Fantasy Fiction

Lesson 3: Mythic and Mythopoeic Fantasy

Mythic Fantasy Books by Other Authors

Though an author like Robert Holdstock writes most of his books in this sub-genre, other Fantasy authors might contribute only one or two books. These books are powerful works that come from a variety of authors that usually write in other sub-genres. The eternal themes of mythology and archetypes appear in these books to make them memorable and thought provoking.

Mythic elements appear in the first trilogy of author Gavriel Kay. The Fionavar Tapestry contains elements of Celtic myth and some Arthurian elements. Guenivere, King Arthur and Lancelot appear in the books and attempt to resolve their eternal triangle. Different gods and goddesses along with the Wild Hunt play affecting roles in the story of five students trying to save a world. The trilogy leaves a memorable experience in the mind.

Victoria Strauss explores what happens when a myth changes and how it can affect cultures in her novel The Burning Land. The god of this world is believed by the people to be sleeping under a vast desert. Another group believes they are the last humans alive. A young priest makes a long, transforming journey and discovers something about the god that will change his society drastically. Many religious themes that come from myth are explored in depth by the author through her realistic characters.

In the Earthsea books of Ursula K. LeGuin, many themes of mythology are explored. The first two books revolve around the theme of coming of age for a young man and woman in a well developed world of magic. The third book deals with death and its acceptance. All of the characters in each book undergo a transformative journey that changes their lives, much as all humans go through in their lives.

Charles de Lint writes in the sub-genre of Urban Fantasy but his books and stories have mythic elements in them. His characters live in cities where they encounter creatures and beings from myth that leave them changed. One book that portrays this well is Someplace to Be Flying, which tells the story of a taxi driver and photographer encountering the animal people. Mr. de Lint uses Native American mythology to tell a vivid story.

A woman author who writes mythic fantasy set in our modern world is Nina Kiriki Hoffman. The Thread That Binds the Bones is a book about two magical people. Their strange talents set off a dangerous ritual that could destroy the world. The mythic overtones of this book and her other works provide powerful stories that touches people deeply.

Vera Nazarian is a recent new voice in this sub-genre. Her two books, Dreams of the Compass Rose and Lords of Rainbow, contain strange gods and characters undergoing the heroic journey. The first book is collection of stories set in the world of the Compass Rose. In the second book, a new mythology develops in a world where color does not exist. Ms. Nazarian creates vivid images and characters that remain with the reader for a long time.

Mythic Fantasy is a powerful sub-genre that uses the timeless themes of myth for powerful stories that are vivid, memorable and thought provoking. Some of the books cross the lines of other sub-genres, but deepen many of the stories. These books touch something within ourselves and resonate with our lives.

A link to a comprehensive reading list can be found at: http://www.endicott-studio.com/lists/lis...

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