ABSTRACT
The Shape of Fantasy is an in-depth look at Heroic Epic Fantasy. It depicts structural and narrative patterns with models stemming from science and philosophy. Although Fantasy Fiction is generally defined by its impossibility, Fantasy Fiction not an illogical form. It is, in fact, governed by a sense of rules and structure, one that reflects our current understanding of space-time and cosmology. These models are an integral part of the structure of Heroic Epic Fantasy itself. Thus, this book introduces new ways of perceiving current productions of the Fantasy genre. In doing so, it also explores how Fantasy Fiction exhibits a conscious awareness of its own form.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
chapter 1|16 pages
The Shape of a Hero’s Soul
Interrogating the Destiny of the Hero in Lois McMaster Bujold’s The Curse of Chalion (2001)
chapter 2|12 pages
Forks in the Road
Assessing the Paradoxical Nature of Fixed and Fluid Time in Mercedes Lackey’s The Fairy Godmother (2004)
chapter 3|20 pages
Building Layers of Character
Analysing the Construction of the Hero in Robert Jordan’s The Great Hunt (1990)
chapter 4|17 pages
The Ou-Hero
Considering the Possibility for the Hero to Become Villain (and Vice Versa) in David Farland’s The Wyrmling Horde (2008)
chapter 5|16 pages
The Messianic Hero
Exploring the Hero’s Willing Confrontation with Death in Gail Z. Martin’s The Summoner (2007)
chapter 6|18 pages
Breaking into Fantasyland
Investigating How Fracturing and Entropy Motivates the Plot in Terry Goodkind’s Stone of Tears (1995)
chapter 7|18 pages
The Hero as Portal
Examining the Hero’s Role as Reversal of Entropy in James Clemens’ Shadowfall (2006)
chapter 8|22 pages
Perfect Epic Empires
Appraising Cycles of Utopia and Anti-Utopia in Brandon Sanderson’s Hero of Ages (2008)
chapter 9|16 pages
Chaotic Cycles
Evaluating Patterns Within and Between Sequel Series in David and Leigh Eddings’ The Seeress of Kell (1991)
