Science Fiction Fantasy Chronicles: forums - View Single Post

McMurphy · 3rd September 2005, 08:29 PM

It was not too long ago that I finished reading the first book of Sara Douglass's The Wayfarer Redemption saga, and, to be honest, couldn't help feeling it fell far short of other sagas such as Ursula K. Le Guin's Earthsea.

Wayfarer didn't seem to be concerned over well-textured social critiques, plot themes offering multiple layers of interpretation, or even the basic satisfaction of making readers come away from the novel chewing on new thoughts on life. In that light, it would seem that the book was something readers should avoid.

But is that a fair comparison?

Douglass is not pretending to be another Le Guin, nor is Wayfarer attempting to promise anything beyond an entertaining fantasy epic tailored in the fashion of Lord of the Rings. There seems to be no confusion by the author of what type of literature she is providing the reading world. Even in the praise pages that proceed the first chapter of The Wayfarer Redemption (paperback, U.S. release) make comments such as 'Sara Douglass is the best and most exciting writer of commercial fantasy fiction to emerge from Australia...' (Locus).

"Commercial fantasy." The phrase prompts me to humbly put forth a few questions to the rest of you in regards to your views of commericial fantasy and its role in literature.

A.) Does commercial fantasy deserve a legitiment role in the literary world?

B.) If so, what role or roles do you think it rightfully has?

C.) Are there any roles that commercial fantasy should not try to fill?

D.) Is it fair to compare commercial fantasy writers such as Sara Douglass to the likes of Ursula K. Le Guin?

3rd September 2005, 08:29 PM	#1 (permalink)
McMurphy Apostate Against the Eloi Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: California Posts: 1,151	The Role(s) of Commercial Fantasy It was not too long ago that I finished reading the first book of Sara Douglass's The Wayfarer Redemption saga, and, to be honest, couldn't help feeling it fell far short of other sagas such as Ursula K. Le Guin's Earthsea. Wayfarer didn't seem to be concerned over well-textured social critiques, plot themes offering multiple layers of interpretation, or even the basic satisfaction of making readers come away from the novel chewing on new thoughts on life. In that light, it would seem that the book was something readers should avoid. But is that a fair comparison? Douglass is not pretending to be another Le Guin, nor is Wayfarer attempting to promise anything beyond an entertaining fantasy epic tailored in the fashion of Lord of the Rings. There seems to be no confusion by the author of what type of literature she is providing the reading world. Even in the praise pages that proceed the first chapter of The Wayfarer Redemption (paperback, U.S. release) make comments such as 'Sara Douglass is the best and most exciting writer of commercial fantasy fiction to emerge from Australia...' (Locus). "Commercial fantasy." The phrase prompts me to humbly put forth a few questions to the rest of you in regards to your views of commericial fantasy and its role in literature. A.) Does commercial fantasy deserve a legitiment role in the literary world? B.) If so, what role or roles do you think it rightfully has? C.) Are there any roles that commercial fantasy should not try to fill? D.) Is it fair to compare commercial fantasy writers such as Sara Douglass to the likes of Ursula K. Le Guin?