CanadianContent discussion

Although we also have a genre thread it includes both fantasy and science fiction so this can be dedicated to fantasy only.

I picked a free audio version of Airborn by Kenneth Oppel this summer from AudiobookSYNC. I think it qualifies as fantasy....

I'm still confused about the parameters of fantasy, but am currently considering Kindred (not Canadian) or Smoke (Canadian but not sure if this is truly fantasy).

I saw that Ron Sexsmith has a novel coming out (Deer Life) that sounds very fantastical. Or I could probably go the graphic novel route.

Are Nalo Hopkinson's novels considered fantasy? I really need help with this square.

Susan wrote: "I'm still confused about the parameters of fantasy"

Second that. The lines separating science fiction and fantasy are a little blurry to me!

I love Ron Sexsmith!! If his new book qualifies, then I'd consider that for sure. He is so lovely and creative and talented.

I've decided on either A Wrinkle in Time or Frankenstein for the Fantasy square. I'd be open to opinion on those too, but they seem to me to fit the bill... from what I understand... which is very little...

Susan wrote: "I'm still confused about the parameters of fantasy, but am currently considering Kindred (not Canadian) or Smoke (Canadian but not sure if this is truly fantasy).

I sa..."

Nalo Hopkinon's novels are considered fantasy and would be a good choice if you like her style of writing.

I went to the Sunburst Awards to find a book (Canadian authors etc.) I've chosen a shortlisted book Signal to Noise by Silvia Moreno-Garcia to read. The topic and the author's background appealed to me.

proof re fantasy http://www.silviamoreno-garcia.com/bl...

Nalo Hopkinson's Brown Girl In The Ring and Sister Mine (more likely) are back-up possibilities.

In January 2017 a member named Peter joined our group. He's a huge fan of this genre and administrator with the Sunburst Awards.

Peter if you're checking in, please jump in. Am thinking you'd be a great resource.

Here's Peter's intro post.

topic: Introduce Yourself (346 posts) Jan 30, 2017 11:42AM

Peter
message by Peter:

Hi everyone.

The pertinent facts: I read / I collect / I obsess about English-Canadian fantastika. Fantastika is an old-fashioned word recently revived by John Clute which encompasses non-mimetic fiction.

In short: sf & f, supernatural horror, magic realist, fabulist, and surrealist works.

I guess it should come as no surprise, then, that I am one of the admins of the Sunburst Award.

www.sunburstaward.org

Peter, thanks in advance for your comments and ideas on this Bingo Square and people's questions.

The same holds true for members like Shvaugn, Mary Anne, Barbara, Magdelanye, Diane (sorry if I missed anyone). You each seem to dabble a fair bit in this genre and no doubt have much to offer. Feel free to jump in and help out with questions from many of us just beginning to put our toes in the water.

I read Seraphina for the YA square this year, but it would definitely qualify as fantasy.

Pretty sure all these would work: Namesake, Volume 1, Traitor's Blade, The Red Knight, Gardens of the Moon,

I posted this in the Bingo Commentary thread but thought I'd update my thoughts here with an additional list of books.

The reason I chose fantasy was because there's a sci-fi square for 2017 so I figured that it would make a nice balance. But I do agree that the lines are super blurry between subgenres. It's not the easiest to figure out where magical realism starts and fantasy stops. In my opinion I don't really care whether people read fantasy or sci-fi for that square. I would encourage you to read something of the magical nature rather than technological in the spirit of the square. but go ahead and read anything from horror to magical realism to fantasy to to paranormal romance to space opera and beyond. I would just request that people don't go reading hard sci-fi, which is defined by its emphasis on scientific accuracy.

Now some books and authors I recommend include:

- Namesake by Isabel Melançon. A fantastic graphic novel that's a riff off fairy tales and children's classics. The art is beautiful, the story fantastic and it keeps getting better. It's available to read as a webcomic here as well so it would also count for the non-paper format square.

