Literary Blog Party--Faith and Fantasy

I'm participating in Joy's blog party! Today she asks us questions about Fantasy and Faith. And my answers are super long, so hang tight! Here we go!

1. Taken from a Christian perspective, what are your thoughts and feelings on the fantasy genre in general? Do you hold to any convictions or guidelines on things like magic, sorcery, fantastical elements or allegory in fantasy books?

I love fantasy, but I am picky about what sort I read or watch. Much depends on what world it takes place in. In a fantastic world of the author's imagination, I accept that there are different physical rules. Personally, I prefer magical powers to be born or given, not learned or consumed which is just too much like the drugs and sorcery of this world. When the author connects their fantasy to THIS world, my guard goes up ten times, because now they're involving the place I live in and changing the rules to what I believe. This is the world my God created and it lives under His law. Though great Christian fantasy authors have entwined fantasy into this world, like Lewis, Tolkien, and Ashlee Willis, this is the reason I won't ready fantasy such as Harry Potter. 

 

2. Who are some of your favourite fantasy/fairy-tale authors? (you can name up to three.)

Anne Elisabeth Stengl

J. R. R. Tolkien

Lloyd Alexander

3. Have you read The Chronicles of Narnia books, or watched any of the movies? Which, if so, are your three favourite books?

The Horse and His Boy, The Magician's Nephew, and The Last Battle (Is there any better ending to a fantasy series than in Heaven?)

4. How many books by J.R.R. Tolkien have you read and enjoyed so far? Can you choose a favourite book (The Lord of the Rings can be considered one book ;)?

The Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit, The Simarillion, The Tolkien Reader (including many of his short stories, poems, and essay), and good chunks of The Lays of Beleriand and The Unfinished Tales.

As much as I love his Lord of the Rings, I probably love The Hobbit more because it's so FUNNY. And I have Tolkien's World From A to Z: The Complete Guide to Middle-Earth by Robert Foster, that tells me pretty much anything I want to know. :)

5. Uhm. . . since, C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien were friends, I will not risk causing further estrangement to the history of their friendship by pitting them against each other! However, being the mastermind of mischief that I am, I will toss this question your way: which of the two are you most fond of in sense of storytelling, characters, themes and what personally touches/inspires you the most: The Lord of the Rings, or The Chronicles of Narnia?

C.S. Lewis definitely came up some amazing ideas and brought the truth of our God to the fantasy world as few have ever done. I read his books in childhood constantly. But when I discovered Lord of the Rings I discovered an entire other world that has inspired me for my own stories again and again!

6. Are there other books and movies of the fantasy/fairy-tale/legend genre that have you read and loved, especially from modern authors? Please tell us a little bit about them.

The Tales of Goldstone Wood by Anne Elisabeth Stengl completely astonished me. I picked up the first book at the library without any idea that I was picking up the most genius fantasy series I've ever read (I like it even better than Lewis or Tolkien)! Her messages of God's undeserved grace given to real people in a complicated world of fae and mortals absolutely enchants me. 

I also enjoyed Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson though his story was a bit heavier than I'm used to (lots of violence) and his worldview was Morman, but still, his crafting of worlds, magic, and characters was flawless and his action scenes were the best I've read. I've only read the first book, but his writing kind of inspired me.

I also enjoy (don't laugh) the TV series, Avatar: The Last Airbender and The Legend of Korra. Now the world view is definitely Eastern philosophy, which is a bit more prevalent and bothersome in season 2 of Legend of Korra. But when grounded in Christian faith, I think it is good to be aware of where other people are coming from in their beliefs. This show (it takes a few episodes to get used to the animation) is so packed with the themes of good vs. evil, sacrificial love, the importance of family, courage in the face of impossibilities, and wonderful characters who can seem so REAL at times....well, I really enjoy it. :)

7. Have you read any Christian allegories, such as Pilgrim's Progress, Holy War or Hinds Feet on High Places? 

Yes, I have read Pilgrim's Progress! And I have yet to read Hinds Feet on High Places, though I've heard many wonderful things about it!

