Literary Conceit

Posted by Joshua S. Hill

September 23, 2007

As a self-confessed book-worm, I manage to make it through many books a year. So far, at a rough estimate, I’m sitting at about 35 books read so far this year. I might be a few more, but I don’t actually count.

In addition to my love of books, is my passion for the fantasy genre, and that is where I find myself reading the most. I love fantasy; the ability to leave this reality where greenhouse gasses are eventually going to rob us of a healthy planet, and move in to a world solvable by wielding a sword.

But as with any genre - whether it be in books, comics, movies, etc - there are times when you can take it too far.

The word for this is ‘conceit’ - and I believe it to be the point at which you step too far, hoping that your readers will step with you regardless.

I just finished reading Fiona McIntosh’s Myrren’s Gift - the first in a trilogy of books entitled The Quickening. For much of the book, I was enamored by the storyline, and was caught up in how she wielded the elements of fantasy and the use of her characters.

However reaching the end of a book, which is essentially a fantastical view at body-switching, I found that I was utterly disappointed by her hope that we would simply follow her down the path she had written for herself.

I won’t spoil the book for anyone, but loosely, you can take body-swapping too far. In fact, you can take it too far and then three steps further, and I believe this is what McIntosh has done. She has laid out our feet, a storyline that asks us to ignore the sheer reality of a person’s life, and natural instincts. So brave and full of chivalry or pride, they apparently step away from humanity and in to some ‘heroic’ stage that I thought only J.K. Rowling had gifted upon young Harry.

Now let me say this as a disclaimer. I have no doubt that in times of brief stress or trial, decisions may be made that would not have been made at other times. However, when they happen time after time, to the detriment of the story and the character, it depresses me.

In addition, she falls prey to a literary theme that seems to permeate fantasy novels; the blind rage that will lead to the ruination of a blossoming romance. It seems that most fantasy authors have very unfulfilled love lives, and are unable to allow anyone they write a successful romance. They fall prey to ‘The Nanny’ syndrome; ie, not allowing the fulfillment of a relationship until they are willing to cancel the series (as was the case for Max and Fran).

Those of us reading fantasy books are not looking for a romance book, but we are looking for human reality amidst the trolls and unicorns. You’re allowed to have a successful romance within the first book, and not have to stave off romantic fulfillment till the last 37 pages of your third book!

I thank the stars that I managed to obtain the next three books in Isobelle Carmody’s Obernewtyn series, so that I have something to move straight on to to forget this unsavory experience.

Whether I will finish off her series, or move on to other works by McIntosh, is yet to be seen, and will be most quickly judged when I have money (and have probably finished reading Obernewtyn and Simon R. Green’s books). But to all those who are current or aspiring authors, please, don’t treat us as blind loyal fans like Apple do their fanboys. Give us some credit!

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