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Bookriot: THE 22 BEST FANTASY BOOKS OF ALL TIME (Original Post) SheltieLover Feb 2023 OP
Thanks! Bayard Feb 2023 #1
Yw! SheltieLover Feb 2023 #2
Thanks for this, I love Fantasy! lark Feb 2023 #3
Yw! SheltieLover Feb 2023 #5
OK, one small complaint, Stranger in a Strange Land by Heinlein should have been on the list! lark Feb 2023 #4
Sounds interesting, just by its title. SheltieLover Feb 2023 #6
Stranger in a Strange Land is NOT fantasy. PoindexterOglethorpe Feb 2023 #7
Where's the line between the 2? lark Feb 2023 #8
Science fiction is not only space & mechanical stuff. PoindexterOglethorpe Feb 2023 #12
Time travel is the real dicotomy (sp?) here, isn't it. lark Feb 2023 #13
No. Just because some kind of a portal is used, does not make that time travel story fantasy. PoindexterOglethorpe Feb 2023 #20
Damn mouse, spell check doesn't work with it. lark Feb 2023 #21
Reading what interests you is always the best. PoindexterOglethorpe Feb 2023 #22
Thx for sharing! SheltieLover Feb 2023 #10
I love good science fiction, but never cared for fantasies. Chainfire Feb 2023 #9
I love magical realism, although not applicable to this list. SheltieLover Feb 2023 #11
That's me. lark Feb 2023 #14
I love to read, too, Lark! SheltieLover Feb 2023 #15
Happy reading to you too. lark Feb 2023 #16
Have you read David Rosenfelt's Andy Carpenter series? SheltieLover Feb 2023 #17
No, I haven't read them and look forward to finding them on my Kindle. lark Feb 2023 #18
He's my all time fav author. SheltieLover Feb 2023 #19

lark

(23,094 posts)
3. Thanks for this, I love Fantasy!
Tue Feb 21, 2023, 12:09 PM
Feb 2023

I've read 7 of the listed books and they were indeed all wonderful. Now I've got some new books to explore - yay!! I'm reading a series by KF Breene, but soon as I'm finished, I will start one of these, either American Gods or Fifth Season, depending on my mood.

SheltieLover

(57,073 posts)
6. Sounds interesting, just by its title.
Tue Feb 21, 2023, 12:12 PM
Feb 2023

Sort of like a staunch Dem living in a red hellhole... just my 1st thought.

Thx for sharing!

lark

(23,094 posts)
8. Where's the line between the 2?
Tue Feb 21, 2023, 12:26 PM
Feb 2023

I thought space & mechanical stuff was science fiction but anything else non-reality based is fantasy? I love both genres, regardless of where the line is and still think Stranger in a Strange Land is EPIC, whatever someone calls it.

PoindexterOglethorpe

(25,848 posts)
12. Science fiction is not only space & mechanical stuff.
Wed Feb 22, 2023, 01:22 AM
Feb 2023

It includes time travel, alternate history, and various others. Fantasy typically involves magical or supernatural elements; what's going on isn't possible in the real world.

Okay, so FTL (faster than light) travel and time travel are likewise not possible in the real world, but they do not involve magical or supernatural elements.

lark

(23,094 posts)
13. Time travel is the real dicotomy (sp?) here, isn't it.
Wed Feb 22, 2023, 09:16 AM
Feb 2023

If it's time travel thru a scientific machine it's science fiction but if it's time travel through a magic portal, it's fantasy.

PoindexterOglethorpe

(25,848 posts)
20. No. Just because some kind of a portal is used, does not make that time travel story fantasy.
Wed Feb 22, 2023, 11:04 AM
Feb 2023

The books by Diana Gabaldon involve a mysterious portal to get the main character some 200 years. After that, it's a straightforward historical romance. On the other hand, if magic is involved in the plot/story, then it crosses to fantasy.

Other elements of fantasy include a quest or heroic adventure, conflict between good and evil, often a made-up language. Sometimes portals are used in fantasy, rarely in s-f. Fantasy stories also often include some kind of "royal" family. They often take place on some other world entirely, not Earth.

Put it this way: legends of King Arthur are fantasy. There's the sword, there's Merlin the Magician.

Stories about Robin Hood are not, although they're not science fiction either. Everything that happens in Robin Hood stories are real-world, no magic of any kind.

Science fiction may also take place on other worlds, but again, what happens is real-world possible. Often advanced technology is assumed.

