The Book Bump

Fantasy is a genre that encompasses many different features but usually always contains elements of magic, supernatural creatures, and imaginary worlds. Unlike other genres of fiction, which portray events that could happen in the real world, fantasy novels embrace elements of the impossible or the improbable.

Fantasy novels didn’t play a significant role in my literary exploration. However, they offered a much-needed break from reality, taking me to enchanting worlds where brave knights battled dragons and ordinary people embarked on epic adventures.

Series such as Narnia, Twilight, and Harry Potter, to name but a few, held little interest for me. I was more and still am more interested in the subgenre High Fantasy. One of the most iconic high fantasy works is The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien. And I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t my favourite. Other epic fantasy series I’ve started reading include George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire and Tad Williams’s The Last King of Osten Ard. I might be a little mean when I say this, but they cannot hold a candle to Tolkien’s work despite their valour. Of course, that is but my humble opinion.

One other fantasy world gripped me from the get-go: Cornelia Funke’s Inkworld. In contrast to Tolkien’s Middle Earth, an entirely made-up realm, Funke combined fantasy elements with the real world, effectively blurring the lines between fiction and reality. J.R. Rowling and Stephanie Meyer do the same in their respective fantasy series, but I wasn’t interested in young wizards, werewolves, or vampires. But something about the idea of bringing characters to life had me hooked from the get-go.

The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R Tolkien

The trilogy follows Tolkien’s earlier work, The Hobbit, where a company of thirteen dwarves unexpectedly recruits an ordinary hobbit to set out on a quest to recover their homeland, The Lonely Mountain. During his quest, Bilbo, the hobbit, encounters an unlikely creature called Gollum and finds his magic ring.

The Lord of the Rings trilogy occurs several decades later, where Bilbo’s nephew Frodo takes centre stage. Having inherited Bilbo’s ring, which turns out to be the One Ring, Frodo Baggins must embark on a perilous quest to the Heart of Mount Doom, where Sauron’s ring and power can be undone.

However, he isn’t alone on his journey to Mordor. He is accompanied by his gardener and faithful friend, Samwise Gamgee, and his kin, Meriadoc Brandybuck and Peregrin Took. He is also joined by a representative from every race of Middle Earth, Aragon, a human king living in exile and Boromir, a captain and son of the Steward of Gondor; Legolas, an Elven Prince and Gimli, son of Gloin, one of the thirteen dwarves who set out to reclaim the Lonely Mountain. Their journey to Mount Doom is plagued with challenges, and the fellowship ultimately separates, but they never forget their reason for forging ahead.

This epic trilogy explores many themes, including Good vs Evil, friendship, heroism and sacrifice, redemption, forgiveness, and the power of hope.

The trilogy’s story is based on the timeless tale of good versus evil. Frodo, a hobbit representing all that is good and uncorrupted, must embark on a dangerous journey to destroy the One Ring, symbolising evil’s ultimate power.

Moving on to our next topic of heroism and sacrifice, we see Frodo, who never wished for any of it, accepting his destiny and prioritising the greater good over his desires. Along with him, other characters like Sam and Aragorn display remarkable courage and selflessness in the face of insurmountable challenges.

It’s heartwarming to see how friendship plays a crucial role in the novels. The characters seem to draw immense strength from knowing their friends are always with them, even if they are not physically present. These touching moments where the bond between them is showcased truly add depth and meaning to the story. It’s a beautiful reminder of the importance of having close friends.

Redemption and forgiveness also play a significant role in the novel. After being corrupted by the ring’s power, Boromir can redeem himself by sacrificing himself to save Merry and Pippin. Unfortunately, he fails his task, but Aragorn forgives him in his dying moments. Gollum has a redemption arc, and readers can almost feel he has returned to the light. Like the reader, Frodo believes that it is possible to recover from the corruption. He is the only character that treats Gollum with some humanity.

Throughout the trilogy, hope is a recurring theme. Despite facing seemingly insurmountable obstacles, the fellowship believes they can succeed. Their unwavering determination and faith in the ultimate triumph of Good propel them forward, demonstrating their resilience and unyielding spirits.

These themes resonated with me when I was younger and still resonate with me today. I am, and always have been, a firm believer that Good will prevail, that one should never give up hope and that in the face of adversity, we should stand up for what is right. I strive to live my life by these principles. Friendships are vital, and although we may not see each other often, I know I can rely on my friends, and they can count on me. I have faith in forgiveness and people’s ability for personal growth.

The Inkheart Trilogy by Cornelia Funke

The story follows the life of a young girl named Meggie. Her father, Mo, has a unique ability. He is known as a Silvertongue, meaning he can bring elements of books to life in the real world just by reading aloud. The only problem is that when something from a fictional world comes through to the real world, an element of the real world gets trapped in the fictional one. Together, Mo and Meggie must face many evils who wish to take advantage of Mo’s incredible gift for their evil doings.

One major takeaway from this trilogy was that words hold immense power. Being able to bring a character to life by reading spotlights the impact stories and words can have on our daily lives and how they shape our reality and affect our decision-making process.

The trilogy delves into the age-old conflict of Good versus Evil, a common literary theme. The characters are confronted with numerous physical and moral challenges and are forced to face the repercussions of their choices. The story also examines the corrupting influence of power, as several characters seek to exploit Mo’s gift to enhance their power. Like many works in the Good versus Evil genre, the themes of sacrifice, redemption, and personal development are also examined.

Throughout this trilogy, the themes of family and identity are explored in great depth. Mo and Meggie encounter numerous challenges that test their loyalty to each other. Meanwhile, Meggie is also on a journey of self-discovery as she grows into a young woman.

Despite not reading many novels in this genre, Fantasy (notably, these two worlds) still holds a special place in my heart.