Lesson 4: Other Sub-genres of Fantasy
Authors and Books of All Ages High Fantasy
This sub-genre is very large. There are many books to choose from. In this section I will discuss just a few. It will help you choose books to read or what books to guide your children to after they have exhausted the Harry Potter books.
Ursula K. LeGuin’s Earthsea books are excellent ones to read. The stories of Ged and Tehanu going through changes throughout their lives give a perspective much different than other books. Themes of self, death, and child abuse are explored in the four books of A Wizard of Earthsea, The Tombs of Atuan, The Farthest Shore and Tehanu.
Celtic mythology and young people finding their destinies are to be found in Lloyd Alexander’s Chronicles of Prydain series. Consisting of five books, it tells the stories of Taran and Princess Eilonwy. Taran undergoes several trials in each book as he matures. Princess Eilonwy must master her magic and take her rightful place in her world. The book of Three is the first book of the series.
Arthurian elements appear in the Dark Is Rising books of Susan Cooper. Over Sea, Under Stone begins a five book sequence of stories of children drawn into a battle against the Dark. Various mysterious characters begin to reveal themselves as Merlin and Arthur to help the children. The books have quests and a dark side that can be frightening, but lead to a resolution in the end.
Another author of excellent books is Alan Garner. His books of The Weirdstone of Brisingamen, The Moon of Gomrath and Elidor are tales of children encountering magic and dangerous mythical creatures. There are elements of Celtic and Arthurian events in his books set in various parts of Britain. The books are entertaining and have great depth for being short.
Finally, C.S. Lewis created his world of Narnia to tell the stories of various youngsters solving problems in this world. This seven book sequence is full of Christian symbols. The stories are imaginative and moving, a must for all ages. It starts with The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe where four children find their way into Narnia through a wardrobe. They must save the world from a Winter Witch and return to their world changed.
These are just a few of the many good authors of All Ages High Fantasy. The field is very large, so this lesson could go on for a long time. It is suggested you start with some of these books, then explore further.
Bibliography:
Alexander, Lloyd. The book of Three.
Cooper, Susan. Over Sea, Under Stone.
Garner, Alan. The Weirdstone of Brisingamen.
-. The Moon of Gomrath.
-. Elidor.
LeGuin, Ursula K. A Wizard of Earthsea.
-. The Tombs of Atuan.
-. The Farthest Shore.
-. Tehanu.
Lewis, C.S. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.