Alternate history is a genre of s-f that is not fantasy. Examples include many books by Harry Turtledove. Many alternate histories start with 'What if the South had won the Civil War" and take it from there. Or "What if the Nazis had won WWII."

I hope that clarifies it.

Oh, and it's "dichotomy" but I of course knew exactly what you intended.

lark

(23,094 posts)
21. Damn mouse, spell check doesn't work with it.
Wed Feb 22, 2023, 11:48 AM
Feb 2023

I knew it wasn't right but couldn't remember the correct spelling, and Coco was hungry so I just took care of her and didn't research further - lazy. Hoping our new modem will fix the mouse problem, Comcast said it would, and it should be here any day.

I used to be concerned with what category I was reading when I went to the library, Sci-FI was separate from Fantasy. Now I just read what sounds interesting to me, regardless. So one day I'm reading Anthony Bourdain, and the after that it's K.F. Breen.

PoindexterOglethorpe

(25,848 posts)
22. Reading what interests you is always the best.
Wed Feb 22, 2023, 01:44 PM
Feb 2023

Personally, I'm not remotely a fan of any kind of fantasy. Have never read "Lord of the Rings" nor any of "Game of Thrones."

I likewise read a VERY wide variety of both fiction and non fiction.

Chainfire

(17,531 posts)
9. I love good science fiction, but never cared for fantasies.
Tue Feb 21, 2023, 12:47 PM
Feb 2023

Good science fiction pays some homage to physics, stays away from magic,and that quality satisfies my more practical side.

SheltieLover

(57,073 posts)
11. I love magical realism, although not applicable to this list.
Tue Feb 21, 2023, 01:27 PM
Feb 2023


But I enjoy those works incorporating physics as well.

In short, I'll inhale qlmost any book, so ling as it's not terrifying or gruesome.

lark

(23,094 posts)
14. That's me.
Wed Feb 22, 2023, 09:38 AM
Feb 2023

I love to read. Period.the.end. Fantasy and sci-fi are what fills my Kindle, but I like spy and some mystery or historical novels too on occasion. I loved Ken Burns North/South, for example.

I do like Steven King & Dean Koontz a lot and some of their works are scary, but I love their humanity and characters. I would never read a slasher book or anything where violence played a major role. I don't even watch fight scenes on the screen, just turn my eyes if it pops up or walk out of the room if it's extensive.

SheltieLover

(57,073 posts)
15. I love to read, too, Lark!
Wed Feb 22, 2023, 10:10 AM
Feb 2023

I keep my eyes feasted on works that won't raise my bp. Lol

I enjoy books which have animal heroes very much.

Currently reading "Cats in Trouble" series by Leanne Sweeney. Great cozy series, always involving cats, sometimes being rescued, sometimes the rescue org itself, but always about cats.

The 1st one I read involved a ghost kitty, the hero, of course. Lol

Happy reading! Fiction is certainly less strange than the news these past few years.

lark

(23,094 posts)
16. Happy reading to you too.
Wed Feb 22, 2023, 10:14 AM
Feb 2023

One of the things I like most about Koontz is his love of Golden Retrievers or any dog. He makes them the sub-heroes of a lot of his works and his love just shines through.

I love animal stories too. Will check out Sweeney! Thanks!

SheltieLover

(57,073 posts)
17. Have you read David Rosenfelt's Andy Carpenter series?
Wed Feb 22, 2023, 10:47 AM
Feb 2023

He and his wife own and run a Golden rescue in real life & his books are always about dogs.

Andy Carpenter is an attorney who lives in Paterson, NJ, refusing to give up his childhood home when he unexpectedly inherits millions ...

His SO is a former Paterson cop & there are so many other great characters to enjoy your days with.

His books are laugh out loud funny, with great characters & intriguing plots.

I read all 19 of his books in a week a few years ago, after first discovering this amazing author. And I've re-read them all, even more testament to their excellent quality.

He continues to publish a few a year, always one at Christmastime. Always about puppies. "Santa's Little Yelpers" being a recent example.

Enjoy, my friend!

lark

(23,094 posts)
18. No, I haven't read them and look forward to finding them on my Kindle.
Wed Feb 22, 2023, 10:59 AM
Feb 2023

YAY, good books bout dogs, how awesome! Can't wait to find & try these new treasures. Thanks so much.

SheltieLover

(57,073 posts)
19. He's my all time fav author.
Wed Feb 22, 2023, 11:02 AM
Feb 2023

That's saying a lot.

Enjoy! Pls let me know what you think of his work?

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