High fantasy is a subgenre of fantasy fiction that is set in invented or parallel worlds. Built upon the platform of a diverse body of works in the already very popular fantasy genre, high fantasy came to fruition through the work of authors such as C. S. Lewis and, foremost, J. R. R. Tolkien, whose major fantasy works were published in the 1950s. While it is far from being the oldest fantasy subgenre, high fantasy, along with sword and sorcery, has become one of the two genres most commonly associated with the general term fantasy. For the magazine, see Genre (magazine). ... For other definitions of fantasy see fantasy (psychology). ... Parallel universe or alternate reality in science fiction and fantasy is a self-contained separate reality coexisting with our own. ... Clive Staples Lewis (29 November 1898 – 22 November 1963), commonly referred to as C. S. Lewis, was an Irish author and scholar. ... John Ronald Reuel Tolkien CBE (3 January 1892 – 2 September 1973) was an English philologist, writer and university professor, best known as the author of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. ... This article is about a fantasy sub-genre. ... For other uses, see Fantasy (disambiguation). ...

Genre overview

These stories are generally serious in tone and often epic in scope, dealing with themes of grand struggle against supernatural, evil forces.^[1] It is one of the most popular subgenres of fantasy fiction. Some typical characteristics of high fantasy include fantastical elements such as elves and dwarves, magic, wizards, invented languages, quests, coming-of-age themes, and multi-volume narratives. Look up Supernatural in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... For other uses, see Evil (disambiguation). ... For alternate meanings, see Lightning (disambiguation). ... This page is about a mythological race. ... Magic Circle by John William Waterhouse Magic in fiction is the endowing of fictional characters or objects with magical powers. ... otheruses|Magician}} The Enchanted Garden of Messer Ansaldo by Marie Spartali Stillman: a magician makes his garden bear fruit and flowers in winter. ... This article is about the word, for other meanings see Quest (disambiguation) A quest is a journey towards a goal with great meaning and is used in mythology and literature as a plot device. ...

Sigurd kills Fafnir, by Arthur Rackham

The term can also distinguish between high fantasy and low fantasy—or to be more precise, low fantasy can be contrasted with high fantasy, as the term "low fantasy" has been defined in varying ways that contradict each other—but all contrast with high fantasy. Image File history File links 404px-Sigurd_kills_Fafnir_by_Rackham. ... Image File history File links 404px-Sigurd_kills_Fafnir_by_Rackham. ... Sigurd sculpture in Bremen Sigurd (Old Norse: Sigurðr, German: Siegfried) was a legendary hero of Norse mythology, as well as the central character in the Völsunga saga. ... Fáfnir guards the gold hoard in this illustration by Arthur Rackham to Richard Wagners Siegfried. ... An illustration from Alices Adventures in Wonderland Arthur Rackham (September 19, 1867 – September 6, 1939) was a prolific English book illustrator. ... Low fantasy is a term not devised to describe a specific subgenre but to contrast specific works with high fantasy. ...

In some fiction, a contemporary, "real-world" character is placed in the invented world, sometimes through devices such as portals to other worlds or even subconscious travels. Purists might not consider this to be "true" high fantasy, although such stories are often categorized as high fantasy due to the fact that they've yet to be classified as their own distinct subgenre, and often resemble this subgenre more closely than any other. See also: Unconscious mind. ...

High fantasy worlds may be more or less closely based on real world milieus, or on legends such as Arthurian. When the resemblance is strong, particularly when real-world history is used, high fantasy shades into alternate history. King Arthur is an important figure in the mythology of Britain. ... Alternative history or alternate history can be: A History told from an alternative viewpoint, rather than from the view of imperialist, conqueror, or explorer. ...

When the scope is less than epic, dealing with the hero's personal fight for personal stakes against evil forces, the epic fantasy may shade into sword and sorcery. This article is about a fantasy sub-genre. ...

