The Rebellious Readers discussion

I guess I never got a 100% clear answer on the monthly discussion things, so I'm just gonna go ahead and post. If you'd rather I didn't, feel free to just remove it again. I just didn't want it pushed back another month.

I spent a great deal of time in my life wondering why I'm so enchanted by reading, and even more so, why I'm so enchanted by fantasy books. The usual answer is "escapism", but I don't think that reading is just daydreaming for me. Today, I can explain myself better, but before I do, I'd like to know: Why do you guys like fantasy - or if you don't, what is it lacking for you? Is it because you want to escape from your own reality, or is there something else?

i always liked the thought of magic. in fantasy, in some way or another i find the magic that real life is sometimes just lacking. i guess i always wanted to magic in my life. fantasy books (and also movies) is the way i bring magic into my life.

Lucy Tonks wrote: "i always liked the thought of magic. in fantasy, in some way or another i find the magic that real life is sometimes just lacking. i guess i always wanted to magic in my life. fantasy books (and al..."

I think that's a very sweet answer. Is there any book that feels especially magical to you?

The thought of having to escape into a world that I can only dream could be real. i honestly don't know what life would be like without books but most of without fantasy. The adventure, the thrill.

Big part of it is that the fiction stuff I can experience in reall life but the fantasy stuff I could never so I guess for me it's also the Magical aspect of it. When I was little I really enjoyed reading about fairies and went into the woods to try find a portal to another realm xD

So so far the consensus seems to be: Fantasy has things real life doesn't have, and it's either a great escape or just more exciting because it has magic.

I have a follow up question for that:

What about all the unpleasant stuff that happens in fantasy books? We read a lot about bloodshed, death, hurt, betrayal. Many fantasy books have dangerous villains and scary beasts. Even magic often is not only beautiful, but can be terrifying too. However, I'd reckon most of us wouldn't turn those away, but might even prefer that. Why?