If it wasn't established so early on about the nature of the unseen university's library and its books, I would've guessed that the quote "we don't let them out of the science-fiction department" was the inspiration for that
Some people react that way when you call A Game of Thrones fantasy, and seem to want to think of it as medieval historical fiction. How they can rationalize this with history that never happened in a world that doesn't exist, I don't know.
I'm ... somewhat amused that the interviewer seems to think a Major Author like Terry Pratchett doesn't *want* his novels in the Science Fiction/Fantasy section. I think Terry nails the reason for this attitude from the interviewer with his anecdote about his agent, of course, and I think his reaction is exactly correct: he is writing fantasy, and he has no objection to that.
@Tbonetardis The whole JK Rowling thing was completely blown out of proportion by the media. What Terry Pratchett once said in a speech was that the media seemed to say that JK Rowling had revived and broken the boundaries of the Fantasy genre. He simply pointed out that this was not the case and that fantasy had always been around and thriving, it's just the media that are ignorant. As for Tolkien: he does not deny that the man is a major inspiration, but he does not see his work as flawless.
I met Terry Pratchett once at a book signing. I couldn't have been prouder if Shakespeare himself had signed me a copy of Taming of the Shrew! My life is complete.
i think someone once said that fantasy isn´t a good genre of literature because in fantasy anything could happen. that´s the most stupid thing i´ve ever heared.
@TotalNekro actually i think you are quite wrong, (i disagree on principle with genre distinctions and if i have to mention sci-fi or fantasy prefer the less restricting term conceptual fiction) but they do, conceptual fiction uses certain ideas, or concepts that dont exist as a device to explore certain ideas etc, and LOTR clear WWI+II analogy while 1984 explores the consequence of totalitarian regimes in the post war period, there is a clear connection and influence from contemporary events
@GoblinXXX I totally agree. Sciene Fiction is about taking an idea or concept and placing it in a fictional setting in order to understand or interpret it differently; good examples being Planet of the Apes, Children of Men, Being John Malkovich, Eternal Sunshine, Outer Limits, etc. Star Wars doesn't really do any of this. It is simply a classic fable of good vs evil, with a dose of romance and redemption thrown in. I love Star Wars (the originals), but it is fantasy, not sci-fi.
@Didaktylos7 I agree. It's like saying HP Lovecraft or Doctor Who or Harry Potter or Narnia or Lord of the Rings are crap because none of that stuff would ever actually happen.
Yes, even without the magic. I once commented on the ridiculously high nature of the skycell that Tyrion is imprisoned in, that appears to be like 3,000 feet in the air, and someone replied saying that it was 'only' about 1,000 feet and within heights that exist in our own world. Because otherwise it would be too fantastical, I guess? Seriously, lol.
@Tbonetardis I'd agree with the disparaging tone, but then again I would be pretty annoyed myself if journalists kept rocking up and asking if I had been inspired by JK Rowling. I think he was also fired up by the fact Rowling said she didn't consider her work to be fantasy (for some strange reason), thus yet again giving the impression that fantasy isn't worthy of attention. Recently, Neil Gaiman was under fire in an almost identical situation, involving the Twilight books.
@somberlight no, sci-fi that can theoretically exist is generally called hard sci-fi. most sci-fi is definitely not this. for example the matter books or star wars or most sci-fi all have no basis in scientific concepts. isaac asmiov said if a technology is sufficiently advanced it is indistinguishable from magic. and often times it might as well be in sci-fi
What is it with the bloody bbc and splitting interviews up into randomly titled chunks, FOR THE LOVE OF EVERYONE ON THE INTERNET NUMBER, TITLE OR JUST KEEP THEM FING TOGETHER araararariaiaiarara
@Tbonetardis It's a real shame that fantasy is dismissed like that, and kind of weird, considering that Lord of the Rings is one of the most popular works of fiction ever produced. And so is Harry Potter. And the Narnia books. And of course Terry Pratchett is the only author aside from Dickens to have 5 books in the top 100 most read books... But somehow its more acceptable to read big-lettered celebrity autobiographies. I don't get it.
I think the late and very,very great Kurt Vonnegut put this debate best in an essay he wrote that included: "I have been a sore-headed occupant of a file-drawer labeled ''science- fiction'' ever since, and I would like out, particularly since so many serious critics regularly mistake the drawer for a tall white fixture in a comfort station."
They don't have to. Stuff in a sub-set of a set doesn't have to have a lot in common with the stuff outside the sub-set of a set. Fantasy is 'stuff that you can't see on the high street today' Science Fiction is 'stuff that you can't see on the high street today with stuff that goes bleep'. comments? questions? h.
@Dubzoomember It's in Neil Gaiman's blog, the post from the 26th of June 2010 called "Sire I have news". I wish I could send you a link, but that won't work...
got all his books in paperback and hardback 3 of them signed by the great man himself he is the best there is in this genre of writing long may he be with us!!!!
Categorizing a Pratchett book is about as easy as keeping Nobby Nobbs from pocketing the silverware. Fantasy, science fiction, mystery, thriller, satire, whatever your tastes, chances are there's a Discworld book for you.
