Your fantasy classics of the last 25 years

[ragboy]

I read his first book when it came out and it was terrific. However that wasn't due to any efforts on his part. The Sword of Shannara was as close as you can come to a plagurisim of LotR without getting sued for it. It has essentially all the same characters and pretty much all the same events. The text is just written for a mass market audience and condensed to a single large volume. My friends and I really got a lot of laughs out of the cover blurbs comparing it to LotR and how it was the next great thing after LotR, because it was such a thinly veiled rippoff.

I had the same reaction to it when I tried to read the first book. I never actually finished though. I had heard that Brooks was somehow related to Tolkien, which allowed him to get away with what he did. My googlefu produces no such connection...

Anyway:

Belgariad
Riftwar
Wheel of Time (though I, like many, can't get past the last few books

I don't read much fantasy any more; no others (more modern ones) come to mind. After all the hype, I have to pick up the Al-Rassan thing and Ice and Fire.

And I agree wholeheartedly that Goodkind should never grace that list. I read the entirity of his first book because I had a boring job and could read for 12 hours a day, but Haysuess Christo that was a terrible book.

 

[Steel_Wind]

The Harry Potter Books . Of all of those listed, the only sure bet on becoming true classics. They will be reading these long after we are all dead, beyond any doubt.

The other candidates:

• The First and Second Chronicles of Thomas Covenant the Unbeliever - SR Donaldson (no apologies made for this. Donaldson was not intended for a teenaged audience)
  
• The Belgariad by David Eddings (A Good series.
  Shame he kept writing it over and over again.)
  
• Black Company Series - it gets worse and worse as it goes on though. The first three are brilliant.
  
• Song of Ice and Fire No brainer. Probably the next most likely candidate to become a true classic of fantasy literature.
  

Delberate Omissions:

- DragonLance Chronicles - Even I know these are undeserving, and I'm a fan.
- Wheel of Time: Reminded the industry that what it learned with the Mallorean was actually true; yes, you can have too much of a good thing.

 

[Starman]

I think if Jordan can finish his series strongly with the last two books, then his series has a good chance of being remembered fondly for a long time. Otherwise, it could be relegated to the dust heaps.

 

[Turhan]

Slightly Off Topic:

A great read is Peter Beagle's "The Innkeeper's Song."

First rate fantasy, but so little known, I think, that it can't rise to the status of Classic.

Try it you'll like it.

Also, Try "Baudolino" by Umberto Ecco. A bit different, but tasty.

 

[Brakkart]

The two trilogies that I'd say are worthy of being called classics (or will in time become classics) are:

The Farseer Trilogy by Robin Hobb. Her main character (Fitz) is a superb hero, very easy to emphasise with him and yet be appalled at the life this boy and then young man is taught. Very poignant ending to the series also.

The Book of Words Trilogy by J.V. Jones. Very well written fantasy in a low magic setting with a truly evil pair of villains and a boy finding out that he is quite likely the most powerful wielder of magic ever born. And all of it wrapped up in ancient prophecy, intrigue and brutal warfare.