- Michelle Sagara West aka Michelle West aka Michelle Sagara. If you're looking for epic fantasy check out the Essalieyan Series, which is comprised of The Sacred Hunt Duology, The Sun Sword Series, and The House War Series. If you're looking for something lighter with a bit of romance check out her Chronicles of Elantra Series which will appeal to fans of romance and mystery books.

- Martine Desjardins writes creepy, weird fantastical stuff. I have only read Maleficium but it was super weird and interesting.

- Nalo Hopkinson writes really interesting and cool genre fiction that blur the lines between fantasy, sci-fi and dystopia. Favourites that I've read and seen recommended around here include Brown Girl in the Ring, Midnight Robber, and The Salt Roads.

- Jo Walton is Welsh-Canadian so I say she counts! Books to check out include Among Others, The Just City and Tooth and Claw.

- Claudie Arseneault is an indie author from Québec. Her debut novel City of Strife came out earlier this year and the sequel is due out in October.

- Silvia Moreno-Garcia writes weird, fantastical stories of the magic and the strange. I really enjoyed her collection This Strange Way of Dying and have heard good things about Signal to Noise and Certain Dark Things.

- Krista D. Ball is an indie author from Alberta. If you're looking for a light romance check out her Spirit Caller Novella Series. Other series include The Dark Abyss of Our Sins and Tales of Tranquility.

- Tanya Huff is one of the queens of Canadian fantasy. I loved The Enchantment Emporium which is a weird, wacky urban fantasy set in Calgary. The rest of her work is high on my TBR.

- Gemma Files writes weird westerns and dark, creepy fantasy. Her Hexslinger Series and novel Experimental Film have been well received.

- Guy Gavriel Kay is one of Canada's most famous fantasy authors. I loved his novel Tigana and the rest of his work is also very beloved by people. He tends to write low-magic, alternate history kinds of novel so check out his work if you like historical fiction.

- Charles de Lint is another big name. Growing up his novel The Blue Girl was a favourite of mine. His work tends to be very fantastical and magical in tone.

I hope this list helps a bit. I'm happy to answer any questions about the books I've read or recommendations.

Thanks @Shvaugn - this is so helpful!!

Thank you Shvaugn! So many great ideas!

I forgot to add Nancy Baker! Her novel Cold Hillside is one of my favourites and got me back into reading after a long slump.

I recently enjoyed Owl and the Japanese Circus by Canadian Kristi Charish. While it looks like it might be YA - it's got some serious adult content. 4 in the series -
one yet to come out: you've been warned :)

Kelley Armstrong has several fantasy series to choose from. I will probably read Omens.

Allison ༻hikes the bookwoods༺ wrote: "I read Seraphina for the YA square this year, but it would definitely qualify as fantasy."

I think I may read Shadow Scale, the sequel to Seraphina, for this square.

Help me out, folks. I’m struggling to identify the difference between fantasy, sci-fi and dystopian.

I remember someone saying fantasy is elves not aliens. Ha! So I’m trying to keep that guideline in mind. It’s more than elves, obviously. But would Marrow Thieves fit here? American War? They both have a dystopian / not-real / (fantasy?) element to them. But do they make the cut??

I was going to use The Marrow Thieves for the fantasy square, but after reading it I felt like the fantasy component was so minimal that I'd be cheating a bit by using it there. LOL.

The dystopian/fantasy distinction really confuses me too.

@Allison

The reason I chose fantasy was because there's a sci-fi square for 2017 so I figured that it would make a nice balance. But I do agree that the lines are super blurry between subgenres. It's not the easiest to figure out where magical realism starts and fantasy stops. In my opinion I don't really care whether people read fantasy or sci-fi for that square. I would encourage you to read something of the magical nature rather than technological in the spirit of the square. but go ahead and read anything from horror to magical realism to fantasy to to paranormal romance to space opera and beyond. I would just request that people don't go reading hard sci-fi, which is defined by its emphasis on scientific accuracy.

Go ahead and read The Marrow Thieves or American War for this square. I'd say they count in the spirit of it.

Thanks for this Shvaugn. That’s helpful!