It has been known to me for a while that the fantasy/sci-fi genre are generally regarded with a level of derision. Hand a fantasy or sci-fi book to a well-read person and they'll generally laugh at you. It's as though these two generes -- but fantasy in particular -- are considered to not be real literature. In fact, here is an interview quote from Tracy Hickman, a well known and respected author in the fantasy genre:
Q: Honestly, do you believe that the fantasy genre will ever come to be recognized as veritable literature? Truth be told, in my opinion there has never been this many good books/series as we have right now, and yet there is still very little respect (not to say none) associated with the genre.
"I think that depends upon who one credits as granting such recognition. I’ve had numerous students over the years write to me, telling me that their assignment was to do a report on an author of literature but that their teacher told them that what I write isn’t ‘legitimate literature.’ I’m always curious as to what they mean by ‘legitimate literature’ and by what standard they are using to make that determination. From what I have seen thus far, I’m not certain that I crave the ‘respect’ of the academic community as I once might have done."
This... animosity towards the most flexible of the genres is somewhat appalling, and it is apparently for no reason. No doubt that some will say that fantasy and sci-fi have lots of bad drivel with sequels being endlessly pumped out and only a few series/books are actually good, but I wonder how that is any different from any other genre. Would anyone dare suggest that bad mystery books are a dime a dozen? What about harlequin romance -- you read four books, and you've pretty much read everything in the entire genre.
Every genre has lot's of mediocre stuff and a select number of truly excellent books -- that is how particular authors become famous, because they rise above the average. (Now keep in mind that the 'average' book is perfectly good for fine entertainment, but some authors are just distinctive and may appeal to a wider audience, thus their rise to fame. Average is not bad.) So saying that fantasy and sci-fi are treated poorly because of that is no excuse -- it's the truth for all genres, and these two are no different.
So my question is this: Why is the fantasy and sci-fi genre so discriminated against? Where does this animosity come from?
Q: Honestly, do you believe that the fantasy genre will ever come to be recognized as veritable literature? Truth be told, in my opinion there has never been this many good books/series as we have right now, and yet there is still very little respect (not to say none) associated with the genre.
"I think that depends upon who one credits as granting such recognition. I’ve had numerous students over the years write to me, telling me that their assignment was to do a report on an author of literature but that their teacher told them that what I write isn’t ‘legitimate literature.’ I’m always curious as to what they mean by ‘legitimate literature’ and by what standard they are using to make that determination. From what I have seen thus far, I’m not certain that I crave the ‘respect’ of the academic community as I once might have done."
This... animosity towards the most flexible of the genres is somewhat appalling, and it is apparently for no reason. No doubt that some will say that fantasy and sci-fi have lots of bad drivel with sequels being endlessly pumped out and only a few series/books are actually good, but I wonder how that is any different from any other genre. Would anyone dare suggest that bad mystery books are a dime a dozen? What about harlequin romance -- you read four books, and you've pretty much read everything in the entire genre.
Every genre has lot's of mediocre stuff and a select number of truly excellent books -- that is how particular authors become famous, because they rise above the average. (Now keep in mind that the 'average' book is perfectly good for fine entertainment, but some authors are just distinctive and may appeal to a wider audience, thus their rise to fame. Average is not bad.) So saying that fantasy and sci-fi are treated poorly because of that is no excuse -- it's the truth for all genres, and these two are no different.
So my question is this: Why is the fantasy and sci-fi genre so discriminated against? Where does this animosity come from?