This book is a laugh-out-loud, affectionate send-up of all the classic tropes and clichés that crowd the fantasy genre. Presented as a travel guide for tourists in 'Fantasyland', it brilliantly pokes fun at everything from stew to color-coded heroes. Fantasy fans will love spotting the tongue-in-cheek nods to beloved books, and aspiring fantasy writers can treat it as both a warning and inspiration. If you've read more than a couple of fantasy novels - or ever rolled your eyes at a map in the front - this is for you.

Who May Not Like This Book:

If you’re hoping for a gripping story or traditional novel structure, you may be disappointed - this is set up as a mock encyclopedia, not a narrative. Some readers found it a bit repetitive or tiring if read cover-to-cover, rather than dipped into. The humor also relies on recognizing long-standing fantasy tropes, so newcomers to the genre (or those who prefer more recent fantasy innovations) might not get all the jokes.

A witty, clever satire and must-have companion for fantasy lovers and writers - best enjoyed in small, hilarious doses.

About:

'The Tough Guide to Fantasyland' by Diana Wynne Jones is a humorous and satirical exploration of the cliches and tropes found in the fantasy genre. Presented in the form of a travel guide or encyclopedia, the book cleverly dissects the common elements of high fantasy novels, from characters to plot devices to worldbuilding. Readers embark on a tour of Fantasyland, encountering familiar stereotypes like the dark lord, epic quests, and magical creatures, all with a witty and sarcastic tone that pokes fun at the conventions of the genre. Jones's writing style blends insightful commentary with comedic observations, offering a fresh perspective on the well-worn traditions of fantasy literature.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style combines humor and cleverness, presenting the content in a travel guide format that is witty and engaging.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot is framed as a travel guide to a fictional fantasy world, highlighting and mocking common literary tropes with satirical entries.

Setting:

The setting is an imaginative, generalized fantasy world filled with tropes from classic fantasy literature, depicted satirically.

Pacing:

The pacing can be slow as the book resembles an encyclopedia; it is best enjoyed in fragments or as a reference.

Notes:

Diana Wynne Jones is celebrated for her unique and humorous take on fantasy tropes.

The Tough Guide to Fantasyland serves as a mock travel guide for readers exploring common fantasy clichés.

The book is organized in an A to Z format, making it easy to flip through for amusing anecdotes.

Jones pokes fun at the genre's stereotypes, such as the portrayal of characters like the Gay Mage and the Serious Soldier.

Key entries include commentary on the absurdity of traditional fantasy elements, such as the prevalence of stew as a food staple.

Color coding of characters' clothing and physical attributes is emphasized as a crucial clue in Fantasyland.

The guide humorously points out how clothing rules are reversed in Fantasyland, where less clothing is worn in colder climates.

It includes entries on 'Bar Service,' which humorously critiques the lack of modern amenities in fantasy settings.

Jones uses 'Official Management Terms' to describe universal themes in the fantasy genre.

The book highlights how animals in Fantasyland often do not follow real-world biology, such as horses breeding through 'pollination'.

Readers are advised to not take the guide too seriously, as it is meant for entertainment rather than traditional narrative.

It is recommended as a useful tool for both fantasy readers and writers to understand and navigate genre conventions.

From The Publisher:

World Fantasy Award Finalist

A Hugo Award Finalist (Nonfiction)

1996

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241 pages

Ratings (2)

Loved It (1)
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Reader Stats (12):

Read It (3)
Want To Read (8)
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About the Author:

Diana Wynne Jones was the multiple award-winning author of many fantasy novels for children, teenagers, and adults. Her book Howl's Moving Castle was made into an Academy Award-nominated major animated feature by Hayao Miyazaki. She received the World Fantasy Lifetime Achievement Award…

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The Tough Guide to Fantasyland

Diana Wynne Jones

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