High fantasy is the most popular and successful subgenre of the fantasy fiction. Its fandom ranges from Tolkien to contemporary. Recent screen versions of Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings and Lewis' The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe have contributed to the subgenre's continuing popularity. Moreover film adaptations of some novels are in preproduction, such as Phillip Pullman's Northern Lights, David Farland's The Runelords, and Terry Brooks' Magic Kingdom of Landover. This article is about the novel. ... The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe is a fantasy novel for children by C. S. Lewis. ... Northern Lights is the first novel in the His Dark Materials series, written by British novelist Philip Pullman and published in 1995. ... The Runelords is the first of a series of fantasy novels by Dave Wolverton. ... Terence Dean Terry Brooks (born January 8, 1944) is a writer of fantasy fiction. ... The Magic Kingdom of Landover series is a quintet by Terry Brooks following the adventures of Ben Holiday, a trial lawyer who goes into a depression after the death of his wife and unborn child. ...

Characters

Most high fantasy storylines are told from the viewpoint of one main hero. Often, much of the plot revolves around his heritage or mysterious nature. In many novels the hero is an orphan or unusual sibling, often with some incredible ability or abilities and skills in a particular area (usually either magic or skill with a weapon). He begins the story young, if not an actual child.^[2] Some examples of this are Lloyd Alexander's Taran, Assistant Pig-Keeper, Terry Goodkind's Richard Rahl, Nathan Pyles' Aemyn of Quelvyn's Rede, Robert Jordan's Rand al'Thor of The Wheel of Time, Raymond Feist's Pug of Riftwar Saga, David Eddings' Belgarion of Belgariad, Philip Pullman's Lyra Belacqua of His Dark Materials, Tad Williams' Simon of Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn. In other works he is a completely developed individual with his own character and spirit — David Eddings' Sparhawk of The Elenium and The Tamuli. However, epic fantasy is not by any means limited to a male protagonist, as seen in such works as Elizabeth Moon's The Deed of Paksenarrion and P.C. Hodgell's Jame, for example. For other uses, see Hero (disambiguation). ... Orphans, by Thomas Kennington An orphan (from the Greek ορφανός) is a person (typically a child), who has lost both parents, often through death. ... Book cover of The High King Lloyd Chudley Alexander (born January 30, 1924) is the author of a number of fantasy books for children and adolescents, as well as several adult novels. ... Taran and his companion Gurgi as pictured on the cover of Taran Wanderer. ... Terry Goodkind (born 1948) is a contemporary American writer and author of the best-selling epic fantasy series, The Sword of Truth, which according to his publisher TOR in an August, 2006 press release[1] has more than 10 million copies in print and has been translated into 20 different... Richard Rahl (aka Richard Cypher) is the protagonist in the Sword of Truth fantasy series by Terry Goodkind. ... For other persons named Robert Jordan, see Robert Jordan (disambiguation). ... Rand alThor is the protagonist and main character of The Wheel of Time, a series of fantasy novels by Robert Jordan. ... This article is about a fantasy series. ... Raymond E. Feist (born 1945) is an American author, mostly specialising in fantasy fiction. ... Pug, also known as Milamber, is a fictional character appearing in the novels of Raymond E. Feist. ... The Riftwar Saga is a series of fantasy novels by Raymond E. Feist. ... David Eddings (born July 7, 1931) is an American author who has written several best-selling series of epic fantasy novels. ... Belgarion (also called Garion) is a fictional character and the chief protagonist in The Belgariad and The Malloreon, two fantasy epics written by David Eddings. ... The Belgariad is a five book fantasy epic written by David Eddings. ... Philip Pullman CBE (born October 19, 1946) is an English writer. ... Lyra Belacqua (also known as Lyra Silvertongue) is the heroine of Philip Pullmans His Dark Materials trilogy. ... The trilogy (U.K versions), in order of succession from left to right. ... Robert Paul Tad Williams (born March 14, 1957) is the author of several fantasy and science fiction novels, including Tailchasers Song, the Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn series, the Otherland series, and The War of the Flowers. ... Memory, Sorrow and Thorn is Tad Williamss epic fantasy trilogy, comprising The Dragonbone Chair (1988), Stone of Farewell (1990) and To Green Angel Tower (1993). ... The Elenium is a series of fantasy novels by David Eddings, husband to Leigh Eddings. ... The Tamuli is a series of fantasy novels by David Eddings. ... At the 63rd World Science Fiction Convention in Glasgow, August 2005 Elizabeth Moon, born 1945 March 7, is an American science fiction and fantasy author. ... The Deed of Paksenarrion is an epic fantasy saga by the American author Elizabeth Moon, who normally writes science fiction novels. ... Photo of P.C. Hodgell, taken at Minicon 25 in 1990. ...

