In the first of an occasional series, I interview the Bing AI about high fantasy.  The AI’s responses have not been edited.

What is high fantasy?

High fantasy, also known as epic fantasy, is a subgenre of fantasy defined by the epic nature of its setting or by the epic stature of its characters, themes, or plot. High fantasy is set in an alternative, fictional (“secondary”) world, rather than the “real” or “primary” world. This secondary world is usually internally consistent, but its rules differ from those of the primary world. By contrast, low fantasy is characterized by being set on Earth, the primary or real world, or a rational and familiar fictional world with the inclusion of magical elements.

High fantasy stories often feature world-threatening forces, fantastic creatures, historic or unusual technologies, magical elements, and other unearthly elements. The story might also include characters from royalty and be seen through the viewpoint of one hero, an underdog.

Some examples of high fantasy literature include J. R. R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings, Ursula K. Le Guin’s Earthsea, and George R. R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire.

How does high fantasy differ from sword and sorcery?

High fantasy and sword and sorcery are two subgenres of fantasy that differ in their scope, themes, and characters. While high fantasy is characterized by the epic nature of its setting or by the epic stature of its characters, themes, or plot, sword and sorcery is darker and more jagged, with a smaller scale of struggles depicted and the main character usually pursuing personal gain, such as wealth or love.

High fantasy stories are set in an alternative, fictional (“secondary”) world, rather than the “real” or “primary” world, and often feature world-threatening forces, fantastic creatures, historic or unusual technologies, magical elements, and other unearthly elements. The story might also include characters from royalty and be seen through the viewpoint of one hero, an underdog.

Sword and sorcery tales, on the other hand, are often more personal and less epic than high fantasy stories. They might include elements of horror, mystery, or romance, and the story might be seen through the viewpoint of multiple characters. The heroes of sword and sorcery often aren’t morally upright and are self-serving.

For example, The Lord of the Rings by J. R. R. Tolkien is an example of high fantasy, while Conan the Barbarian by Robert E. Howard is an example of sword and sorcery.

Who created the high fantasy genre?

The term “high fantasy” was coined by Lloyd Alexander in a 1971 essay, “High Fantasy and Heroic Romance,” which was originally given at the New England Round Table of Children’s Librarians in October 1969. However, the works of J. R. R. Tolkien, especially The Lord of the Rings, are regarded as archetypal works of high fantasy. The romances of William Morris, such as The Well at the World’s End, set in an imaginary medieval world, are sometimes regarded as the first examples of high fantasy1 .

In summary, high fantasy is a subgenre of fantasy defined by the epic nature of its setting or by the epic stature of its characters, themes, or plot. It is set in an alternative, fictional (“secondary”) world, rather than the “real” or “primary” world, and often features world-threatening forces, fantastic creatures, historic or unusual technologies, magical elements, and other unearthly elements. The story might also include characters from royalty and be seen through the viewpoint of one hero, an underdog.

What are the historical precedents for high fantasy?

High fantasy, also known as epic fantasy, is a subgenre of fantasy that is defined by the epic nature of its setting or by the epic stature of its characters, themes, or plot. The term “high fantasy” was coined by Lloyd Alexander in a 1971 essay, “High Fantasy and Heroic Romance”, which was originally given at the New England Round Table of Children’s Librarians in October 1969. However, the works of J. R. R. Tolkien, especially The Lord of the Rings, are regarded as archetypal works of high fantasy. The romances of William Morris, such as The Well at the World’s End, set in an imaginary medieval world, are sometimes regarded as the first examples of high fantasy.

High fantasy has its roots in the medieval romance, which was a popular literary genre in the Middle Ages. Medieval romances often featured knights, chivalry, quests, and magic, and they were set in imaginary worlds that were similar to but distinct from the real world. High fantasy builds on this tradition, creating elaborate secondary worlds that are internally consistent and have their own rules and physical laws.

Other authors who have contributed to the development of high fantasy include Ursula K. Le Guin, Michael Moorcock, Terry Brooks, and George R. R. Martin. High fantasy has also been adapted into many films and TV shows, including The Lord of the Rings trilogy, The Hobbit trilogy, and Game of Thrones.

Other than Tolkien, which authors are known for writing high fantasy?

There are many authors who have written high fantasy. Some of the most notable ones include:

1. George R. R. Martin: He is the author of A Song of Ice and Fire series, which has been adapted into the popular TV series Game of Thrones.
2. Brandon Sanderson: He is the creator of the Cosmere Universe, which includes the Mistborn and Stormlight Archive
3. Patrick Rothfuss: He is the author of the Kingkiller Chronicle series.
4. Ursula K. Le Guin: She is the author of the Earthsea
5. Nnedi Okorafor: She is known for her African-inspired fantasy novels, including Who Fears Death and Akata Witch.
6. Andrzej Sapkowski: He is the creator of the Witcher
7. Robin Hobb: She is the author of the Realm of the Elderlings
8. Naomi Novik: She is the author of the Temeraire series, which is a blend of historical fiction and fantasy.
9. Tamora Pierce: She is known for her young adult fantasy novels, including the Song of the Lioness and Protector of the Small
10. Katherine Arden: She is the author of the Winternight Trilogy, which is set in medieval Russia.

What are some of the weaknesses of the high fantasy genre?

