If someone new to the fantasy genre asked you for your top five must-read fantasy novels, which novels would you suggest?
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If someone new to the fantasy genre asked you for your top five must-read fantasy novels, which novels would you suggest?
Yikes! The genre is so broad, it’s hard to say, but here are my recommendations:
1 – Jim Butcher’s Stormfront: Very modern, fun, and tongue-in-cheek.
2 – Steven Brust’s Jhereg: Similar to Butcher, but darker, more traditional.
3 – Tolkein’s The Hobbit: a classic that’s fun, readable, and a good entry to the Lord of the Rings if they decide they like it.
4 – Fritz Leiber’s Swords of Lankhmar: the first and best Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser novel. A wonderful introduction to the characters and to Swords & Sorcery in general.
5 – Pratchett’s The Light Fantastic: gonzo fun that takes the assumptions of the previous four and lovingly skewers them. If you consider this list to be a meal, Pratchett’s work is the ultimate dessert.
Doesn’t look like we’re going to get much more input on this list. I like your list, Brian. Original. I wouldn’t have thought of some of the titles you mentioned. My list is not extremely creative, more of the older classics I suppose.
1. The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings – These are a must for any fantasy reader, as Tolkien is considered by many to be the father of modern fantasy (by modern I mean within the last 30 years)
2. Chronicles of Narnia – The Chronicles are a good start when you’re young. I read the Lion, Witch, and the Wardrobe in elementary school.
3. Agreed on Pratchett. Another classic fantasy author.
4. Malazan Book of the Fallen by Steven Erikson – a darker, grittier fantasy series
5. A Song of Ice and Fire – I wouldn’t suggest reading George R.R. Martin first, because it’s likely you won’t find other fantasy novels nearly as enjoyable after reading this series. I’m having a difficult time finding other fantasy series that I can really get into.
If the person were a literary-fiction reader who was only reluctantly coming to fantasy, I’d recommend The Last Unicorn by Peter Beagle, mostly because a newcomer will get the sense of myth without needing to understand all of the fantasy references and in-jokes–and also because the book is very nicely written.
Jeff, I’m not familiar with the Last Unicorn. Actually, the name rings a bell, but I have never read it. I’ll check it out myself. Thanks!
I would definitely recommend The Last Unicorn. A wonderful story. You should also try Luthiel’s Song by Robert Fanney. Both would make my top 5.
Thanks for the suggestion, Brian. I’m not familiar with Luthiel’s Song. What’s it about?