Basic Categories of Fantastic Literature Revisited

A unique collection of essays on selected aspects of science-fiction, fantasy and broadly understood fantastic literature, unified by a highly theoretical focus, this volume offers an overview of the most important theories pertaining to the field of the fantastic, such as Tzvetan Todorov’s definition of the term itself, J.R.R. Tolkien’s essay “On Fairy Stories,” and the concept of “Gothic space”. The composition and order of the chapters provide the reader with a systematic overview of major theoretical perspectives and serve as an accessible introduction to the topic of fantastic literature.

The book combines reflection on various genres such as fantasy, science fiction, horror, Gothic writing, and even drama, offering a comprehensive overview of the fantastic across genealogical lines. The authors whose works are addressed by the volume’s twelve chapters include some of the most popular household names in fantastic literature, such as H.P. Lovecraft, George R.R. Martin, Clive Barker and Neil Gaiman. In addition, the volume also includes readings of contemporary fantastic literature against the backdrop of world literature classics, such as Homeric poetry, Edmund Spenser and the drama of the English Renaissance.