Magic Words, Magic Worlds: Form and Style in Epic Fantasy

Magic Words, Magic Worlds: Form and Style in Epic Fantasy
ISBN-10
1476687137
ISBN-13
9781476687131
Category
Literary Criticism
Pages
285
Language
English
Published
2022-06-10
Publisher
McFarland
Author
Matthew Oliver

Description

While all fiction uses words to construct models of the world for readers, nowhere is this more obvious than in fantasy fiction. Epic fantasy novels create elaborate secondary worlds entirely out of language, yet the writing style used to construct those worlds has rarely been studied in depth. This book builds the foundations for a study of style in epic fantasy. Close readings of selected novels by such writers as Steven Erikson, Ursula Le Guin, N. K. Jemisin and Brandon Sanderson offer insights into the significant implications of fantasy's use of syntax, perspective, paratexts, frame narratives and more. Re-examining critical assumptions about the reading experience of epic fantasy, this work explores the genre's reputation for flowery, archaic language and its ability to create a sense of wonder. Ultimately, it argues that epic fantasy shapes the way people think, examining how literary representation and style influence perception.

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