FANTASY IS SERIOUS BUSINESS
By Alex Ness
April 11, 2022
The reason I like to read fantasy isn't because I want to escape. It isn't because I long to be an elf or a dwarf, or a bad guy riding a big black horse. I am not interested in most of the reasons given by various people for why someone might be moved by fantasy. I think fantasy, like science fiction, thrillers, crime, and romance, does not resonate unless the story feels real, or like how our mind understands things, or that it portrays people who we might have within us. We need to see ourselves clearly of course to see ourselves in others. But I think fantasy shows us, without real world limitations, who we might aspire to be. I don't think I'd be heroic in battle, perhaps I'd get hurt, run away screaming. But that isn't who I'd want to be. I'd like to be able to fight my enemies, somehow, and to do so with honor, becoming the person everyone wishes I could be.
I did spend time in the military, briefly, and failed. It wasn't about courage, it was about mental illness and some unfortunate choices made by people that came to haunt me. Contrary to the image people have of me as being a soft, sensitive sort, I do think society needs warriors. I don't think about it a lot, but there are those who say if war is evil that warriors are only there to be used. Therefore we don't need them as a constant of our country or society, or the overall civilization. But peace doesn't just happen. Or it hasn't just happened. Problem there isn't with the goal, as I think peace is great, and war and killing are terrible things. It has been seen over time over the centuries, that very few people who begin as pacifists remain since the tyrants of existence often take advantage of those who choose peace. And frankly, whatever we consider to be a warrior can come in the form of those who fight wars, but also fight injustice, those who fight against those who demand conformity, and warriors can be those who call out for action in a world demanding our continued apathy.
I find that fantasy allows for many sorts of heroism. The weak have magic, the strong use steel, the enemies are fierce, the defenders are filled with hope despite facing forces of despair. Or they are scoundrels who amuse us. Beautiful and kind, ugly and vile, the characters fill all sorts of roles, and they look different than could be found in any other genre. The fact of the diverse characters allows for a stretching of my own limits of culture, knowledge and comfort. I mention this now about my own journey, but, I believe God meant for humans and all forms of life to be diverse, for the benefit of our minds and spirit. The more we see and realize who the spark of life, thought and hope exist in the cloak of flesh, whatever its culture, ethnicity, look, or limits, we grow, and see the beauty of diversity, rather than linger in the limits of 'monocultivo', racial or cultural purity, or the most pure form of foolishness, idolatry and racial preference. Fantasy has no limits. When we dive into that great ocean, we should expect to see impossible, wonderful amazing things. Fantasy allows me that.
By the end of the read, fantasy doesn't force me to believe or disbelieve anything. It invites me into a comfortable place, and speaks about things that never happened, but deep down, you know that they well should have happened. They do not provide an escape, they provide for me a way to delve deeper, trust more, love harder, and try to endure. Fantasy also causes one to make choices as a reader, as to whether you would do what was done, and what you might do otherwise or differently in that position. Fantasy also allows the reader a first hand look at real human interactions and choices, in the prism of war, or catastrophe, alliance building, and the seeking of pleasure. It does so in ways that inspire, provoke thought, give hope, bring darkness.
For example... Slight Spoiler alert for the Lord of the Rings, Books and Movies
Now, I've mentioned my issue with the Lord of the Rings movies, particularly that in the second movie/ book, there is a small change that bankrupts the story of its truth, however exciting or happy it might be. When Rohan is surrounded and attacked by Saruman's horde of Orcs and Dunlendings the forces of Rohan are driven to Helm's Deep, where the fight will be desperate, and fought to the death.
The riders of Rohan fight alone and have little hope. They do survive and Saruman is defeated. They then rush to the rescue of Gondor, despite having been alone in their own struggle. Gondor absolutely needs the help. The sacrifice of the Rohan riders and innocents did not lead
them to selfishly withhold their assistance to others, as would be a normal reaction. No, it was a
galvanizing event leading them to help others because they weren't
helped and knew how that felt, and they had also learned how grave the threat was.
In the movie the elves arrive in Helm's Deep, to the rescue, ready to assist in the fight. No longer alone, they again win the battle and help the others. Well of course they did, Peter Jackson, you just helped them and it became a feel good story, instead of a heroic response to despair and existential elimination.
I point all of this out because Fantasy isn't silly, or lacking in seriousness. People who don't read or like Fantasy have a view of it that is frivolous or stupid. They perceive it as faeries and elves dancing upon the midsummer darkness, and songs and spells, festive feasts and joy. But Fantasy can be as soft or as hard as it requires the story to be. Choices to live or die, to retreat or fight, are all rather important choices.
I can be found on Facebook, Twitter or through email Alexanderness63@gmail.com. I accept hard copies, so when you inquire at any of these places, I'll follow through by telling you my street address. I no longer have a post box, although I regret that. It was a crushing defeat to no longer have a p.o. box, when I came to realize I was getting so little product it made no sense to pay for the privilege to not receive mail at both my home and at the post office. If you send hard copies for review I will always review them, but if you prefer to send pdf or ebooks to my email, I will review these at my discretion. I don't share my pdf/ebooks, so you can avoid worry that I'd dispense them for free to others.
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