Skip to content

The Best Reasons to Read Fantasy

  • by

My favourite genre is the fantasy genre. I was a huge fan of fantasy as a kid likely due to searching for books that resembled Harry Potter, and I still devour a lot of fantasy books today. There’s so much to like about it. Here five reasons you should also read it.

1. Explore your imagination

Fantasy encourages imagination. It’s the same about science fiction, but science fiction remains rooted in the real world. Even if it transports you to a totally other world however, the logic of that universe is similar to our own. Fantasy allows for everything to be created, giving the creator full control and freedom of imagination. There are no limits, other than those that the author has created.

“It’s been stated”science fiction” and “fantasy” are distinct things that are science fiction, the impossible made feasible while fantasy is the impossible realized as probable.” — Rod Serling (The Twilight Zone, “The Fugitive”)

Things that are imaginative can be amazing and thrilling, particularly in the event that it’s not something you’d have thought of yourself. Fantasy allows you to look into other people’s worlds and in turn, into their thoughts.

In addition, imagination can create fantasies however, it also aids us develop problem-solving abilities. The technology and our world that we have access to are evolving rapidly, but there are still challenges we face and new challenges that arise as a result of our way of life and impact our surroundings. Inspiring people to think outside the box, they think by using their imagination and to come up with new solutions.

2. Escape reality

I’m sure that most people have heard about the concept of escapism. The most effective method of escape from reality is through fantasies. According to the subgenre you will find stories that contain just a few elements which are purely fantastical, or with an all-fantastical setting.

“I have said that Escape is among the primary purposes of fairy-tales and as I am not in disapproval of them, it’s evident that I don’t believe in the attitude of ridicule or pity that Escape is often employed. What is the reason a person should be treated with scorn if, after being trapped in prison wants to leave and go home? If he is unable to accomplish this, he contemplates and speaks about different topics other than prison walls and jailers?” – J.R.R. Tolkien

I don’t see any reason not to escape into the pages of a novel. This doesn’t mean that you cannot confront reality or that you’d prefer take a different path than your own. Escapism helps you get rid of your worries while dealing with the problems of someone else, giving you to be free from stress and stress. Also, it lets you enjoy experiences that you could never have otherwise which is why it has an element of the wish-fulfillment.

Click here for the best modern fantasy books

3. Comprehend reality

“Fantasy isn’t a way of escaping from reality. It’s a method of understanding it.” Lloyd Alexander. Lloyd Alexander

I have mentioned fantasy as a means to escape reality. However, it also aids us in understanding reality.

The most compelling fantasy stories contain symbolic parallels between reality and fantasy, and allow us to understand the what happens in the real world through a fantasy lens. Through the use of fantasy, we are able to confront real issues in a manner that doesn’t have the same impact on our lives, and consequently isn’t as terrifying or overwhelming. We can analyze and dissect aspects that are discussed in stories , and apply the knowledge to our personal lives. For example, fantasy may look at the implications of living under oppression of a corrupt state or the way to maximize collaboration to achieve an objective, or tackle problems that you find offensive or identify the need for assistance.

4. Empathy

A lot of the ways we perceive reality through fiction are investigated through characterisation and development. The more relatable characters’ experiences are, the more the reader will be hoping that they’ll achieve. This doesn’t mean that the characters shouldn’t fly through the air on dragons. It’s just their fear of heights and the thrill they feel after they’ve become accustomed to flying, are the things that make them easily relatable. These emotions are what bring readers to the stories. Dragons aren’t. They’ll aid in making the story more exciting however they’re not the main factor that connects readers. The dragon won’t be if it’s hurt, or has lost one of its victims, or happy to be freed. The fantastical elements are the source of emotions. are generated.

Sometimes, we aren’t able to examine all of our emotions in our real lives however, we can do it in another. Fantasy explores healthy ways to deal with emotions, both our own and those of others. Fantasy characters are seen in all sorts of situations and, as we are encouraged to connect to them through emotion, we become more sympathetic to their struggles. Fantasy helps you feel empathy about the people in various situations to you, because beneath all the fantasy and dragons and fantasy, it is primarily about human beings.

“You cannot truly understand the person you are talking to until you look at things from his perspective… until you step inside his skin and wander through it.” Harper Lee – Harper Lee (To Kill a Mockingbird)

5. Hope

Sometimes, reality can be overwhelming with all the negative happenings around the globe. Fantasy can inspire hope, particularly during difficult times. If a character could travel the globe, through dry deserts and frozen mountains to save the world and you’re able to get through the test in the near future! Fantasy helps us understand that things will improve and that even through the downs and ups there is always the possibility of a brighter future. It helps us dream of the big picture. It helps us realize that we are capable of achieving more than we imagine. It also teaches us that the ability to transform our world is within us.

“The world is filled with danger And within it exist many places of darkness, however, there is a lot that is right and, even although in all places there is a fusion of love and sadness, it may grow to be to the higher.” — J.R.R. Tolkien (The The Fellowship of the Ring)

People who don’t read fantasy often look down upon it and do not consider it as educational. I am not one of them, since there are many more lessons to be learned that what you learned in schools, or the things you can discover in the classic. The stories of fantasy are full of life lessons that will take a lot of time to master from your own experiences. Like you can learn from real-life people, so can you gain knowledge from characters.

I believe that everyone should be reading whatever they like to. My tastes in reading vary but I still consider fantasy to be my top choice. I don’t believe there are any good books or ones to read since everyone has their own opinions. A book that you do not like can be inspiring and cherished by others. I’ve read books I’ve thought were excellent, as well as books that I’ve considered to be bad However, I’m not sure there’s ever been a single book that I didn’t learn something from.