Historical Fantasies - Regarding Fantasy
Fantasy is a literary genre which contains elements of magic in plot, theme or setting. Many of the works take place in an imaginary world where magic is a common occurrence. The genre is greatly inspired by myths and folklore, and it is one of the oldest genres in history. This genre contains works such as the Epic of Gilgamesh, Homer’s Odyssey and The Book of a Thousand Nights and a Night. It was at the turn of the 19th century that fantasy fiction started to become popular with Lord Dunsany writing novels and short stories on the theme. It was however the rise of high fantasy with authors like J.R.R. Tolkien that introduced fantasy to the general audience.
Fantasy is a rich genre when it comes to subgenres. The following are the subgenres that would fit well into the Historical Fantasies site.
Dark Fantasy
This subgenre combines elements from fantasy and horror, and cannot truly be said to belong with either genre. It is generally described as gritty, dark and gothic. Examples of authors: Michael Moorcock, H.P. Lovecraft, Anne Bishop, George R. Martin
High Fantasy
The subgenre is most commonly associated with the concept of fantasy. The narrative of a story is set in an invented / parallel world with a theme concerning a hero’s a struggle with evil. The story is often turning into a saga or a series. Examples of authors: Terry Brooks, David Eddings, C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien, Robert Jordan, J.K. Rowling
Low Fantasy
This subgenre is often contrasted to high fantasy, and the narrative here takes place in the real world with fantastical elements present therein. Examples of novels: The Borrowers by Mary Norton, The Dark is Rising by Susan Cooper, Pippi Longstocking by Astrid Lindgren, The Green Mile by Stephen King
Mythic
This genre draws on the myths from different cultures and folklore, for instance Greek, Nordic or Native American.
Sword and Sorcery
This subgenre is also highly associated with fantasy, and is often about heroes in action-filled adventures. (Another subgenre of this one is said to be Sword and Sandal where the focus is more on historical narratives.) Examples of authors: Michael Moorcock, Robert E. Howard (Conan), Fritz Leiber.
Historical Fantasy
This genre is related to historical fiction, in the sense that it makes use of specific elements of real history. It usually has one of three common approaches: magic is present in the mundane world (but secret), story takes place in an alternative history or story takes place in a secondary world with specific and recognizable parallells to a specific place or era. Steampunk and Celtic Fantasy can be included under this subgenre. Examples of authors: Katharine Kerr, Guy Gavriel Kay, Katherine Kurtz, Naomi Novik.
References
"Fantasy." Wikipedia. Wikipedia, n.d. Web. 1st Jun. 2011.