@SonofAbel I've seen otherwise intelligent people close their eyes and cover their ears and scream that STAR WARS is Science Fiction because it has SPACESHIPS, as if categorizing it as Fantasy somehow lessens it. STARS WARS is either really SHITTY Science Fiction, or really GOOD Fantasy. I prefer to think of it as the latter.
@LsBaba Hmm... Had I not already been an atheist, Michael Crichton's TIMELINE would have convinced me that there could be no loving god in this universe... But that's probably not what you mean. ;)
Read, and own all the Discworld books. Gotta say Rincewind an Detritus are the best characters EVER! Cant believe the poor bugger gtz alzhymers bless im. Pratchett 4 king!
Yeah, I'm not sure how (or WHY) the castle in question was supposedly built, with its James Bond villain pit in the floor; That scene reminded me a bit of the titling spiked platform in the flying city in the FLASH GORDON movie!
@Crunchy68 o, i evny you a bit, although envy ain't quite everything i feel ^^ it's also feel happy for you to have been face to face to pratchett in person! keep that book in high honor!
Here you have a man that knows how it's done. Very sad to hear of his diagnosis. I hope the condition does not progress for a few more years; I'd like some more Discworld, please, as most of us would.
I haven't read THRONES, but seen the series, and while that is pretty hard-headed and realistic, you;re absolutely right, it's still fantasy, and would be even without the MAGIC elements it clearly has. It's a bit like Robert E Howard's CONAN, in that magic takes a back seat, but it's clearly still there!
small but VERY defining difference; Fantasy believes in magic, and the existence of completely imaginary beings. Everything in Scifi can exist, at least theoretically. that said, i think i have to disagree.
If it wasn't established so early on about the nature of the unseen university's library and its books, I would've guessed that the quote "we don't let them out of the science-fiction department" was the inspiration for that
That's part of the appeal of fantasy - it doesn't have to justify itself. Why not put a hole in the floor of a castle above the clouds? Works for me!
I love how when he said near the end,"I started to realize around book 4", I automatically thought "Mort".
Biggest bookshop in Uppsala, Sweden actually had it's own Terry Pratchett corner between fantasy and sci-fi. No other auther got that kind of space.
Some people react that way when you call A Game of Thrones fantasy, and seem to want to think of it as medieval historical fiction. How they can rationalize this with history that never happened in a world that doesn't exist, I don't know.
I'm ... somewhat amused that the interviewer seems to think a Major Author like Terry Pratchett doesn't *want* his novels in the Science Fiction/Fantasy section. I think Terry nails the reason for this attitude from the interviewer with his anecdote about his agent, of course, and I think his reaction is exactly correct: he is writing fantasy, and he has no objection to that.
Hardly science-fiction. Rather part fantasy with a large helping of satire.
@Tbonetardis The whole JK Rowling thing was completely blown out of proportion by the media. What Terry Pratchett once said in a speech was that the media seemed to say that JK Rowling had revived and broken the boundaries of the Fantasy genre. He simply pointed out that this was not the case and that fantasy had always been around and thriving, it's just the media that are ignorant.
As for Tolkien: he does not deny that the man is a major inspiration, but he does not see his work as flawless.
I met Terry Pratchett once at a book signing. I couldn't have been prouder if Shakespeare himself had signed me a copy of Taming of the Shrew! My life is complete.
i think someone once said that fantasy isn´t a good genre of literature because in fantasy anything could happen. that´s the most stupid thing i´ve ever heared.
"SF's no good", they cry until we're deaf,
"and if it's good, then it is not SF!"
Exactly
@TotalNekro actually i think you are quite wrong, (i disagree on principle with genre distinctions and if i have to mention sci-fi or fantasy prefer the less restricting term conceptual fiction)
but they do, conceptual fiction uses certain ideas, or concepts that dont exist as a device to explore certain ideas etc,
and LOTR clear WWI+II analogy while 1984 explores the consequence of totalitarian regimes in the post war period, there is a clear connection and influence from contemporary events
@GoblinXXX I totally agree. Sciene Fiction is about taking an idea or concept and placing it in a fictional setting in order to understand or interpret it differently; good examples being Planet of the Apes, Children of Men, Being John Malkovich, Eternal Sunshine, Outer Limits, etc.
Star Wars doesn't really do any of this. It is simply a classic fable of good vs evil, with a dose of romance and redemption thrown in. I love Star Wars (the originals), but it is fantasy, not sci-fi.
@Didaktylos7 I agree. It's like saying HP Lovecraft or Doctor Who or Harry Potter or Narnia or Lord of the Rings are crap because none of that stuff would ever actually happen.
Yes, even without the magic. I once commented on the ridiculously high nature of the skycell that Tyrion is imprisoned in, that appears to be like 3,000 feet in the air, and someone replied saying that it was 'only' about 1,000 feet and within heights that exist in our own world. Because otherwise it would be too fantastical, I guess? Seriously, lol.
Shakespeare is fantasy. Deal wiith it. Game of Thrones too in case anyone didn't know.
