I have two books to talk about. This first one I heard about on the Currently Reading podcast. It’s a classic “whodunit” in the style of Agatha Christie, written in 1936 and reissued as a British Library Crime Classic.
Reading this made me appreciate what Agatha Christie managed to do in her books. An Agatha Christie never meanders aimlessly- the writing is so tight.This book was a little clunky by comparison. E.C.R. Lorac (pen name for Edith Caroline Rivett) is no Christie, but who is? This was still very good, and I like mysteries from this time period, so I enjoyed this.
I had a new and unusual source for this next book recommendation- my son’s girlfriend, Isabel! I’m just getting to know this woman, so when she recommended a series of books that she loves, The Dresden Files, I jumped right on it.
This is the first book of the series, and is a mix of fantasy and mystery. One review I read described it as “Harry Potter for adults.” Well, I think Harry Potter IS for adults, and this book shouldn’t really be compared to the greatest books of all time (in my opinion, of course). But I did enjoy it, and according to Isabel, the first two books of this series are not as good as the rest. Well, I’m intrigued! I’ll definitely be reading on in the series.
Also, I have something to add to the “Reader, Know Thyself” journey I seem to be on. I’ve heard people talk about “high fantasy” without really understanding what that means. I finally looked it up, and according to the AI overview, high fantasy takes place “in a world entirely separate from our own, with its own history, geography, and cultures. This world is often heavily influenced by magic and fantastical elements.”
OKAY YOU GUYS. This is what I realized- I like fantasy, but not HIGH fantasy. I like it when the story takes place in our world, with magical elements woven in. This is called “low fantasy”, and it makes me feel like I’m not that smart. High fantasy sounds more sophisticated, and something I SHOULD like, but the truth is, I get overwhelmed when I have to learn about a completely different world. Don’t give me any of this “world building!” Just tell me a great story, but don’t make me think THAT hard.
As I said, it kind of makes me feel like I’m not smart enough to enjoy high fantasy- but Harry Potter is actually low fantasy, so it’s not like low fantasy is bad, by any means. The Dresden Files series is definitely low fantasy- Harry Dresden is a private investigator living in Chicago, who, oh yes, happens to be a wizard. The story is funny and a solid mystery, and I love how the magic is woven in.
Do you like high fantasy? Low fantasy? Both, or neither?
Top photo by Jaredd Craig on Unsplash
13 Responses
I’m not keen on having to learn all about a new pretendy world when there are ways of living in this world I could be reading about (I know I’m a bit ascetic about this, though: I can’t be bothered with computer games you have to learn a million rules for and practise when I could be doing my Spanish!). So low fantasy just about, high fantasy no thank you!
Yes! I feel like there are still things to explore in this world- ways of looking at it that are new to me, and that’s what I’m more interested in. I’ll be interested to hear from people who like high fantasy though- I want to know what it is that appeals to them.
Low fantasy for me all the way! That said, I DO love Lord of the Rings, which I guess is kind of like high fantasy? Overall, I’d say I’m not a HUGE fantasy fan, but when it’s done well it’s amazing. The Harry Potter books were genius and remain some of my favourite books of all time (regardless of what age I’ve done a read-through).
Yes, LOTR would be high fantasy. I guess there are always exceptions- I’ve probably enjoyed some high fantasy, although offhand I can’t think of anything specific.
I don’t read much fantasy but if I do enjoy it, it’s low fantasy! I don’t think you should associated low fantasy with being low brow, though!! You like what you like and there shouldn’t be any sort of hierarchy! How fun that you got a series recommendation from Paul’s girlfriend. She gets extra points for being a reader!!! 🙂
I know Lisa!!! She also likes sci fi, and I’m open to more recs.
Oh gosh we have such different tastes. None of these sound appealing to me!
I know, Nicole- we rarely overlap with books. It does happen, rarely!
The next time someone says high fantasy I will now know what they are talking about. I’m not sure if I’ve read any fantasy, but I’d definitely be Team Low. The closest examples that I can think of are time travel books, like 11/22/63 and Kindred – do those count?
I finished I’m Traveling Alone and loved it! So thanks for that rec!
Oh good- glad you loved that one. There’s a second book in the series- I haven’t read it yet.
i think Kindred is considered sci fi, at least that’s where it’s shelved in the bookstore. I might call it sci fi light though. 11/22/63, hmm! If it’s fantasy, it’s definitely low fantasy. Or sci fi as well? Hard to classify that one.
I have never read any Agatha Christie, but that is going to change! I picked one up at a Little Free Library!
I am not a big high fantasy (I think of it as ‘sword and sorcery’ fantasy). I prefer what is sometimes called Urban Fantasy, which is our world with the possibility of weirdness. Did you ever watch Northern Exposure? I loved the balance of realism and wacky happenings. People would go about their business and then every now and then start dreaming other people’s dreams.
I watched some of the Dresden Files, haven’t read any.
I cannot get into high fantasy books! And I’m not much one for “romantasy” either. I guess romantasy would be considered high fantasy? Maybe? I just struggle with something that’s not rooted in reality. I need to have SOMETHING to cling onto! I much prefer low fantasy books or really just books with a small amount of magical realism. Not enough to suspend my disbelief, but enough to add a little something-something to the narrative.