i think it comes more down to quality than genre. - Edit 1
Before modification by LadyLorraine at 02/12/2009 04:58:44 PM
Yes, it's insanely easier to sell a crappy science fiction novel. Disturbingly so.
But that does not mean there's anything wrong with the genre itself.
I have found just as much meaning from speculative fiction as "classical" fiction.
There is classical fiction I have read that has been nothing more than boring and irrelevant (Brontes, you amuse me, but I'm looking at you).
In some ways, the detachment from reality inspires the reader to consider the themes and reality more in depth. When I was reading Kushiel's Legacy (which speculates a Europe without Christianity, as an abbreviated setting summary), it inspired me to do a lot of thinking about the chain of effect of Christianity in Europe, what caused the spread of Christianity and other such historical musings. But I really doubt there's many people out there who would put Kushiel's Legacy on par with Lord of the Rings or 1984.
I have a very dear friend of mine who's a very conservative Christian in many respects...It was amazing how her views of homosexuality became far more accepting when presented to her through the "non-real" setting of Valdemar through the character Vanyel. Just because a book is separate from reality, does not mean it cannot affect the reader just as much, if not more.
How are the themes of The Illiad more "meaningful" because they're sold under a classical label? The "genre" is just a label, it doesn't matter what it is. Quality is quality. Nemo does not become a less interesting character study because he lives in a submarine. Iago does not become less of a villain because he's in a play and not The Great Gatsby. yes i know that's not an example of speculative fiction, but it makes my point. The "frivolity" of the genre does not relate to the depth of subject material.
So yes...in regards to the point that reading only speculative fiction is a detriment, I completely agree with you. But just because idiots keep throwing rotten apples in their cider doesn't mean the recipe is bad. It just means you drink from another chef's punchbowl.
PS. Do they even serve cider from a punchbowl?
But that does not mean there's anything wrong with the genre itself.
I have found just as much meaning from speculative fiction as "classical" fiction.
There is classical fiction I have read that has been nothing more than boring and irrelevant (Brontes, you amuse me, but I'm looking at you).
In some ways, the detachment from reality inspires the reader to consider the themes and reality more in depth. When I was reading Kushiel's Legacy (which speculates a Europe without Christianity, as an abbreviated setting summary), it inspired me to do a lot of thinking about the chain of effect of Christianity in Europe, what caused the spread of Christianity and other such historical musings. But I really doubt there's many people out there who would put Kushiel's Legacy on par with Lord of the Rings or 1984.
I have a very dear friend of mine who's a very conservative Christian in many respects...It was amazing how her views of homosexuality became far more accepting when presented to her through the "non-real" setting of Valdemar through the character Vanyel. Just because a book is separate from reality, does not mean it cannot affect the reader just as much, if not more.
How are the themes of The Illiad more "meaningful" because they're sold under a classical label? The "genre" is just a label, it doesn't matter what it is. Quality is quality. Nemo does not become a less interesting character study because he lives in a submarine. Iago does not become less of a villain because he's in a play and not The Great Gatsby. yes i know that's not an example of speculative fiction, but it makes my point. The "frivolity" of the genre does not relate to the depth of subject material.
So yes...in regards to the point that reading only speculative fiction is a detriment, I completely agree with you. But just because idiots keep throwing rotten apples in their cider doesn't mean the recipe is bad. It just means you drink from another chef's punchbowl.
PS. Do they even serve cider from a punchbowl?