Friday, March 25, 2016

Fantasy vs Science Fiction

Having read both fantasy and science fiction from a young age, I've always assumed that those who are drawn to this type of story would generally like both. I mean, what's not to like? So it has been a bit of a shock for me to see that there is very little crossover between those who read and like one of my books in one genre versus the other. In other words, very few readers read both my fantasy and my science fiction, even if they really loved what I wrote.
Zoya from The Immortality Game. Art by Stephan Martiniere.
Is it really so unusual to like both fantasy and science fiction? What would make a person read a book in one of these genres, and if you like it not want to read books by the same author just because they are in the other genre? I loved the fantasy novels of Ursula Le Guin, so naturally I tried out her sci-fi novels. I do admit that so far I haven't loved them as much as the fantasy books, but I still tried them. Same thing with Richard K Morgan. I loved his sci-fi novels, so I tried out his fantasy books. They were pretty decent.

How about you? Do you like just one of these two genres and not the other and if so, why?
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3 comments:

  1. Alex J. CavanaughMarch 25, 2016 at 2:16 PM

    I've always read and enjoyed both. Like you, I figured everyone did.

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  2. D.G. HudsonMarch 25, 2016 at 6:33 PM

    I've read fantasy (a lot of it)prior to reading scifi, and since I prefer science to magic, I very seldom will read fantasy as much. I prefer hard science fiction set in distant futures. Perhaps 'soft' science fiction readers like fantasy reads as well. Soft is supposed to imply that the author doesn't explain or use technology - that's in the background. You just believe, as one is expected to do when reading fantasy. . .

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    Replies
    1. Ted CrossMarch 25, 2016 at 9:22 PM

      I find that I enjoy both hard and soft sci-fi. With fantasy I prefer high or epic or sword and sorcery.

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