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The Shape of Fantasy is an in-depth look at Heroic Epic Fantasy. It depicts structural and narrative patterns with models stemming from science and philosophy. Although Fantasy Fiction is generally defined by its impossibility, Fantasy Fiction not an illogical form. It is, in fact, governed by a sense of rules and structure, one that reflects our current understanding of space-time and cosmology. These models are an integral part of the structure of Heroic Epic Fantasy itself. Thus, this book introduces new ways of perceiving current productions of the Fantasy genre. In doing so, it also explores how Fantasy Fiction exhibits a conscious awareness of its own form.
List of contents
Introduction. Chapter 1: The Shape of a Hero’s Soul. Chapter 2: Forks in the Road. Chapter 3: Building Layers of Character. Chapter 4: The Ou-Hero. Chapter 5: The Messianic Hero. Interlude: Intertwining the Magic and Landscape. Chapter 6: Breaking Into Fantasyland. Chapter 7: The Hero as a Portal. Chapter 8: Perfect Epic Empires. Chapter 9. Chaotic Cycles.
About the author
C. Palmer-Patel is head editor of Fantastika Journal. Recent publications include Sideways in Time, co-edited with Glyn Morgan, and "Imperialism as ‘Evil’ in Epic Fantasy: An Analysis of the Fantasy Works of Eddings, Jordan, Sanderson, and Brett," co-authored with Matthew J. Elder.
Summary
The Shape of Fantasy is an in-depth look at Heroic Epic Fantasy. It depicts structural and narrative patterns with models stemming from science and philosophy. Although Fantasy Fiction is generally defined by its impossibility, Fantasy Fiction not an illogical form. It is, in fact, governed by a sense of rules and structure, one that reflects our current understanding of space-time and cosmology. These models are an integral part of the structure of Heroic Epic Fantasy itself. Thus, this book introduces new ways of perceiving current productions of the Fantasy genre. In doing so, it also explores how Fantasy Fiction exhibits a conscious awareness of its own form.