@Tbonetardis I'd agree with the disparaging tone, but then again I would be pretty annoyed myself if journalists kept rocking up and asking if I had been inspired by JK Rowling. I think he was also fired up by the fact Rowling said she didn't consider her work to be fantasy (for some strange reason), thus yet again giving the impression that fantasy isn't worthy of attention.
Recently, Neil Gaiman was under fire in an almost identical situation, involving the Twilight books.
@somberlight
no, sci-fi that can theoretically exist is generally called hard sci-fi. most sci-fi is definitely not this. for example the matter books or star wars or most sci-fi all have no basis in scientific concepts.
isaac asmiov said if a technology is sufficiently advanced it is indistinguishable from magic.
and often times it might as well be in sci-fi
Unfortunately, due to the cruelness of the world, he may not be with us much longer :( God bless Terry Pratchett
What is it with the bloody bbc and splitting interviews up into randomly titled chunks, FOR THE LOVE OF EVERYONE ON THE INTERNET NUMBER, TITLE OR JUST KEEP THEM FING TOGETHER araararariaiaiarara
@Tbonetardis It's a real shame that fantasy is dismissed like that, and kind of weird, considering that Lord of the Rings is one of the most popular works of fiction ever produced. And so is Harry Potter. And the Narnia books. And of course Terry Pratchett is the only author aside from Dickens to have 5 books in the top 100 most read books...
But somehow its more acceptable to read big-lettered celebrity autobiographies. I don't get it.
Fantasy is the genre and science fiction is a sub genre of it. Not vice versa.
I think the late and very,very great Kurt Vonnegut put this debate best in an essay he wrote that included:
"I have been a sore-headed occupant of a file-drawer labeled ''science- fiction'' ever since, and I would like out, particularly since so many serious critics regularly mistake the drawer for a tall white fixture in a comfort station."
Terry Pratchett and his idea for how the world should work for the president of the world ! Thumbs up if you agree
They don't have to. Stuff in a sub-set of a set doesn't have to have a lot in common with the stuff outside the sub-set of a set.
Fantasy is 'stuff that you can't see on the high street today'
Science Fiction is 'stuff that you can't see on the high street today with stuff that goes bleep'.
comments? questions?
h.
Science fiction is fantasy with rivets on the outside. HA! Very true.
@Dubzoomember
It's in Neil Gaiman's blog, the post from the 26th of June 2010 called "Sire I have news". I wish I could send you a link, but that won't work...
got all his books in paperback and hardback 3 of them signed by the great man himself he is the best there is in this genre of writing long may he be with us!!!!
"the joy of plot".......thats make a lot off sense actually.......
Categorizing a Pratchett book is about as easy as keeping Nobby Nobbs from pocketing the silverware. Fantasy, science fiction, mystery, thriller, satire, whatever your tastes, chances are there's a Discworld book for you.
@SonofAbel I've seen otherwise intelligent people close their eyes and cover their ears and scream that STAR WARS is Science Fiction because it has SPACESHIPS, as if categorizing it as Fantasy somehow lessens it. STARS WARS is either really SHITTY Science Fiction, or really GOOD Fantasy. I prefer to think of it as the latter.
@LsBaba Hmm... Had I not already been an atheist, Michael Crichton's TIMELINE would have convinced me that there could be no loving god in this universe... But that's probably not what you mean. ;)
Terry Pratchett is AWESOME!!!!
Read, and own all the Discworld books. Gotta say Rincewind an Detritus are the best characters EVER! Cant believe the poor bugger gtz alzhymers bless im. Pratchett 4 king!
Yeah, I'm not sure how (or WHY) the castle in question was supposedly built, with its James Bond villain pit in the floor; That scene reminded me a bit of the titling spiked platform in the flying city in the FLASH GORDON movie!
Are they brothers?
@Crunchy68 o, i evny you a bit, although envy ain't quite everything i feel ^^ it's also feel happy for you to have been face to face to pratchett in person! keep that book in high honor!
I have a lot of his books and all of his audio books too. I lay in bed at night listening to them.
Here you have a man that knows how it's done. Very sad to hear of his diagnosis. I hope the condition does not progress for a few more years; I'd like some more Discworld, please, as most of us would.
@thenouv
Gaiman and Twilight? Please elaborate.
I haven't read THRONES, but seen the series, and while that is pretty hard-headed and realistic, you;re absolutely right, it's still fantasy, and would be even without the MAGIC elements it clearly has. It's a bit like Robert E Howard's CONAN, in that magic takes a back seat, but it's clearly still there!
@Cobjagger
Lovely guy.
Sci Fi is not a subset of fantasy. Take books like 1984 or I, Robot, they have nothing in common with Tolkien or the like.
science fiction to me is questioning the of reality
shadow moses me is to fiction science questioning reality of the.
Cosmic Muffet that cosmic muffin must have been good. :)
small but VERY defining difference; Fantasy believes in magic, and the existence of completely imaginary beings. Everything in Scifi can exist, at least theoretically. that said, i think i have to disagree.
Everything? Like The Force?