Foray into Science Fiction Fandom (14)
Today's foray explores urban fantasy. There's something fascinating about magic in the city simply because civilization is so complex there will always be a place for the unexpected, and the unnatural hopefulness of man imagines that maybe the unexpected could be for the better.
Charles deLint writes the most breathtaking images of the enchantment in city life. I admit that I haven't read all of his books, but I began with a collection of stories called Dreams Underfoot sometime in High School, and some of the images stayed with me, as well as several of the words. So I loved the book so much I asked my little sister to read it, and she loved it too, except that there were too many swearwords, so as a favor, so she wouldn't miss the wonder of the book, I whited out every swearword in her copy, and the most explicit sex scene as well. You can't search an entire book looking for swearwords without getting them into your head, so for several months after that I swore like a sailor. I still haven't completely shaken it off, but I do consider the book worth the mortification and guilt.
Jim Butcher wrote another series of books briefly made into a television show about a wizard living in Chicago with his vampire half-brother, and a ghost named Bob who lives in a skull. I loved both the books and the show, but as characters go, Harry Dresden spends incredible amounts of time getting beat up and making really bad deals that can get him ten times worse than damned. I guess that's the fun part. You get to love the underdog.
The other urban fantasy starred another wizard named Harry (although this series sort of bridges between urban fantasy and escapist fantasy). He needs no explanation or introduction, but he does need a serious proofread.
I cried at the end.
I totally knew Dumbledor was gay.
I really wanted to snog Snape.
I'd have hated Harry if he went to my school.
Charles deLint writes the most breathtaking images of the enchantment in city life. I admit that I haven't read all of his books, but I began with a collection of stories called Dreams Underfoot sometime in High School, and some of the images stayed with me, as well as several of the words. So I loved the book so much I asked my little sister to read it, and she loved it too, except that there were too many swearwords, so as a favor, so she wouldn't miss the wonder of the book, I whited out every swearword in her copy, and the most explicit sex scene as well. You can't search an entire book looking for swearwords without getting them into your head, so for several months after that I swore like a sailor. I still haven't completely shaken it off, but I do consider the book worth the mortification and guilt.
Jim Butcher wrote another series of books briefly made into a television show about a wizard living in Chicago with his vampire half-brother, and a ghost named Bob who lives in a skull. I loved both the books and the show, but as characters go, Harry Dresden spends incredible amounts of time getting beat up and making really bad deals that can get him ten times worse than damned. I guess that's the fun part. You get to love the underdog.
The other urban fantasy starred another wizard named Harry (although this series sort of bridges between urban fantasy and escapist fantasy). He needs no explanation or introduction, but he does need a serious proofread.
I cried at the end.
I totally knew Dumbledor was gay.
I really wanted to snog Snape.
I'd have hated Harry if he went to my school.
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