A Short History of Fantasy

Overview

A history of the fantasy form, this work traces the genre from the earliest years with The Epic of Gilgamesh and The Odyssey through to the origins of modern fantasy in the 20th century with such acclaimed writers as Terry Pratchett and J. K. Rowling. An exploration of the great variety of fiction published under the heading “fantasy,” this engaging study seeks to explain its continuing and ever growing popularity.

Reviews

“This is a book I want to put under my pillow, to absorb its wisdom while I sleep.” —Alison Habens, London Magazine

Author Biography

Farah Mendlesohn teaches at Middlesex University, London. She is the fomer editor of Foundation: The International Review of Science Fiction and the program director for the World Science Fiction Convention in Montreal in 2009.