Fantasy Novels Deconstructed [Infographic]

Why do you like fantasy? As a fantasy-addict, I’ve had to answer this question many times to my father, middle school football coach, ex-girlfriend… But for any fantasy-junkie, the answer is simple: it’s awesome. However, as bizarre as it sounds, there are people who don’t like fantasy, who buy into the lie of, “It’s just a bunch of monsters, wizards and men with goatees swinging swords, and casting spells until the good guys just sort of ‘win’.” To be fair, that’s an accurate description of Robert Jordan’s “Wheel of Time” saga, (which was still pretty cool).

This infographic uses Tolkien’s works to break down the structure of epic fantasy. There are wizards, heroes, mythical races of elves, orcs, etc. But Tolkien’s work was so much more, he invented an entire lore and history of a fictional universe, he invented languages! He created a structure for later fantasy writers to follow, like Terry Goodkind or Brandon Sanderson.

Then there’s the new wave of fantasy writers, notably George R.R. Martin. This new breed of fantasy’s characters are grey, neither good nor bad (unless it’s Joffrey), and contain more plot-based writing than lore, creating a new realm of nerdy-awesomeness.

With the huge success of ‘Game of Thrones’ and ‘The Hobbit’ films, it seems like the masses are starting to think fantasy is cool too, but don’t stop there! Read the books! Then nerds like myself will find girlfriends/boyfriends who like fantasy just as much and live happily ever after. The end. [Via]

 

Fantasy-Novels-Infographic


© Erich for Daily Infographic, 2014. |
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Post tags: A Song of Ice and Fire, books, fantasy, film, game of thrones, George R.R. Martin, Goodkind, literature, Lord of the Rings, movies, novels, reading, The Hobbit

 

The Psychology of Book Abandonment [infographic]

How much time do you invest in a book you can’t get into before you decide it’s time to cut your losses? What is your breaking point? Goodreads put together an infographic highlighting the top-five books abandoned by Goodreads’ users. Unsurprisingly, three of the five I have abandoned myself. But reading this infographic got me thinking a lot about the psychology behind an abandoned book.

I rarely abandon books; I feel defeated when it happens. In fact, before today I would have claimed that I always finish books–even if I hate them. I abandoned Eat Pray Love with one chapter to go, Fifty Shades of Grey 250 pages in, and The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo after the first chapter. I haven’t read Casual Vacancy for fear of having an abandoned J.K. Rowling book on my record. All of these books were recommended to me. I am afraid that I tend to neglect books that are recommended and then lent to me to read. I generally read books according to where I am in life emotionally. If I am reading a book that I haven’t already created some prearranged attachment to based on the level of emotional support I need it to provide me at the time, I just can’t get into it.

What’s your stance on abandonment? Are you an always-finish-no-matter-what kind of person? Have you ever hated the main character of a book? Do you hide your book covers in the airport because your reading selection embarrasses you? And most importantly, has anyone (other than my sister whom I envy for her reading abilities) read Catch 22 cover to cover? [via]


© Lindsey Lawrence for Daily Infographic, 2013. |
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Post tags: Abandoning Books, books, Goodreads, Psychology of Book Abandonment, Psychology of Reading, reading, Top Five, Top Five Abandoned Classics, Top Five Most Abandoned Books