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Genre

Fantasy

Speculative and Fantastic Fiction

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 Example
George MacDonald, Phantastes (1858); J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit (1937) and The Lord of the Rings (1954-1955). 1
Defining Trait
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. 1
Defining Trait
Setting and World 1
Disputed
Place of Origin
Modern 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.
Fantasy
Filter Results23 entries

Bangsian Fantasy

Fantasy

Children's Fantasy

Fantasy

Contemporary Fantasy

Fantasy

Cozy Fantasy

Fantasy

Dark Fantasy

Fantasy

Fairytale Fantasy

Fantasy

Fantasy Comedy

Fantasy

Fantasy of Manners

Fantasy

Gods and Demons Fiction

Fantasy

Hard Fantasy

Fantasy

High Fantasy

Fantasy

Historical Fantasy

Fantasy

Isekai

Fantasy

Lost World

Fantasy

Low Fantasy

Fantasy

Magical Girl

Fantasy

Romantasy

Fantasy

Romantic Fantasy

Fantasy

Shenmo Fiction

Fantasy

Sword and Sorcery

Fantasy

Urban Fantasy

Fantasy

Xianxia

Fantasy

Xuanhuan

Fantasy
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

Bangsian Fantasy, Genres
Chuanyue, Genres
Contemporary Fantasy, Genres
Cozy Fantasy, Genres
Dark Fantasy, Genres
Fairy Tale, Genres
Fantasy of Manners, Genres
Grimdark, Genres
High Fantasy, Genres
Historical Fantasy, Genres
Isekai, Genres
LitRPG, Genres
Low Fantasy, Genres
Magical Girl, Genres
Mythic Fiction, Genres
New Weird, Genres
Portal Fantasy, Genres
Romantic Fantasy, Genres
Science Fantasy, Genres
Shenmo Fiction, Genres
Superhero Fiction, Genres
Sword and Sorcery, Genres
Urban Fantasy, Genres
Weird Western, Genres
Xianxia, Genres
Xuanhuan, Genres

Features Author

1Q84, Works
Source 1Q84 (Wikipedia)
Baron Munchausen's Narrative of His Marvellous Travels and Campaigns in Russia, Works
Source Wikipedia: Baron Munchausen's Narrative of His Marvellous Travels and Campaigns in Russia
Blood Heir, Works
Source Blood Heir (Wikipedia)
C. S. Lewis, Authors
Source Wikipedia: C. S. Lewis
E. T. A. Hoffmann, Authors
Source E. T. A. Hoffmann (Wikipedia)
George R. R. Martin, Authors
Source George R. R. Martin (Wikipedia)
Gulliver's Travels, Works
Source Gulliver's Travels (Wikipedia)
H. P. Lovecraft, Authors
Source H. P. Lovecraft (Wikipedia)
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, Works
Source Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (Wikipedia)
Harry Potter in Calcutta, Works
Source Harry Potter in Calcutta (Wikipedia)
J. K. Rowling, Authors
Source J. K. Rowling (Wikipedia)
J. R. R. Tolkien, Authors

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)
James Blaylock, Authors
Source James Blaylock (Wikipedia)
Joaquín Gutiérrez Mangel, Authors
Source Wikidata: Joaquin Gutierrez Mangel
Additional Source Joaquín Gutiérrez (Wikipedia)Infobox: genre
Journey to the West, Works
Source Journey to the West (Wikipedia)
M. John Harrison, Authors
Source M. John Harrison (Wikipedia)
Robert E. Howard, Authors
Source Robert E. Howard (Open Library)
Sergei Lukyanenko, Authors
Source Sergei Lukyanenko (Wikipedia)
Silvana De Mari, Authors
Source Silvana De Mari (Wikipedia)
Suzanne Collins, Authors
Source Wikipedia: Suzanne Collins
Ted Chiang, Authors
Source Wikipedia: Ted Chiang
The Adventures of Pinocchio, Works
Source Wikipedia: The Adventures of Pinocchio
The Dream-Quest of Unknown Kadath, Works
Source The Dream-Quest of Unknown Kadath (Wikipedia)
The Hobbit, Works
Source The Hobbit (Wikipedia)
The Little Mermaid, Works
Source The Little Mermaid (Wikipedia)
The Lord of the Rings, Works
Source The Lord of the Rings (Wikipedia)
The Mabinogion, Works
Source Wikipedia: Mabinogion
Tim Powers, Authors
Source Tim Powers (Wikipedia)
Ursula K. Le Guin, Authors
Source Wikipedia: Ursula K. Le Guin
Xu Zhonglin, Authors
Source Wikipedia: Xu Zhonglin (novelist)
Yangsze Choo, Authors
Source Wikipedia: Yangsze Choo