8. Share some of your most well-loved heroines from fantasy tales in literature (books, movies, modern and classics), and why you love them so much! What virtues/traits in them would you like to have yourself?

Though I haven't read Chronicles of Narnia recently, Lucy is always an inspiration in her steadfast faith in Aslan!
For the more tough heroine, I love Harry from The Blue Sword. She's so normal (or she thinks she is), but her training to be a warrior and hero is believable and her ability to take it all in stride is admirable!
Also, Imraldera from Tales of Goldstone Wood encourages me to love even my enemies!
Eowyn's courage in the Lord of the Rings (especially the movie) is awesome. Go girl!

9. Which land would you rather go, dwell in, or be a part of: Middle-Earth, or Narnia? (or maybe some other fantasy-land, you share!)

Middle-Earth. Take me to the elves!
 

10. What kind of fantasy are you most fond of? Fantastical and "fairy-tale-ish" like Alice in Wonderland, Beauty and the Beast or Cinderella, or rather the mythological, high-epic-fantasies such as Tolkien's?

The high epic fantasy of Tolkien really appeals to me, but it depends upon the author. I can also enjoy the more innocent, creative fairy tales, so long as they don't get too bizarre, because I like beautiful, not bizarre.

11. Which is your favourite fairy-tale?

Of the classics, probably Beauty and the Beast. However, when reading others, I really was intrigued by the potential of retellings in The Golden Branch and Prunella.

12. List some of your most well-loved movie adaptions of fantasy tales (this does not include Disney fairy-tale animations). 

The Lord of the Rings! I am so, so, so in love with those movies! And the Narnia movies are really well done too, even if they're departing a bit from the books. And I was super impressed with the re-visioning of the Sleeping Beauty tale in Maleficent.
 

13. Who are your favourite heroes from fantasy books? (you may list as many as you like!) Tell us a little bit about why you love them so much :).

Oh...heheh...I have too many to mention, heheheh, but here goes:

Eanrin (Tales of Goldstone Wood)--Bard, knight, faerie, cat, man...Eanrin is many things, and though he shields himself with a selfish exterior, he is one of the noblest heroes of all!
Eugenides (The Queen's Thief)--The most cunning and clever hero I've ever encountered, never failing to surprise the reader with his wit and nobility! Now, I admit, The Queen's Thief is more mythical than fantastical. But it works, right?
Etanun (Tales of Goldstone Wood)--Like the classic knights of lore, Etanun had stood as the figure of courage, strength, and goodness before his own sin shamed him...leaving him with a better understanding of grace and true love than many...
Zuko (Avatar: The Last Airbender)--Okay, so he's also in graphic novels (those count as books, right?) Watching his growth from a tormented young villain to a self-sacrificing leader of heroes...it's cool.
Finrod Felagund (The Simarillion)--He's not in many stories, but his courageous death in the tale of Beren and Luthian made me look everything else up about him and he's one of my favorite literary elves!
Corlath (The Blue Sword)--How exactly do I describe this guy? He's cool. Just cool. Really cool.
Nock (The Door Within Trilogy)--Personally, I enjoyed Nock better than Legolas in the literary world! He was kind of more like the Legolas of the movies (if this was a movie list, Legolas would be at the top).
Aragorn (The Lord of the Rings)--In the book and in the movie, he's a great hero!

14. Saddest moment in any fantasy tale you've either watched or read?

The Battle of Tears in The Simarillion! WHHHAAAAAAA! My Fingon was killed by balrogs, and I blame this battle on Maedhros's beginning collapse under his curse and eventual madness and suicide. Plus, like everything else that could have went wrong in that battle happened. Tolkien might be one of my favorites, but he sure knew how to rip out my heart. Grrrrrrr....

Watched? I got pretty teary-eyed in the climatic duel between Zuko and his sister in Avatar: The Last Airbender. I mean, it was an epic and awesome fight (one of the best), but it was really sad to see her mental breakdown. :(

15. How did you get into The Lord of the Rings and Middle-Earth books/movies? (If you're not into LOTR than you can talk about how you got into Narnia instead).