In the beginning of the storyline, the hero is threatened by the unknown force. One reason for such a threat is that, unlike the typical sword and sorcery adventurer, the hero is seldom bored stiff by ordinary life and therefore will not abandon it quickly and on any excuse. While, like Bilbo Baggins, he may be eager for adventure, he is also usually capable of appreciating the quotidian. By the same token, the hero of the high fantasy adventure is capable of completing it and settling down to ordinary life again. This article is about a fantasy sub-genre. ... Bilbo Baggins (2890 Third Age - ? Fourth Age) is an important character in J. R. R. Tolkiens legendarium. ... The term quotidian derives from the Latin word for daily and refers to repetitive daily actions, events or routines - yet in typical usage carries a vaguely negative overtone. ...

Typically, the hero slowly gains knowledge of his past through legend, prophecy, lost-and-found-again family members, or encounters with "mentor" characters who know more about him than he does. With that knowledge comes power and self-confidence; the hero often begins as a childlike figure, but matures rapidly, experiencing a huge gain in fighting/problem-solving abilities along the way.^[3] The plot of the story often depicts the hero's fight against the evil forces as a Bildungsroman. However, the epic adventure is not always quite so stereotyped. A good example of a less stereotyped epic is The Deed of Paksenarrion in which the main character becomes a paladin through her own growing strength instead of it having been forced on her at birth. A bildungsroman (IPA: /, German: novel of personal development) is a novelistic form which concentrates on the spiritual, moral, psychological, or social development and growth of the protagonist usually from childhood to maturity. ... The Deed of Paksenarrion is an epic fantasy saga by the American author Elizabeth Moon, who normally writes science fiction novels. ...

In many books there is a knowing, mystical teacher, associated with the Jungian archetype of Senex, or wise old man. This character is often a formidable wizard or warrior, who provides the main character with advice and help. Examples would be: the wizard Kulgan of Riftwar Saga, Tolkien's Gandalf, Eddings' Belgarath, Jordan's Moiraine and Thom Merrilin, Goodkind's Zeddicus Zu'l Zorander, Rowling's Albus Dumbledore, Paolini's Brom (Inheritance) and Terry Brooks' Allanon. It has been suggested that Maître à penser be merged into this article or section. ... For other uses, see Archetype (disambiguation). ... This article needs to be cleaned up to conform to a higher standard of quality. ... A wise old man: Philosopher in Meditation by Rembrandt The wise old man (or Senex) is an archetype as described by Carl Jung. ... The Riftwar Saga is a series of fantasy novels by Raymond E. Feist. ... For other uses, see Gandalf (disambiguation). ... Belgarath is a fictional character in the David Eddings book series The Belgariad followed by The Malloreon. ... This article is about the characters, groups of characters and races in Robert Jordans the Wheel of Time fantasy fiction series. ... Thomdril Thom Merrilin is one of the main characters of the Wheel of Time fantasy series by Robert Jordan. ... Zeddicus Zul Zorander (Zedd) is a main character in the fictional Sword of Truth series by Terry Goodkind. ... Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore is a fictional character within the Harry Potter series written by British author J. K. Rowling. ... Brom is a fictional character in Christopher Paolinis Inheritance Trilogy. ... Allanon is a fictional character from the Shannara series of novels by Terry Brooks. ...

The progress of the story leads to the character learning the nature of the unknown forces against him, that they constitute a force with great power and malevolence^[4]. Facing down this evil is the culmination of the hero's story and permits the return to normal life.

Good versus evil

Good versus evil is a common concept in high fantasy, and the character of evil is often an important concept in a work of high fantasy,^[5] as in The Lord of the Rings. Indeed, the importance of the concepts of good and evil can be regarded as distinguishing mark between high fantasy and sword and sorcery.^[6] In many works of high fantasy, this conflict marks a deep concern with moral issues; in other works, the conflict is a power struggle, with, for instance, wizards behaving irresponsibly whether they are "good" or "evil".^[7] This article is about the novel. ... This article is about a fantasy sub-genre. ...