Subgenres

Bangsian Fantasy, Genres
Source Bangsian fantasy (Wikipedia)
Children's Fantasy, Genres
Source Children's fantasy - Wikipedia
Contemporary Fantasy, Genres
Source Contemporary fantasy, Wikipedia
Cozy Fantasy, Genres
Source Cozy fantasy, Wikipedia
Dark Fantasy, Genres
Source Dark Fantasy (Wikipedia)
Fairytale Fantasy, Genres
Source Fairytale fantasy - Wikipedia
Fantasy Comedy, Genres
Source Fantasy comedy - Wikipedia
Fantasy of Manners, Genres
Source Fantasy of manners, Wikipedia
Gods and Demons Fiction, Genres
Source Shenmo Fiction (Wikipedia)
Hard Fantasy, Genres
Source Hard fantasy - Wikipedia
High Fantasy, Genres
Source High fantasy, Wikipedia
Historical Fantasy, Genres
Source Historical fantasy (Wikipedia)
Isekai, Genres
Source Isekai (Wikipedia)
Lost World, Genres
Source Lost world - Wikipedia
Low Fantasy, Genres
Source Low fantasy, Wikipedia
Magical Girl, Genres
Source Magical girl (Wikipedia)
Romantasy, Genres
Source Romantic fantasy (Wikipedia)
Romantic Fantasy, Genres
Source Romantic fantasy (Wikipedia)
Shenmo Fiction, Genres
Source Shenmo Fiction (Wikipedia)
Sword and Sorcery, Genres
Source Sword and Sorcery (Wikipedia)
Urban Fantasy, Genres
Source Urban Fantasy (Wikipedia)
Xianxia, Genres
Source Xianxia (Wikipedia)
Xuanhuan, Genres
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 genre
Quote, 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.
View the Source
The Lord of the Rings (Wikipedia)
Wikimedia Foundation (Wikipedia)Features Author: The Lord of the Rings, Reception section
Quote, 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.
View the Source
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
View the Source
1Q84 (Wikipedia)
Wikimedia FoundationFeatures Author: 1Q84, Wikipedia categories
Quote, Features Author: 1Q84, Wikipedia categories
Japanese magical realism novels
View the Source
Wikipedia: C. S. Lewis
Features Author: C. S. Lewis, Works
Quote, Features Author: C. S. Lewis, Works
The Chronicles of Narnia, considered a classic of children's literature, is a series of seven fantasy novels.
View the Source
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
View the Source
James Blaylock (Wikipedia)
Features Author: James Blaylock, Lead
Quote, Features Author: James Blaylock, Lead
is an American fantasy author
View the Source
George R. R. Martin (Wikipedia)
Features Author: George R. R. Martin, Lead
Quote, Features Author: George R. R. Martin, Lead
epic fantasy novel series A Song of Ice and Fire
View the Source
Robert E. Howard (Open Library)
Features Author: Robert E. Howard, Open Library author search record, top_subjects
Quote, Features Author: Robert E. Howard, Open Library author search record, top_subjects
Fiction, fantasy, general
View the Source
Silvana De Mari (Wikipedia)
Features Author: Silvana De Mari, Lead, second paragraph
Quote, Features Author: Silvana De Mari, Lead, second paragraph
an award-winning fantasy novel
View the Source
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
View the Source
Sergei Lukyanenko (Wikipedia)
Features Author: Sergei Lukyanenko, Lead paragraph
Quote, Features Author: Sergei Lukyanenko, Lead paragraph
is a Russian science fiction and fantasy author, writing in Russian
View the Source
M. John Harrison (Wikipedia)
Features Author: M. John Harrison, Lead paragraph
Quote, Features Author: M. John Harrison, Lead paragraph
one of the major stylists of modern fantasy and science fiction
View the Source
Xianxia (Wikipedia)
