Mythic fiction
Encyclopedia
Mythic fiction is literature that is rooted in, inspired by, or that in some way draws from the trope
s, themes
and symbol
ism of myth, folklore
, and fairy tale
s. The term is widely credited to Charles de Lint
and Terri Windling
. Mythic fiction overlaps with urban fantasy
and the terms are sometimes used interchangeably, but mythic fiction also includes contemporary works in non-urban settings. Mythic fiction refers to works of contemporary literature that often cross the divide
between literary
and fantasy fiction.
Windling promoted mythic fiction as the co-editor (with Ellen Datlow
) of The Year's Best Fantasy and Horror annual volumes for sixteen years, and as the editor of the Endicott Studio
Journal of Mythic Arts.
Though mythic fiction can be loosely based in mythology, it frequently uses familiar mythological personages archetypes (such as trickster
s, or the thunderer). This is in contrast to other forms of fantasy, such as the works of J. R. R. Tolkien
, which invent their own legends and folklore, volunteer entirely new pantheons, or attempt to disguise actual mythology with made-up names.
Genre Fantasy, based on the use of mythologies of the peoples of the world [9]. On the basis of mythological distinction: Fantasy on the western mythology [10], a fantasy on the German-Scandinavian mythology (Elizabeth Dvoretskaya ship in the fjord), Fantasy on Celtic mythology (the works about the Holy Grail), a fantasy on Slavic mythology [11] Fantasy on Russian mythology [12], a fantasy on the eastern mythology [13] Fantasy on Japanese mythology [14], in African mythology fantasy ("In the thinking kingdoms" Alan Foster "On Stranger Tides" by Tim Powers, "Children of Anansi," Neil Gaiman), fantasy in Indian mythology (Andre Norton), a fantasy on the mythology of Australian aborigines (Patricia Wrightson) [15], a fantasy on the mythology of Oceania (Michael Scott Rohan), Fantasy on Eskimo mythology (by Larry Niven, Steven Barnes Barsoom Project), a fantasy for a few mythologies (" American Gods "Neil Gaiman), fantasy author on mythology (a series of Middle Earth JRR Tolkien, John, Katherine Kurtz Chronicles Derin, Ursula Le Guin Earthsea, Dune, Frank Herbert), a fantasy on the technological mythology (" We live here, "Cycle of the Abyss hungry Eye, Henry Lion Oldie) and other
Trope (literature)
A literary trope is the usage of figurative language in literature, or a figure of speech in which words are used in a sense different from their literal meaning...
s, themes
Theme (literature)
A theme is a broad, message, or moral of a story. The message may be about life, society, or human nature. Themes often explore timeless and universal ideas and are almost always implied rather than stated explicitly. Along with plot, character,...
and symbol
Symbol
A symbol is something which represents an idea, a physical entity or a process but is distinct from it. The purpose of a symbol is to communicate meaning. For example, a red octagon may be a symbol for "STOP". On a map, a picture of a tent might represent a campsite. Numerals are symbols for...
ism of myth, folklore
Folklore
Folklore consists of legends, music, oral history, proverbs, jokes, popular beliefs, fairy tales and customs that are the traditions of a culture, subculture, or group. It is also the set of practices through which those expressive genres are shared. The study of folklore is sometimes called...
, and fairy tale
Fairy tale
A fairy tale is a type of short story that typically features such folkloric characters, such as fairies, goblins, elves, trolls, dwarves, giants or gnomes, and usually magic or enchantments. However, only a small number of the stories refer to fairies...
s. The term is widely credited to Charles de Lint
Charles de Lint
Charles de Lint is a Canadian fantasy author and folk musician. He is also the chief book critic for The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction....
and Terri Windling
Terri Windling
Terri Windling is an American editor, artist, essayist, and the author of books for both children and adults. Windling has won nine World Fantasy Awards, the Mythopoeic Award, the Bram Stoker Award, and her collection The Armless Maiden appeared on the short-list for the James Tiptree, Jr. Award...