Saga or series

Role-playing campaign settings like Greyhawk by Gary Gygax and Dragonlance^[8] by Tracy Hickman and Margaret Weis are a common basis for many fantasy books and many other authors continue to contribute to the settings. This article is about the role-playing game setting. ... Ernest Gary Gygax, 2004 Ernest Gary Gygax (born July 27, 1938 in Chicago, Illinois) is best known as the author of the well known fantasy role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons (D&D), co-created with Dave Arneson and co-published with Don Kaye in 1974 under the company Tactical Studies... The current edition Dragonlance logo, as seen on all books published in the more recent times. ... Tracy Raye Hickman (born November 26, 1955) is a best-selling fantasy author, best known for his work on Dragonlance as a game designer and co-author with Margaret Weis, while he worked for TSR. They also wrote the Dark Sword trilogy, the Death Gate Cycle, and the Sovereign Stone... Margaret Baldwin Weis (born March 16, 1948 in Independence, Missouri, United States) is an extremely prolific fantasy novelist who, along with Tracy Hickman, is one of the original creators of the Dragonlance game world and has written numerous novels and short stories set in the world of Krynn. ...

From Tolkien to the modern day, authors in this genre tend to create their own worlds where they set multi-tiered narratives such as the Belgariad, Malloreon and Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn. Other authors such as George R.R. Martin, Robert Jordan, R. Scott Bakker, Steven Erikson, Raymond E. Feist, David Eddings, L. E. Modesitt, Jr., Terry Goodkind and Paul Edwin Zimmer write extended stories over several volumes relating with the same character threads. John Ronald Reuel Tolkien CBE (3 January 1892 – 2 September 1973) was an English philologist, writer and university professor, best known as the author of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. ... The Belgariad is a five book fantasy epic written by David Eddings. ... The Malloreon is a five part fantasy book series written by David Eddings, which follows The Belgariad. ... Memory, Sorrow and Thorn is Tad Williamss epic fantasy trilogy, comprising The Dragonbone Chair (1988), Stone of Farewell (1990) and To Green Angel Tower (1993). ... George R. R. Martin, circa 1986 George Raymond Richard Martin (born September 20, 1948 in Bayonne, New Jersey) is an American writer of science fiction and fantasy, and also a screenwriter and producer. ... For other persons named Robert Jordan, see Robert Jordan (disambiguation). ... R. Scott Bakker is a Canadian fantasy author. ... Steven Erikson (born October 7, 1959) is a pseudonym of Steve Rune Lundin, Canadian archaeologist, anthropologist and author. ... Raymond Elias Feist (born 1945, Los Angeles, California) is an American author, mostly specialising in fantasy fiction. ... David Eddings (born July 7, 1931) is an American author who has written several best-selling series of epic fantasy novels. ... L.E. Modesitt, Jr, whose full name is Leland Exton Modesitt, was born in 1943 in Denver, Colorado. ... Terry Goodkind (born 1948) is a contemporary American writer and author of the best-selling epic fantasy series, The Sword of Truth, which according to his publisher TOR in an August, 2006 press release[1] has more than 10 million copies in print and has been translated into 20 different... Paul Edwin Zimmer Paul Edwin Zimmer (16 October 1943 -18 October 1997), the brother of science fiction and fantasy author Marion Zimmer Bradley, was a noted poet and an established author in his own right. ...

Publishers

There are several publishing companies that are devoted entirely to publishing fantasy literature (or fantasy and science fiction). DAW Books was one of the first such publishers established, and others include Avari Press, Baen Books, Roc, Tor Books, and Del Rey Books. Categories: Stub ... Baen Books logo Baen Books is an American publishing company established in 1983 by SF publishing industry long-timer Jim Baen (1943–2006). ... Penguin Books is a British publisher founded in 1935 by Allen Lane. ... Tor Books is an imprint of Tom Doherty Associates, LLC which publishes popular fiction, and is particularly noted for its science fiction and fantasy titles. ... Del Rey Books is a branch of Ballantine Books, which is owned by Random House. ...

References

Patricia A. McKillip (February 29, 1948—) is an American author of fantasy and science fiction novels. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 61st day of the year (62nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

See also

• Eric Rücker Eddison (The Worm Ouroboros and The Zimiamvian Trilogy) was a pre-Tolkien high fantasy writer.
• List of high fantasy fiction
• Low fantasy