Wikimedia Foundation (Wikipedia)Subgenres: Xianxia, Lead paragraph
Quote, Subgenres: Xianxia, Lead paragraph
is a genre of Chinese fantasy literature
View the Source
Isekai (Wikipedia)
Wikimedia Foundation (Wikipedia)Subgenres: Isekai, Lead paragraph
Quote, Subgenres: Isekai, Lead paragraph
is a subgenre of Japanese fantasy and science fiction
View the Source
Magical girl (Wikipedia)
Subgenres: Magical Girl, Lead paragraph
Quote, Subgenres: Magical Girl, Lead paragraph
is a subgenre of Japanese fantasy media
View the Source
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 Source
Dark Fantasy (Wikipedia)
Wikimedia FoundationSubgenres: Dark Fantasy, Lead paragraph
Quote, Subgenres: Dark Fantasy, Lead paragraph
is a subgenre of fantasy
View the Source
High fantasy, Wikipedia
Subgenres: High Fantasy, Lead paragraph
Quote, Subgenres: High Fantasy, Lead paragraph
is a subgenre of fantasy
View the Source
Low fantasy, Wikipedia
Subgenres: Low Fantasy, Lead paragraph
Quote, Subgenres: Low Fantasy, Lead paragraph
is a subgenre of fantasy fiction
View the Source
Contemporary fantasy, Wikipedia
Subgenres: Contemporary Fantasy, Lead paragraph
Quote, Subgenres: Contemporary Fantasy, Lead paragraph
is a subgenre of fantasy
View the Source
Cozy fantasy, Wikipedia
Subgenres: Cozy Fantasy, Lead paragraph
Quote, Subgenres: Cozy Fantasy, Lead paragraph
is a subgenre of fantasy fiction
View the Source
Fantasy of manners, Wikipedia
Subgenres: Fantasy of Manners, Lead paragraph
Quote, Subgenres: Fantasy of Manners, Lead paragraph
is a subgenre of fantasy literature
View the Source
Children's fantasy - Wikipedia
Subgenres: Children's Fantasy, Lead paragraph
Quote, Subgenres: Children's Fantasy, Lead paragraph
is a subgenre of fantasy literature
View the Source
Lost world - Wikipedia
Subgenres: Lost World, Lead paragraph
Quote, Subgenres: Lost World, Lead paragraph
is a subgenre of the fantasy or science fiction genres
View the Source
Fantasy comedy - Wikipedia
Subgenres: Fantasy Comedy, Lead paragraph
Quote, Subgenres: Fantasy Comedy, Lead paragraph
is a subgenre of fantasy
View the Source
Fairytale fantasy - Wikipedia
Subgenres: Fairytale Fantasy, Lead paragraph
Quote, Subgenres: Fairytale Fantasy, Lead paragraph
is a subgenre of fantasy
View the Source
Sword and Sorcery (Wikipedia)
Wikimedia FoundationSubgenres: Sword and Sorcery, Lead paragraph
Quote, Subgenres: Sword and Sorcery, Lead paragraph
is a sub-genre of fantasy literature
View the Source
Urban Fantasy (Wikipedia)
Wikimedia FoundationSubgenres: Urban Fantasy, Lead paragraph
Quote, Subgenres: Urban Fantasy, Lead paragraph
is a subgenre of fantasy
View the Source
Shenmo Fiction (Wikipedia)
Wikimedia Foundation
  • Subgenres: 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, Lead
Quote, 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.
View the Source
Bangsian fantasy (Wikipedia)
Subgenres: Bangsian Fantasy, Lead paragraph, sentence naming the parent genre
Quote, 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.
View the Source
Xuanhuan (Wikipedia)
Wikimedia FoundationSubgenres: Xuanhuan, Lead sentence
Quote, Subgenres: Xuanhuan, Lead sentence
is a Chinese fantasy genre
View the Source
Hard fantasy - Wikipedia
Subgenres: Hard Fantasy, Lead sentence
Quote, Subgenres: Hard Fantasy, Lead sentence
different types of fantasy literature
View the Source
J. K. Rowling (Wikipedia)
Features Author: J. K. Rowling, Lead, genre
Quote, Features Author: J. K. Rowling, Lead, genre
The series revived fantasy as a genre in the children's market
