Rhetorics of Fantasy introduces a new system of classification for the Fantasy genre. Utilizing nearly two hundred examples of modern fantasy, author Farah Mendlesohn uses her system to explore how fiction writers construct their fantastic worlds. She divides fantasy literature into four categories: fantasy-portal-quest, immersive, intrusion, and liminal-that based on the relationship of the protagonist to the fantasy world. Using these, Mendlesohn argues that the author's stylistic decisions are then shaped by the demands of the category in which they choose to write. This is a great read for any novice or expert writer who wants to understand their writing in a new way.

About the author

Farah is an academic and writer of speculative fiction. She is one of the main voices in modern Fantasy criticism and produces a lot of work on children’s fantasy literature. Her approach to fantasy varies from her predecessors as she categorises fantasy by how the fantastic elements enter the story. Her books are a must read for any Science Fiction or Fantasy author as they may introduce you to different ways of expressing your ideas in the genres.