. Mythic fiction overlaps with urban fantasy
Urban fantasy
Urban fantasy is a sub-genre of fantasy defined by place; the fantastic narrative has an urban setting. Many urban fantasies are set in contemporary times and contain supernatural elements. However, the stories can take place in historical, modern, or futuristic periods...
and the terms are sometimes used interchangeably, but mythic fiction also includes contemporary works in non-urban settings. Mythic fiction refers to works of contemporary literature that often cross the divide
Cross-genre
A cross-genre is a genre in fiction that blends themes and elements from two or more different genres.-Examples:*Action comedy *Comedy-drama or dramedy *Comedy-horror...
between literary
Literary fiction
Literary fiction is a term that came into common usage during the early 1960s. The term is principally used to distinguish "serious fiction" which is a work that claims to hold literary merit, in comparison from genre fiction and popular fiction . In broad terms, literary fiction focuses more upon...
and fantasy fiction.
Windling promoted mythic fiction as the co-editor (with Ellen Datlow
Ellen Datlow
Ellen Datlow is an American science fiction, fantasy, and horror editor and anthologist.-Biography:Datlow was the fiction editor of Omni magazine and Omni Online from 1981 through 1998, and edited the ten associated Omni anthologies...
) of The Year's Best Fantasy and Horror annual volumes for sixteen years, and as the editor of the Endicott Studio
Endicott Studio
Endicott Studio is a nonprofit organization, based in the United States and United Kingdom, that is dedicated to literary, visual, and performance arts inspired by myth, folklore, fairy tales, and the oral storytelling tradition. It was founded in 1987 by Terri Windling, and is co-directed by...
Journal of Mythic Arts.
Though mythic fiction can be loosely based in mythology, it frequently uses familiar mythological personages archetypes (such as trickster
Trickster
In mythology, and in the study of folklore and religion, a trickster is a god, goddess, spirit, man, woman, or anthropomorphic animal who plays tricks or otherwise disobeys normal rules and conventional behavior. It is suggested by Hansen that the term "Trickster" was probably first used in this...
s, or the thunderer). This is in contrast to other forms of fantasy, such as the works of J. R. R. Tolkien
J. R. R. Tolkien
John Ronald Reuel Tolkien, CBE was an English writer, poet, philologist, and university professor, best known as the author of the classic high fantasy works The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings, and The Silmarillion.Tolkien was Rawlinson and Bosworth Professor of Anglo-Saxon at Pembroke College,...
, which invent their own legends and folklore, volunteer entirely new pantheons, or attempt to disguise actual mythology with made-up names.
Genre Fantasy, based on the use of mythologies of the peoples of the world [9]. On the basis of mythological distinction: Fantasy on the western mythology [10], a fantasy on the German-Scandinavian mythology (Elizabeth Dvoretskaya ship in the fjord), Fantasy on Celtic mythology (the works about the Holy Grail), a fantasy on Slavic mythology [11] Fantasy on Russian mythology [12], a fantasy on the eastern mythology [13] Fantasy on Japanese mythology [14], in African mythology fantasy ("In the thinking kingdoms" Alan Foster "On Stranger Tides" by Tim Powers, "Children of Anansi," Neil Gaiman), fantasy in Indian mythology (Andre Norton), a fantasy on the mythology of Australian aborigines (Patricia Wrightson) [15], a fantasy on the mythology of Oceania (Michael Scott Rohan), Fantasy on Eskimo mythology (by Larry Niven, Steven Barnes Barsoom Project), a fantasy for a few mythologies (" American Gods "Neil Gaiman), fantasy author on mythology (a series of Middle Earth JRR Tolkien, John, Katherine Kurtz Chronicles Derin, Ursula Le Guin Earthsea, Dune, Frank Herbert), a fantasy on the technological mythology (" We live here, "Cycle of the Abyss hungry Eye, Henry Lion Oldie) and other
See also
- Fairytale fantasyFairytale fantasyFairytale fantasy is distinguished from other subgenres of fantasy by the works' heavy use of motifs, and often plots, from folklore.-History:...
- Slipstream (genre)
- Superhero fictionSuperhero fictionSuperhero fiction is a form originating in and most common to American comic books, though it has expanded into other media through adaptations and original works....
- List of genres