View the Source
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (Wikipedia)
Features Author: Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, Lead, genre
Quote, Features Author: Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, Lead, genre
is a fantasy novel by British author J. K. Rowling
View the Source
The Little Mermaid (Wikipedia)
Wikimedia FoundationFeatures Author: The Little Mermaid, Infobox, genre field
Quote, Features Author: The Little Mermaid, Infobox, genre field
Genre: Fantasy, fairy tale
View the Source
Journey to the West (Wikipedia)
Wikimedia FoundationFeatures Author: Journey to the West, Infobox, genre field
Quote, Features Author: Journey to the West, Infobox, genre field
Genre: Shenmo, Chinese mythology, xianxia, fantasy, adventure
View the Source
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 field
Quote, Features Author: Baron Munchausen's Narrative of His Marvellous Travels and Campaigns in Russia, Infobox, genre field
Genre: Fiction, fantasy
View the Source
Wikipedia: The Adventures of Pinocchio
WikipediaFeatures Author: The Adventures of Pinocchio, Infobox, genre field
Quote, Features Author: The Adventures of Pinocchio, Infobox, genre field
Genre: Fantasy, adventure, children's literature
View the Source
The Dream-Quest of Unknown Kadath (Wikipedia)
Features Author: The Dream-Quest of Unknown Kadath, Infobox, genre field
Quote, Features Author: The Dream-Quest of Unknown Kadath, Infobox, genre field
Genre: Horror, fantasy
View the Source
H. P. Lovecraft (Wikipedia)
Wikimedia Foundation (Wikipedia)Features Author: H. P. Lovecraft, Infobox, genre field
Quote, Features Author: H. P. Lovecraft, Infobox, genre field
Genre: Lovecraftian horror, dark fantasy, weird fiction, horror fiction, mythopoeia, science fiction, fantasy
View the Source
Wikipedia: Ted Chiang
Features Author: Ted Chiang, Infobox, genre field
Quote, Features Author: Ted Chiang, Infobox, genre field
Genre: Science fiction, fantasy
View the Source
Wikipedia: Ursula K. Le Guin
Features Author: Ursula K. Le Guin, Infobox, genre field
Quote, Features Author: Ursula K. Le Guin, Infobox, genre field
Genre:
View the Source
Wikipedia: Yangsze Choo
Features Author: Yangsze Choo, Infobox, genre field
Quote, Features Author: Yangsze Choo, Infobox, genre field
Genre: Fantasy
View the Source
Joaquín Gutiérrez (Wikipedia)
Features Author: Joaquín Gutiérrez Mangel, Infobox: genre
Quote, Features Author: Joaquín Gutiérrez Mangel, Infobox: genre
Fantasy, children's, socialist realism
View the Source
Harry Potter in Calcutta (Wikipedia)
Features Author: Harry Potter in Calcutta, Lead section
Quote, 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.
View the Source
Wikipedia: Xu Zhonglin (novelist)
Features Author: Xu Zhonglin, Lead section
Quote, 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.
View the Source
Wikipedia: Suzanne Collins
Features Author: Suzanne Collins, Lead section
Quote, Features Author: Suzanne Collins, Lead section
She is also the author of the children's fantasy series The Underland Chronicles.
View the Source
Wikipedia: Mabinogion
Features Author: The Mabinogion, Lead section
Quote, 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.
View the Source
Blood Heir (Wikipedia)
Features Author: Blood Heir, Lead section
Quote, Features Author: Blood Heir, Lead section
Blood Heir is a 2019 fantasy young adult novel by Amélie Wen Zhao.
View the Source
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