Well, it was a pretty big thing when it came out, but I was too young to watch it at first. After I learned the storyline from my big brother (Star Wars was good and Lord of the Rings was evil until my brother switched sides, so thus did I), my parents decided I could watch a heavily edited version of the movies, closing my eyes during all the violent and ugly parts. I had the cues on where to stop looking memorized better than my parents! Now, of course, I can watch the whole movie, but I've still chosen to not watch a few certain scenes. And after I became an avid lover of Middle-Earth, I had to read the books! 
 

16. Give a list (preferably with pictures!) of your favourite fantasy/medieval costumes/armor/gowns and from which movie/character they come from.

I'm kind of uncertain about the whole rules of which sites will allow you to share their pictures or not, so I'm going to not use pictures. But hopefully they should be pretty familiar!

Susan's farewell gown from Prince Caspian. It's sooooooo pretty. :)

Pretty much any kind of elven attire is great. 

And a few of my favorites come from my OWN stories...these two belong to bad guys, but still...I adore their armor. *sigh*

17. Which fantasy/fairy-tale has inspired and influenced you the most?

The Tales of Goldstone Wood. Reading this series has opened up my eyes in new ways for a epic worlds and characters to be revealed on the page. It begins like a beautiful picture, then unfolds into a tapestry and is still unfolding! It also has really taught me how to create real characters and reflect my beliefs in a fantasy setting.

18. Favourite character in Tolkien's Lord of the Rings/Hobbit universe? Favourite character in The Chronicles of Narnia? (Choose 1 each)

Does this count movies? If so, Legolas. If not, maybe Bilbo Baggins, because my brother's version when he was reading aloud is just too cute. The movie version of him is pretty delightful as well.
Aravis from The Horse and His Boy. She was just awesome, and I always thought she should be played by one of my cousins, though that cousin is too old now. :(

19. Favourite friendship in a fantasy book/movie/series?

Legolas and Gimli! They are so much fun! And if you didn't have enough of them, a similar and just as enjoyable friendship can be found in Nock and Mallik in the Door Within Trilogy.
 

20. Which villain of fantasy strikes the most dread and loathing in you? Which foe strikes the most pity?

Do Melkor and Sauron count as one? I probably loathe them the most when they kill some awesome elf I love (which covers about every elf). Curse them! Ungoliant was loathsome. Ooog.

As for pity...hmmmm...I guess I pity the Dragonwitch from Tales of Goldstone Wood the most. But at the same time, I don't, because she completely let herself collapse under the sorrow she went through and let her life being ruined by jealousy and bitterness. I was just so, so, so sad when she refused to let herself be redeemed.

I truly pity Murtagh from The Inheritance Cycle, even though I mostly read about what happened to him, not actually read it. Some will argue that he wasn't a villain, because he was literally forced and tortured by the extreme into becoming a bad guy...(Spoiler)...which he overcame by the end. But man...that guy had nothing going for him. He was just so hopeless....(another reason Christian Fantasy should be some of the best out there...it has hope.)

21. Share some of your most well-loved quotes from fantasy books/movies :). 

 "Thus does poet's work progress! Do please withhold all judgment until further notice!"-Bard Eanrin, Starflower

"That still counts as one!" Gimli to Legolas upon the elf's defeat of an entire oliphant and crew (The Return of the King movie)

"I love you."--Etanun, Dragonwitch (You'll have to read the book to understand why I burst into tears at this moment.)

