When you name certain genres of literature, most people will always think of a handful of authors who are synonymous with that genre. Mention 'horror', for instance, and people think of Mary Shelley, Bram Stoker and maybe Stephen King. In the case of classic fantasy novels, the two names that are always mentioned are those of J. R. R. Tolkien and C. S. Lewis.
Fantasy is a genre in which the stories revolve around a theme that is supernatural. It can be about magic or it can include characters that are mythical creatures such as fairies and unicorns. The genre is as old as humanity itself and many ancient epics from around the world fall into this genre. In fact, ancient myths and legends have often inspired later works.
One author who cited the mythology of Europe as a major influence also came to be probably one of the greatest authors of the genre. J. R. R. Tolkien was born in Bloemfontein, then the capital of a Southern African republic known as the Orange Free State, in 1892. He grew up in England, was wounded in World War I and later became a respected professor of literature and English. He also translated works from Old English, among them tales from Arthurian legend and the epic 'Beowulf'.
However, it's for his writing that Tolkien is mostly remembered. His children's book 'The Hobbit', set in a mythical world of fairies, dragons and wizards and called Middle Earth, was a runaway success. To Tolkien's surprise, the story was very popular with adults too, so he wrote the sequel that would become one of the most popular epic novels of all time, 'The Lord of the Rings'.
The other author indelibly linked to the genre is C. S. Lewis, who was born in Belfast. Lewis spent much of his youth in English boarding schools and later lived and worked in England. He was wounded in World War I as well and also taught literature at various universities, including Oxford. It's probably no surprise then that he and Tolkien were good friends.
Lewis didn't originally make a name for himself as an author of fantasy books. He wrote in a wide variety of genres, including science fiction. However, his most popular body of work is a series about a land that can be accessed through the back of an old wardrobe. 'The Chronicles of Narnia' show that Lewis also loved the old legends and myths but the devoutly religious Lewis also included some decidedly Christian themes in the stories.
The popular works by Tolkien and Lewis were turned into stunning, award-winning films in the past two decades. People who'd never really liked fiction before were inspired to read the books after they'd seen the movies and before long, fantasy as a genre became wildly popular. Other authors created new works of fiction set in fantastical realms, such as Westeros in George R. R. Martin's 'A Song of Ice and Fire' series and Discworld in the eponymous series by Terry Pratchett.
The growing popularity of the genre means that you don't have to search in the children's or sci-fi sections of your local library or bookstore to find fantasy books anymore. You'll now find them in their own dedicated section. You can also buy the books online and let yourself be transported to another world.
Fantasy is a genre in which the stories revolve around a theme that is supernatural. It can be about magic or it can include characters that are mythical creatures such as fairies and unicorns. The genre is as old as humanity itself and many ancient epics from around the world fall into this genre. In fact, ancient myths and legends have often inspired later works.
One author who cited the mythology of Europe as a major influence also came to be probably one of the greatest authors of the genre. J. R. R. Tolkien was born in Bloemfontein, then the capital of a Southern African republic known as the Orange Free State, in 1892. He grew up in England, was wounded in World War I and later became a respected professor of literature and English. He also translated works from Old English, among them tales from Arthurian legend and the epic 'Beowulf'.
However, it's for his writing that Tolkien is mostly remembered. His children's book 'The Hobbit', set in a mythical world of fairies, dragons and wizards and called Middle Earth, was a runaway success. To Tolkien's surprise, the story was very popular with adults too, so he wrote the sequel that would become one of the most popular epic novels of all time, 'The Lord of the Rings'.
The other author indelibly linked to the genre is C. S. Lewis, who was born in Belfast. Lewis spent much of his youth in English boarding schools and later lived and worked in England. He was wounded in World War I as well and also taught literature at various universities, including Oxford. It's probably no surprise then that he and Tolkien were good friends.
Lewis didn't originally make a name for himself as an author of fantasy books. He wrote in a wide variety of genres, including science fiction. However, his most popular body of work is a series about a land that can be accessed through the back of an old wardrobe. 'The Chronicles of Narnia' show that Lewis also loved the old legends and myths but the devoutly religious Lewis also included some decidedly Christian themes in the stories.
The popular works by Tolkien and Lewis were turned into stunning, award-winning films in the past two decades. People who'd never really liked fiction before were inspired to read the books after they'd seen the movies and before long, fantasy as a genre became wildly popular. Other authors created new works of fiction set in fantastical realms, such as Westeros in George R. R. Martin's 'A Song of Ice and Fire' series and Discworld in the eponymous series by Terry Pratchett.
The growing popularity of the genre means that you don't have to search in the children's or sci-fi sections of your local library or bookstore to find fantasy books anymore. You'll now find them in their own dedicated section. You can also buy the books online and let yourself be transported to another world.
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