Fantasy and Science Fiction... why are they grouped together?
@allyoftherain (7208)
United States
December 15, 2009 3:00pm CST
I know it probably won't bother people who aren't avid readers of the genres, but it's always bothered me that they're always grouped together. In bookstores, they're in the same section under Science Fiction/Fantasy or something. My library actually has no Fantasy section, and all the Fantasy books are put under the Science Fiction section. It bothers because not only are they VERY different, they are actually arch enemies sometimes. Think about it. Science Fiction is based in what could be possible, and Fantasy is based is what isn't possible. Science Fiction is about technology, and Fantasy is about magic, myth, and legend.
I know there are a few authors like Anne McCaffery and Terry Brooks who actually bring them together, but for the most part they stay separate. So why are they always grouped together?
3 responses
@grandpa_lash (5225)
• Australia
15 Dec 09
Because marketing managers can't read anything but bottom lines?
Lash
@chatelaine09 (433)
• Australia
15 Dec 09
Well I guess it's because Science Fiction IS a kind of fantasy since it hasn't happened yet.Readers of this genre get adsorbed into this make believe not yet happened world, so it a way they are reading about the authors fantasy of what may happen to the world in the future!
@allyoftherain (7208)
• United States
16 Dec 09
You know, I really hadn't thought of it that way. That's cool.
@Apple3Cranberry (678)
• United States
15 Dec 09
Hmm. I never thought of this. I guess they put them together because they are sort of similar. This is an interesting bit of information.
@allyoftherain (7208)
• United States
16 Dec 09
Well, they're both speculative fiction, I'll give them that. Thanks for your comment. Happy Myloting!