"Eragon."
"Do you know any other word than my name?"
"No." --Eragon and Sapphira, Eragon

"What is that, an awl?"
"No, Your Majesty, no, as you can see, it is a very fine needle."
"It does feel like a needle--it feels like you're spent too much time working on people who don't pay you and you should--ow! Ow! Ow!" --Eugenides vs his physician, The King of Attolia. He's the whiniest hero I've ever encountered, and how we love him for it. :)

22. Favourite battle in a fantasy book or movie?

The Battle of the Pelanor Fields in the movie! Oh...Eowyn and the Witch-king...and best of all...Legolas and the oliphant. :D

Oh. But I just remembered the climatic battle in Avatar: The Last Airbender--Sozin's Comet. Hm. After three seasons it was something else to see brother and sister clash, and rarely, rarely have I seen the hero with such deadly control and power over the outcome as the Avatar chasing down Ozai. It was kind of awesome to see the villain on the terrified side of things. :D

23. Tell us which romance couple you love best in any of the fantasy stories you know about.

Eanrin and Imraldera. Though technically they haven't started an official romance, because of some big complications. So if we're going with an actual romance...Eugenides and Irene from The Queen's Thief. Wow, they are so unlikely and so wonderful together!!!!

24. Elves or dwarves? Gondor or Rohan? Aragorn or King Tirian?

 Elves. Hands down. Rohan. They're all about horses. Aragorn. I didn't even know who King Tirian was....oh wait, now I remember! He was awesome too...but Aragorn.

25. Who is your favourite side-kick (secondary character) in books/movies of this genre? (you are welcome to choose more than one ;). 

 In the movie Maleficent, Diaval simply charmed my socks off. He was so sweet and noble! And I suppose Legolas could be counted as a side-kick. If so, then definitely him! He saved so many members of the Fellowship (Gandalf, Aragorn, Bormier, Gimli)!

In books, I'm reminded of Flewfduer Flam from The Chronicles of Prydain. He had me laughing all throughout the series and crying in the last book!

26. List five fantasy novels you are especially looking forward and eager to read in the near future.

Golden Daughter by Anne Elisabeth Stengl
Storm Siren by Mary Weber

Wildwood Dancing by Juliet Marillier
East by Edith Pattou
Ebon by Robin McKinley (actually, who knows when this one is coming out!)
 

27. Which fantasy work struck you with the most sense and depth of faith and the author's perception of morality, ethics, the distinction and battle between good and evil, and the Christian walk? Can you share a little bit about it?

Once again, I would have to say the Tales of Goldstone Wood. With an understanding heart, the author reveals the desires, strengths, and weaknesses of the human heart (even if fay) and the ultimate failure to save ourselves. She shows how we are in need of a savior and undeserved grace and that it is not by our strength that we can become heroes. Though only the first book is a clear allegory (the love story of the us and Christ), the rest of the series creates characters as real as someone next to you and leads you on their journey to redemption through the love of the Prince of the Farthest Shore. It's really beautifully done.

28. What was the first fantasy novel you ever read and how did it strike you?

I don't know! I imagine it was the Chronicles of Narnia. They were the prevalent and pretty much only fantasy in my childhood, so they definitely started me on my love of the genre!

29. What would inspire you to pick up a work of fantasy literature or watch a fantasy film? 

What do you believe are both the benefits, negatives and overall effects of enjoying this genre?

A good cover is usually the first thing to catch my attention! I'm drawn to beautiful things, not strange, as aforesaid, and too dark of a cover can be intriguing, but I'll need some assurance of light. I rarely pick up any story or movie without first having it recommended from a trusted source and often researched by myself. 

As a character in fantasy says, "You'll rarely find more truth than in fairy tales." Authors of old and now new ones are bringing forth stories that parallel our own. Oh, we not have special powers or a quest to destroy an evil ring. We may not meet elves or ever have to fight goblins. But there is evil in this world and fantasy reminds us of the more supernatural things at stake when it is easy to get caught up in the material humdrums of life. There is a dark lord, there is a war, temptations ensnare us, and we fight battles of our own. Granted, some fantasy will teach improper truths, as is the case in most genres. People might become more caught up in the fantasy than the real world and might even become attracted to magic, which in this world will get them into darkness, not light. But for those who measure their fantasy by the truth of God, they will see heroes struggle, yet have victory, and they will be reminded that there is a happily ever after.