This is for all the Fantasy lovers out there.  My love of fantasy was
inspired by my older sister, whose library I went through as fast as
I could.  So, I would like to know who people's favorite fantasy writers
are, how they first got into fantasy- stuff like that.  Have at it!

112 responses total.

Well, since I started this item I want to go first!  <grin>  My favorite
fantasy authors are Mercedes Lackey, Anne McCaffrey, and Tara K. Harper.
And, I already told how I got into it.... later

READ LEGUINN!  NOW!  THIS IS AN ORDER!

why?

Presumably because orinoco thinks she's a good fantasy writer.  I do
recall reading _^HA_^H _^HW_^Hi_^Hz_^Ha_^Hr_^Hd_^H _^Ho_^Hf_^H
_^HE_^Ha_^Hr_^Ht_^Hh_^Hs_^He_^Ha many years ago and liking it quite a bit.

Ya know- I had a bad feeling about entering this item.  I was afraid no
one would say anything... oh well.  Maybe someone will come along and
spark the conversation.

Spark it for me anne.
Tell me what I should read.
I don't really do fantasy, so tell me what I could read that
would get me interested.

How do the "Oz" books rate among fantasy buffs these days?  i.e.
L. Frank Baum's __^HT_^Hh_^He_^H _^HW_^Ho_^Hn_^Hd_^He_^Hr_^Hf_^Hu_^Hl_^H
_^HW_^Hi_^Hz_^Ha_^Hr_^Hd_^H _^Ho_^Hf_^H _^HO_^Hz_ and the numerous sequels,
written by Baum, Ruth Plumly Thompson (after Baum's death), and others.  It was
quite a long-lived series: "Wizard" was published in 1899, and new Oz books
were still appearing in the early 1950's.  Do they have any standing among
fantasy readers, or are they viewed as just "children's literature"?

Hmm... That sounds interesting, even if it isn't called fantasy today.

The _Oz_ books are wonderful!! Of course they're fantasy!!  I loved reading
them- didn't read them all, mores the pity.  I think my favorite is
_Ozma of Oz_ (I think that's the fourth book).
Gerund- when we met today at B and N- I'll show ya!

I think that the OZ books were alright, but I MUCH prefered the Madeline
L'Engle _Time_ books.  Just enough science to keep me wondering, and enough
fantasy to keep me dreaming.

Gerund, you would **LOVE** the Mercedes Lackey books.  She is cool.  A good
story teller, AND romance, AND plot, AND fun new languages!!!  Right, s
she'endrea?

damn right!!!  she'endrea!!!

Actually, Anne, I hate to tell you but I don't think of either McCaffrey or
Lackey as literary masters.  Doesn't stop me reading their stuff, though...
I have always loved the older writers of high fantasy: Lord Dunsany, George
MacDonald, CS Lewis, Charles Williams, Tolkien, Sylvia Townsend Warner, etc. I
think Gerund would like those authors, especially Dunsany.  Possibly Yeats, 
too (his fairy tales).  Of modern authors, I like RA MacEvoy, Diana Paxton,
Tamora Pierce (found in "young adult"), DeLint, McKillip, as well as those
already mentioned.  Of these, McKillip and MacEvoy (sometimes) seem to be the
best crafters of words (well, and LeGuin of course).

WEll, they may not be literary masters- but I still like them.  Who
wants to read only literary masters?  I don't.  Besides- I really
enjoy the way ?Ms. Lackey tells stories- I like the characters.  Yes
they have some flaws and could be improved- but what in this world
is perfect?

Yeah.

lit masters are great, but i still do steve king and others too.
some day i will dive into the Lord of The Rings trilogy.  always wanted to.
i even have a copy of fellowship of the ring.... just never read it.
thanks for the ideas though!

Well, although it is not REALLY fantasy, The Three Musketteers is good!

No sun, it isn't fantasy- NEXT!!
<grin>

now BE nice!

her?  never

you two....
oh nevermind!
:-)

heh

I being good!!  really I am (this is what happens when you spend a week with
two kids under the age of two- the mind starts to melt)

Mind?  what mind


heh

<anne growls>

<sun smiles at anne, and chuckles at her>

Nannie mad at sunny?

no, Nannie not mad at Sunny.

o'tay!

What about the Keltiad series by Patricia Kneally?  She was Jim Morrison's
handfasted partner.  The series is basically King Artur's descendants in
outer space.  Oversimplification, but I liked the books.

Sounds very .... interesting.  I'll check em out.

Hey anne....have you checked out Kneally yet?  I am waited with
bated breath.....and I hate the taste of crickets. (I don't fish
with worms).
;->

OHHHH!!! Anne!!  Are yuou here?  Do you hear me?
I am waiting....

sorry- I don't always have time to get through my cfs when I stop by.
No, I haven't had a chance to check Kneally out yet- but I WILL get
there- soon!! I hope....

maybe tuning in a bit late, but nevertheless:
Does anybodey considder "Star King, the Killing machine, the Palace of love,
the Face and the Book of dreams (which is a neat title) by Jack Vance as
fantasy? Help me out here, please. By the way, I agree with Anne consiering
Anne McCaffrey. Ciao! 

I've never heard of the book, but I suppose it could be fantasy...

o.k. here it is: it about a guy who's village has been destroyed by the
'devil's princes'. His life consists of the chase in order to take revenge li
enjoyed it.! Ciao, a second time. R.

sorry for all the errors in writing, my gateway is protesting all the time.
Doesn't make things easier. Crammy machine or whatever. Anne, can you recommand
me a book? Ciao a third time. R.

(Hint for entering responses: Hit the return key when you get towards
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And some terminals don't handle long lines very well.

And, the "end of a line" on most terminals is the 80th column, so
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Learning to use 'fmt' is also helpful as is learning to set the
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Back to Fantasy!

Rick, what kind of fantasy do you like?  Knowing that I may be able to
suggest a book you'll like.

- Backtalk version 1.3.30 - Copyright 1996-2006, Jan Wolter and Steve Weiss