction genres
Fantasy comedy - Wikipedia
Subgenres: Fantasy Comedy, Lead paragraphQuote, Subgenres: Fantasy Comedy, Lead paragraph
is a subgenre of fantasy
Fairytale fantasy - Wikipedia
Subgenres: Fairytale Fantasy, Lead paragraphQuote, Subgenres: Fairytale Fantasy, Lead paragraph
is a subgenre of fantasy
Sword and Sorcery (Wikipedia)
Wikimedia FoundationSubgenres: Sword and Sorcery, Lead paragraphQuote, Subgenres: Sword and Sorcery, Lead paragraph
is a sub-genre of fantasy literature
Urban Fantasy (Wikipedia)
Wikimedia FoundationSubgenres: Urban Fantasy, Lead paragraphQuote, Subgenres: Urban Fantasy, Lead paragraph
is a subgenre of fantasy
Shenmo Fiction (Wikipedia)
Wikimedia FoundationSubgenres: Shenmo Fiction, Lead
Gods and demons fiction or shenmo fiction (traditional Chinese: 神魔小說; simplified Chinese: 神魔小说; pinyin: shénmó xiǎoshuō) is a subgenre of Chinese fantasy fiction that revolves around the deities, immortals, demons and monsters of Chinese mythology.
Subgenres: Gods and Demons Fiction, Lead
Gods and demons fiction or shenmo fiction (traditional Chinese: 神魔小說; simplified Chinese: 神魔小说; pinyin: shénmó xiǎoshuō) is a subgenre of Chinese fantasy fiction that revolves around the deities, immortals, demons and monsters of Chinese mythology.
View the Source Historical fantasy (Wikipedia)
Subgenres: Historical Fantasy, LeadQuote, Subgenres: Historical Fantasy, Lead
Historical fantasy is a category of fantasy and genre of historical fiction that incorporates fantastic elements (such as magic) into a more "realistic" narrative.
Bangsian fantasy (Wikipedia)
Subgenres: Bangsian Fantasy, Lead paragraph, sentence naming the parent genreQuote, Subgenres: Bangsian Fantasy, Lead paragraph, sentence naming the parent genre
Bangsian fantasy is a fantasy genre which concerns the use of the afterlife as the main setting within which its characters, who may be famous preexisting historical or fictional figures, act and interact.
Xuanhuan (Wikipedia)
Wikimedia FoundationSubgenres: Xuanhuan, Lead sentenceQuote, Subgenres: Xuanhuan, Lead sentence
is a Chinese fantasy genre
Hard fantasy - Wikipedia
Subgenres: Hard Fantasy, Lead sentenceQuote, Subgenres: Hard Fantasy, Lead sentence
different types of fantasy literature
J. K. Rowling (Wikipedia)
Features Author: J. K. Rowling, Lead, genreQuote, Features Author: J. K. Rowling, Lead, genre
The series revived fantasy as a genre in the children's market
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (Wikipedia)
Features Author: Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, Lead, genreQuote, Features Author: Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, Lead, genre
is a fantasy novel by British author J. K. Rowling
The Little Mermaid (Wikipedia)
Wikimedia FoundationFeatures Author: The Little Mermaid, Infobox, genre fieldQuote, Features Author: The Little Mermaid, Infobox, genre field
Genre: Fantasy, fairy tale
Journey to the West (Wikipedia)
Wikimedia FoundationFeatures Author: Journey to the West, Infobox, genre fieldQuote, Features Author: Journey to the West, Infobox, genre field
Genre: Shenmo, Chinese mythology, xianxia, fantasy, adventure
Wikipedia: Baron Munchausen's Narrative of His Marvellous Travels and Campaigns in Russia
WikipediaFeatures Author: Baron Munchausen's Narrative of His Marvellous Travels and Campaigns in Russia, Infobox, genre fieldQuote, Features Author: Baron Munchausen's Narrative of His Marvellous Travels and Campaigns in Russia, Infobox, genre field
Genre: Fiction, fantasy
Wikipedia: The Adventures of Pinocchio
WikipediaFeatures Author: The Adventures of Pinocchio, Infobox, genre fieldQuote, Features Author: The Adventures of Pinocchio, Infobox, genre field
Genre: Fantasy, adventure, children's literature
The Dream-Quest of Unknown Kadath (Wikipedia)
Features Author: The Dream-Quest of Unknown Kadath, Infobox, genre fieldQuote, Features Author: The Dream-Quest of Unknown Kadath, Infobox, genre field
Genre: Horror, fantasy
H. P. Lovecraft (Wikipedia)
Wikimedia Foundation (Wikipedia)Features Author: H. P. Lovecraft, Infobox, genre fieldQuote, Features Author: H. P. Lovecraft, Infobox, genre field
Genre: Lovecraftian horror, dark fantasy, weird fiction, horror fiction, mythopoeia, science fiction, fantasy
Wikipedia: Ted Chiang
Features Author: Ted Chiang, Infobox, genre fieldQuote, Features Author: Ted Chiang, Infobox, genre field
Genre: Science fiction, fantasy
Wikipedia: Ursula K. Le Guin
Features Author: Ursula K. Le Guin, Infobox, genre fieldQuote, Features Author: Ursula K. Le Guin, Infobox, genre field
Genre:
Wikipedia: Yangsze Choo
Features Author: Yangsze Choo, Infobox, genre fieldQuote, Features Author: Yangsze Choo, Infobox, genre field
Genre: Fantasy
Joaquín Gutiérrez (Wikipedia)
Features Author: Joaquín Gutiérrez Mangel, Infobox: genreQuote, Features Author: Joaquín Gutiérrez Mangel, Infobox: genre
Fantasy, children's, socialist realism
Harry Potter in Calcutta (Wikipedia)
Features Author: Harry Potter in Calcutta, Lead sectionQuote, Features Author: Harry Potter in Calcutta, Lead section
Harry Potter in Calcutta, also called Harry Potter Kolkataye, is a 2003 Indian Bengali language children's fantasy novel written by Uttam Ghosh and published by Nandita Publishers.
Wikipedia: Xu Zhonglin (novelist)
Features Author: Xu Zhonglin, Lead sectionQuote, Features Author: Xu Zhonglin, Lead section
Xu Zhonglin (traditional Chinese: 許仲琳; simplified Chinese: 许仲琳; died 1560) was a Chinese fantasy novelist who lived during the Ming dynasty.
Wikipedia: Suzanne Collins
Features Author: Suzanne Collins, Lead sectionQuote, Features Author: Suzanne Collins, Lead section
She is also the author of the children's fantasy series The Underland Chronicles.
Wikipedia: Mabinogion
Features Author: The Mabinogion, Lead sectionQuote, Features Author: The Mabinogion, Lead section
Often included in the broader mythologies described as the Matter of Britain, the Mabinogion consists of eleven stories of widely different types, offering drama, philosophy, romance, tragedy, fantasy and humour.
Blood Heir (Wikipedia)
Features Author: Blood Heir, Lead sectionQuote, Features Author: Blood Heir, Lead section
Blood Heir is a 2019 fantasy young adult novel by Amélie Wen Zhao.
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