by JamieAs promised in my Jubilee special on the top 5 British fantasy authors, in celebration of July 4th while everyone's going nuts with fireworks and such, I give you my top 5 American contributions to fantasy. This also coincides with the Insecure Writer's Support Group, so I make the tenuous link by hoping that you take some inspiration from these fantasy greats when you're feeling insecure about your own writing. They made it, and so can you.
Incidentally, I'd like to apologise for the behaviour of my nation during the 1700's. We get kind of greedy once we get our paws on a country. But we gave you guys Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter and Doctor Who, so forgive and forget, eh?
 |
| Source: Wikipedia |
Robert E. Howard - Conan the Barbarian
 |
| Source: Wikipedia |
David Eddings - The Elenium Series
 |
| Source: Goodreads |
The man who put the 'epic' in epic fantasy. His Wheel of Time series is eleven books into it's fourteen book run - a series that continues to be written despite Jordan's death in 2007 (kudos to Brandon Sanderson for honouring Jordan's legacy). The series contains a lot of high concept mythology and a solid magic system that has inspired another generation of epic fantasy authors.
 |
| Source: LocusMag |
Robin Hobb - The Farseer Trilogy
Hobb's Farseer Trilogy is considered to be one of the greatest fantasy series of all time, and I'm sad to say that I've not read that much of her work. Whenever I think of Robin Hobb though, I tend to think of dragons above all else. Her approach to 'serious fantasy' means that you've got a well crafted world and a solid magic system that makes sense. I've got the first book of her Liveship Traders Trilogy on my shelf - I should really read it.
 |
| Source: Google Book Search |
The Daddy himself. Mr. "you'll get your sequels when they're damn good and ready". George R R Martin is a fantasy powerhouse whose booksinspired the 'gritty fantasy' genre. His no nonsense approach in showing the realities of basing your world on Medieval Europe and his 'kill your darlings' attitude to character mortality mark him out as one of the greats. It's no surprise at the HBO adaptation of A Song of Ice and Fire is doing so well.
I wanted to include so many more (Stephen Erikkson, R.A. Salvatore, Brandon Sanderson) but I had to whittle it down to 5 authors.
Who makes your top 5 American fantasy authors list? How are you celebrating July 4th?
I may be married to an American, but in general, I'm not their biggest fan ;) I definitely agree with Howard and Martin here, but I could easily discount the rest I'm afraid!
ReplyDeleteI'll have a think about who'd be on my list.....
As for the 4th...it's generally best not mentioned in our Anglo/American household! lol
You couldn't leave out Howard! Salvatore definitely comes to my mind and his work is so tied in with D&D.
ReplyDeleteI'd add Fritz Leiber to the list.
ReplyDeleteHi there. I'm so glad I had a chance to pop by from the IWSG. A new follower of your blog here! To be honest, I haven't read much fantasy, but I did read "A Song of Ice and Fire" and now you have caught my interest with Hobb's work so perhaps I'll check her out too. I was also thinking of reading "A Wizard of Earthsea," by Ursula K. Le Guin.
ReplyDeleteFantastic list! Some of my faves for sure. I love Ursula LeGuin's Earthsea series. Her writing is phenomenal.
ReplyDeleteI'm celebrating the Fourth at my sister's later tonight. the park across the river from her has a huge fireworks display.
God damn I need to learn to read faster, I haven't read any Song Of Ice And Fire yet. Great list. Are you apologising for the events of the 1700's because you were there? :P
ReplyDeleteI would definitely add Ursula LeGuin here as well as Marion Zimmer Bradley, Dan Simmons (altho I think he's classified as more of an SF rather than fantasy writer), Roger Zelazny, and Charles deLint, the master of urban fantasy.
ReplyDeleteIt was a tough list to write - I'm not as familiar with the US authors as I am with the UK ones.
ReplyDeleteHa! I imagine that causes some bother - hope you had a good day anyways :)
I've only had brief glimpses of Salvatore, but what I've read is pretty badass.
ReplyDeleteNot really heard of Leiber. Shall look him up, thanks :)
ReplyDeleteHi Siobhan. Well met! I've only heard of Earthsea but never read anything by Guin. Thanks for the recommendation :)
ReplyDeleteSounds awesome, hope you have a good night, Melissa :)
ReplyDeleteHa! I might have been, but wearing a white hoodie and carrying a Tomahawk ;)
ReplyDeletehttp://gamestatics.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/assassins_creed_3.jpg
I only recognise Dan Simmons and LeGuin from that list. Shall have to check out the others. Thanks :)
ReplyDeleteJaims, you have a talent for these lists. I have to say I have loved watching 'Mithril Wisdom' evolve as beautifully as it has over the last year. A+.
ReplyDeleteAww, shucks Suze, thanks :) Much appreciated.
ReplyDeleteWow. I haven't read the works of any of these writers. I need to do something about that asap. :(
ReplyDeleteRobin Hobb is definitely in my top five. I love her novels.
ReplyDeleteI think I need to get me a hat then I might look more the part of a fantasy writer ;)
Those are certainly some big names. One thing I'm finding more recently is that it's harder to pick out where someone is from in that way. There used to be, it seemed, distinctly british and american fantasy tones.
ReplyDeleteI've been thinking similar things myself. All the best authors wear hats! I might do a special on that in the future ...
ReplyDeleteVery true, Stuart; the lines are definitely blurring, and I think that there's a lot of great fantasy talent coming out of Australia now too. Thank the gods for Wikipedia, otherwise we might never have known :)
ReplyDeleteHow terrible is it that I've only heard of two of these writers?
ReplyDeleteNot so terrible; I've not read a whole lot by many of them myself, though I'm aware of their influence :)
ReplyDeleteI think I have more fantasy reading to do now. :)
ReplyDeleteGood choices! I think you've hit the big ones. Terry Brooks and Roger Zelazny would probably make my list, as well as Robert Jordan. I have yet to read George R.R. Martin.. his books just take so much commitment as they are so long!
ReplyDeleteYou and me both, Cherie :) I can't seem to keep up!
ReplyDeleteBrooks was a close one on the list, but I wasn't all too keen on what I'd read of his.
ReplyDelete