Skip to main content
Chaptra
Cover of Historical Dictionary of Fantasy Literature

Historical Dictionary of Fantasy Literature

Written by Allen Stroud

Not rated yet — tap a star to review it

Chaptra reads alongside you — AI insights, chapter breakdowns and reader discussions for every book. Join free

About this book

Fantasy is both old and new. In the ancient past, stories of magic, where supernatural creatures existed, the gods walked the earth and heroes saved their civilizations from the dark fate that awaited them were intermingled with history, religion, and fact. It is only in the last few hundred years that a conscious suspension of disbelief has allowed us to return to fantasy: the literature of the impossible and appreciate it for its craft and storytelling once more. Historical Dictionary of Fantasy Literature, Second Edition contains a chronology, an introduction, an extensive bibliography, and cross-referenced entries on more than 800 authors, ranging across the entire historical spectrum. More than 200 other entries describe the fantasy sub genres, key images in fantasy literature, technical terms used in fantasy criticism, and the intimately convoluted relationship between literary fantasies, scholarly fantasies, and lifestyle fantasies. This book is an excellent resource for students, researchers, and anyone wanting to know more about fantasy literature.

Read it with a club

Small groups reading the same books and talking as they go.

All clubs
An open book and a notebook on a desk in front of a bookcase

News

  • 1 member
  • 1,813 discussions
  • Active 15h ago

Read Historical Dictionary of Fantasy Literature alongside people who are reading it too.

Open the club

Also here: News Bulletin, Just Joking....

Chaptra Prime — paid clubs, every club feature, and unlimited reading support, for $5 a month or $60 once.

See Prime

Reading guide

Themes, characters and key ideas in Historical Dictionary of Fantasy Literature, written by Chaptra AI.

  • about 8 hours
  • intermediate/advanced
  • Informative
  • Scholarly
  • Comprehensive

The Historical Dictionary of Fantasy Literature, Second Edition, by Allen Stroud, serves as an invaluable and comprehensive reference work charting the vast landscape of fantasy literature from its ancient origins to contemporary manifestations. It meticulously details the genre's evolution, from early myths intertwined with history and religion to the modern concept of conscious suspension of disbelief. The book features an extensive chronology, an insightful introduction, a rich bibliography, and over 1,000 cross-referenced entries covering more than 800 authors, various subgenres, critical terminology, and the intricate connections between literary, scholarly, and lifestyle fantasies. This scholarly resource is designed for students, researchers, and enthusiasts seeking a structured and detailed understanding of the impossible made real through storytelling.

“Fantasy is both old and new. In the ancient past, stories of magic... were intermingled with history, religion, and fact.”

Key themes

The Evolution of Fantasy
This dictionary meticulously traces fantasy's journey from ancient myths and oral traditions, where magic was intertwined with reality, to its modern form as a distinct literary genre requiring 'conscious suspension of disbelief.' It highlights how societal changes and literary conventions have shaped the genre over millennia.
Defining and Categorizing Fantasy
The book actively engages with the challenge of defining fantasy, not as a monolithic entity but as a diverse spectrum. It categorizes numerous subgenres, critical terms, and recurring tropes, providing a framework for understanding the genre's internal logic and boundaries.
The Interplay of Literary, Scholarly, and Lifestyle Fantasies
A unique aspect of this dictionary is its exploration of how fantasy extends beyond mere textual narratives into academic study and even daily life. It acknowledges the symbiotic relationship where fictional worlds inspire scholarly analysis and influence personal identities and communities.

Worth discussing

How does Stroud's dictionary redefine or expand your understanding of fantasy literature's historical scope?

Chapter-by-chapter breakdowns, character arcs and the full thematic analysis come with a free account.

Sign up freeLog in

Discussions

No one has started one yet

Join

Questions this book opens up

No discussions yet

Be the first to start a discussion about this book!

Sign up to start the discussion

Reviews

No reviews yet

Be the first to review this book!