Your idea of High Fantasy?

[Mean Eyed Cat]

For a good article on high- and low-fantasy (even with references to heroic and sword 'n' sorcery fantasy) read this:
Genre: Writing the Fantasy Adventure

 

[Hand of Evil]

If I say Star Wars will I be beat up?

High fantasy, like space opera is the grand adventure in a world not our own. It has magic and monsters, heros strong and brave. Everything is larger and bigger, you just don't have a castle, you have a towering flying castle. Your foe is not just the BBEG but BBEG with godlike powers and hordes of fearful underlings.

Really, it is just another label like pulp.

 

[Whisper72]

To me High Fantasy versus 'regular' fantasy is adding (to the mix of magic, castles and dragons) high risk, tragedy and world-shaking stuff.

Think of LotR... the risk of the quest itself. There is almost no hope, but against all odds, the fellowship sets out. During the trip the death of Boromir, combined with the story around it (Boromir being the favorite above Faramir), in the movie, the suicidal charge by Faramir, knowing it is hopeless, he goes anyway... those types of elements are what make fantasy 'High' IMO.

 

[WizarDru]

High Fantasy, for me, does come down to matters like LotR, but also the tales of King Arthur (esp. the Quest for the Holy Grail), Tigana, Earthsea, or anything else, whether in this world or another, where there is an epic quest and epic struggle. This could also move over to Gilgamesh and similar myths and mythcycles.

Low Fantasy, conversely, is more like Fafhrd & the Grey Mouser, Conan, and most small-unit combat books that I have read. There is no epic struggle over morality, only the gathering of goods, the daily survival, the small triumphs and tragedies.

Now I like some books that are High Fantasy and some which are Low; equally, there are bad examples on either side of the equation. In the end for me, however, the distinction between the styles is one of higher purpose versus personal accomplishment.

What he said. I think the idea of 'high' versus 'low' fantasy is something of an artificial distinction made by folks who generally want to feel better about their taste in fiction, but c'est la vie.

I like Tolkien. I like Glen Cook. Right now, I'm reading Robin Hobb. It's all good.

 

[Mystery Man]

Low Fantasy, conversely, is more like Fafhrd & the Grey Mouser, Conan, and most small-unit combat books that I have read. There is no epic struggle over morality, only the gathering of goods, the daily survival, the small triumphs and tragedies.

I would put both of those examples in the high fantasy category. Lieber would be more of a pulpy high fantasy and conan would be a gritty high fantasy.

LOW fantasy for me is the dumbed down brain dead fantasy books disguised as teen age romance novels. Or those writers who churn out book after book of recycled plot pretending to be an ongoing story series. I could cite a list but just really don't want to. I'm sure everyone has run into one or two of those.

 

[Mystery Man]

If I say Star Wars will I be beat up?

You'll get an amen brother is what you'll get.

Ever read Brian Daley? He's written some really good Star Wars novels featuring Han Solo. He also (his best work IMHO) wrote the Jinx on a Terran Inheritance series, which is sadly out of print. Some of the best space opera, pulpy, sci fi storytelling I've ever read. I still have the original prints and I'll never give them up.

 

[Sir Elton]

For a good article on high- and low-fantasy (even with references to heroic and sword 'n' sorcery fantasy) read this:
Genre: Writing the Fantasy Adventure

HEHE! How to Write Science Fiction and Fantasy

I have the above book by OSC. The author learned that the only difference between Science Fiction and Fantasy is that all fantasy is stories set with magic, forests, and low tech and Science Fiction is stories set in rivets, plastic, and steel.

 

[Sir Elton]

You'll get an amen brother is what you'll get.

Ever read Brian Daley? He's written some really good Star Wars novels featuring Han Solo. He also (his best work IMHO) wrote the Jinx on a Terran Inheritance series, which is sadly out of print. Some of the best space opera, pulpy, sci fi storytelling I've ever read. I still have the original prints and I'll never give them up.

Star Wars is fantasy.