posted 30th November 2023
1. The Hobbit
The undoubted king of fantasy writers is J.R.R. Tolkien. He wrote the Hobbit for his children, and it was subsequently published in 1937. J.R.R. Tolkien was also an accomplished academic, and the influence of ancient mythology in his work is quite evident. The Hobbit is the prequel to the Lord of the Rings series, all of which come recommended. Bilbo Baggins, a hobbit, lives a charmed and domesticated existence until he receives a surprise visit. Gandalf the wizard and an increasing entourage of dwarves soon alter Bilbo's circumstances for something more adventurous. Treasure is on their mind, and the ultimate quest involves good against evil. The film adaptations also come highly recommended.
2. Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
Many might ask why the first Harry Potter book is missing from the top of the list. However, we decided that it came a close second to the Hobbit. JK Rowling's ingenious Harry Potter books take an unassuming orphaned boy from a modest house into the magical world of Hogwarts school and adventurous quests. Many good friends are made along the way, but Harry must also learn that not everyone who is a trained wizard uses magic for good. We would also recommend the film adaptations.
3. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe was first published in 1950 and written by C.S. Lewis. From World War Two evacuation to an English country house from the city, follow four children as they embark on an adventure into the mystical land of Narnia. The evil white witch dominates the land. Will the children be able to aid the great lion, Aslan, in his noble cause to end her evil hegemony? The book is part of the seven-book series, The Chronicles of Narnia. Each book is a delight to read.
4. Alice's Adventures in Wonderland
This famous fantasy book by Lewis Carroll has rightly stood the test of time and is still a global hit despite having been first published in 1865. Little girl Alice falls asleep, and as she dreams, she finds herself enticed by a white rabbit and goes down a rabbit hole with him. She enters a fantastic world of talking creatures such as the Mad Hatter, the Cheshire Cat and the Mock Turtle. Will Alice win favour with the Queen of this weird and wonderful world, or will it all turn sour?
5. The Golden Compass (otherwise titled Northern Lights)
This highly complex novel by Philip Pullman is the first part of His Dark Materials trilogy. The principal character is the young Lyra Belscqua, who, like all humans and witches, has an accompanying daemon that represents the soul or spirit of the person. Lyra's daemon is called Pantalaimon or Pan. Lyra and Pan enter the dark intrigues of a world dominated by the Magisterium or "Church", which hunts down perceived heretics, several of whom are close to Lyra.
6. Watership Down
This novel by Richard Adams is a childhood favourite. Set in the English countryside, it follows a community of rabbits who embark on a departure from their old warren, which is becoming increasingly threatened by the encroachment of humanity. Sensing impending danger, the heroic group of rabbits break away from their old community to start anew on fresh pastures. However, this takes several attempts and is not without many challenges.
7. The Dark is Rising
Another childhood favourite, Susan Cooper's novel, represents a combination of ancient Celtic mystery in the British Isles and the modern age. The novel was first published in 1973 and follows William Stanton, a young boy who turns eleven on a midwinter day and yearns for snow to fall. His wish comes true, but the landscape changes dramatically, throwing him way back in time as an "Old one" who has to fight the forces of darkness and evil. The novel comes highly recommended and is the second in a series of four. However, this book can be read as a stand-alone and is riveting, especially during the colder winter months.
8. Good Omens
This genius collaboration of two fantasy greats, Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman, first published in 1990, has the tongue-in-cheek full title, The Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch. The novel revolves around an impending apocalypse that the antichrist will instigate. The antichrist is unassumingly called Adam Young, and due to a bit of confusion in the hospital, he grows up in a modest setting, which is an English village in rural Oxfordshire. Knowing that the apocalypse is potentially nigh, an angel called Aziraphale and a demon called Crowley form an unlikely alliance to find and influence the antichrist so that he does not bring on the apocalypse. Will they succeed in this quest before substantial mix-ups, obstacles, and damage have occurred?
For those who passionately love the fantasy genre, we suggest you read Terry Pratchett's or Neil Gaiman's other works. You will not be disappointed.
9. Outlander
You might have heard of the TV series, but have you read the books? Who could not fall in love with the idea of historical time travel? This is not least because American Diana Gabaldon's Outlander includes the stunning wild landscape of Scotland in the 1700s. Outlander is the second of the Outlander series after the novella Virgins. The series centres on the heroine Claire Randall, initially set in World War Two. While on honeymoon, Claire finds herself inexplicably caught up in the ruddy intrigues and warfare of the Fraser clan in eighteenth-century Scotland. The TV adaptation also comes highly recommended.
10. A Game of Thrones
George R.R. Martin's A Game of Thrones, first published in 1996, is the first of the series titled A Song of Ice and Fire. The series reached an even wider audience through its recent HBO television adaptation, which is also highly recommended. The novel follows the noble families of the Wall, Westeros and Targaryens. The story begins with a character called Will, a man of the Night's Watch. It then delves into the points of view of various characters, ranging from Tyrion Lannister, a dwarf, to Sansa Stark. What is interesting about the novel and series is that there is no strict delineation between good and evil. Each character has redeeming features but also evident flaws. The result is an expertly interwoven plot.