High fantasy is a popular subgenre of fantasy, but it has some weaknesses. Here are some of them:

1. Lack of diversity: High fantasy stories often feature characters from a narrow range of backgrounds, such as white, male, and European. This can make the genre feel exclusionary to readers who don’t fit that mold.
2. Over-reliance on tropes: High fantasy stories often rely on familiar tropes, such as the chosen one, the dark lord, and the quest. While these tropes can be effective, they can also make the story feel predictable and formulaic.
3. Complexity: High fantasy stories often feature complex worlds with intricate histories, cultures, and languages. While this can be immersive, it can also be overwhelming for some readers.
4. Length: High fantasy stories are often long and sprawling, with multiple volumes and hundreds of pages. While this can be satisfying for readers who enjoy immersing themselves in a richly detailed world, it can also be daunting for readers who prefer shorter, more concise stories.
5. Lack of realism: High fantasy stories often feature magic, mythical creatures, and other fantastical elements that can strain the reader’s suspension of disbelief. While this can be fun, it can also make the story feel less grounded and relatable.

Despite these weaknesses, high fantasy remains a beloved and enduring genre that has inspired countless readers and writers alike.

What high fantasy films have been made?

There are many high fantasy films that have been made over the years. Here are some of the most popular ones:

1. The Lord of the Rings trilogy (2001-2003): Directed by Peter Jackson, this epic trilogy is based on J. R. R. Tolkien’s classic novel and follows the journey of a hobbit named Frodo Baggins as he tries to destroy the One Ring and save Middle-earth from the dark lord Sauron.
2. The Hobbit trilogy (2012-2014): Also directed by Peter Jackson, this trilogy is a prequel to The Lord of the Rings and follows the adventures of Bilbo Baggins as he helps a group of dwarves reclaim their homeland from the dragon Smaug.
3. Harry Potter series (2001-2011): Based on the novels by J. K. Rowling, this series follows the adventures of a young wizard named Harry Potter as he attends Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and battles the evil Lord Voldemort.
4. The Chronicles of Narnia series (2005-2010): Based on the novels by C. S. Lewis, this series follows the adventures of four siblings who discover a magical world called Narnia and help its inhabitants fight against the evil White Witch.
5. Willow (1988): Directed by Ron Howard, this film follows the adventures of a young farmer named Willow Ufgood as he tries to protect a baby from an evil queen.
6. The Dark Crystal (1982): Directed by Jim Henson and Frank Oz, this film is set in a fantasy world and follows the journey of a young Gelfling named Jen as he tries to restore balance to his world by finding a missing shard of a powerful crystal.

Is Harry Potter high fantasy?

Harry Potter is considered low fantasy. Low fantasy, or intrusion fantasy, is a subgenre of fantasy fiction in which magical events intrude on an otherwise-normal world. The term thus contrasts with high fantasy stories, which take place in fictional worlds that have their own sets of rules and physical laws. Hogwarts, the school of witchcraft and wizardry, exists alongside the real world, and characters in low fantasy can visit and experience real-world locations even though the setting may occur in a fictional place.

However, Rowling does introduce some high fantasy elements to the series, particularly as the series advances. For example, the last Harry Potter book introduces more high fantasy elements with an epic battle against evil.

What does the future of high fantasy look like?

The future of high fantasy is bright and promising. High fantasy has been a popular subgenre of fantasy for many years, and it continues to attract new readers and writers alike. With the success of TV shows like Game of Thrones, The Witcher, and His Dark Materials, high fantasy is in demand on TV and streaming platforms. Executives are always looking for these massive worlds to adapt, because if they become popular, they’re easy to spin off into new shows and to build new worlds.

In addition, high fantasy is becoming more diverse and inclusive. Many authors are exploring new themes and characters, and there is a growing movement to include more diverse voices in the genre. This is helping to make high fantasy more accessible and relatable to a wider range of readers.

Overall, the future of high fantasy looks bright, with new stories, worlds, and characters waiting to be discovered.

Write a high fantasy scene about a troll

The troll was a fearsome creature, with skin as hard as stone and eyes that glowed like embers. It stood over ten feet tall and wielded a massive club that could crush a man’s skull with ease. The troll had been terrorizing the nearby village for weeks, raiding farms and stealing livestock. The villagers had tried to fight back, but their weapons were no match for the troll’s thick hide.

One day, a young hero named Arin stepped forward to face the troll. He was armed with nothing but a sword and a shield, but he was determined to save his people. The troll laughed at him, thinking he was no match for such a puny opponent.

But Arin was quick and nimble, dodging the troll’s massive swings and striking back with his sword. The troll roared in anger, swinging his club with all his might. But Arin was too fast, and he darted in and out of the troll’s reach, slicing at his legs and arms.

The troll stumbled, his club crashing to the ground. Arin saw his chance and leaped onto the troll’s back, driving his sword deep into the creature’s neck. The troll let out a final roar, then fell to the ground, dead.

The villagers cheered as Arin emerged victorious. They hoisted him onto their shoulders and carried him back to the village, where they celebrated his bravery with a feast. From that day on, Arin was known as the Trollslayer, and his legend lived on for generations to come.

Asking the AI who its favorite high fantasy authors are and asking it who to read next if I like a specific high fantasy author elicited an exact repeat of the authors listed in the J.R.R. Tolkien question, above.

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Steven H Silver is a twenty-time Hugo Award nominee and was the publisher of the Hugo-nominated fanzine Argentus as well as the editor and publisher of ISFiC Press for eight years. He has also edited books for DAW, NESFA Press, and ZNB. His most recent anthology is Alternate Peace and his novel After Hastings was published in 2020. Steven has chaired the first Midwest Construction, Windycon three times, and the SFWA Nebula Conference six times. He was programming chair for Chicon 2000 and Vice Chair of Chicon 7.