Four British Fantasists

Four British Fantasists explores the work of four of the most successful and influential fantasy writers of the generation who rose to prominence in the "second Golden Age" of children's literature in Britain: Susan Cooper, Alan Garner, Diana Wynne Jones, and Penelope Lively. Drawing on history, archeology, social geography, anthropology, and postcolonial theory, as well as literary criticism, Butler provides a series of new perspectives through which to view these writers' achievements. He begins by highlighting some points of biographic coincidence (e.g. all four authors were children during WWII, all were born within a year or two of each other, and all attended Oxford University in the early 1950s--when C. S. Lewis and J. R. R. Tolkien were publishing their seminal fantasies) and questions if these factors play any significant role in the development of these fantasy writers. The author then uses this question as the springboard for a case study in the assessment of biographical and literary influence. The book also considers the role played by Britain itself in determining the shape and preoccupations of these writers' fiction. Britain is a land with a long history in which contemporary life is constantly juxtaposed with evidence of the past in the form of ancient buildings, historic sites, and archeological remains. By placing the work of Cooper, Garner, Jones, and Lively in the context of British culture and of their own time, Butler provides a key to their fascination with history, mythology, and magic, and to the ways in which that fascination has found expression in their fiction. Students of children's literature and of fantasy literature as well as readers who are interested in the lives of these four subject authors will find this an insightful read.

ISBN 081085242X   Pages 322 ISBN13 9780810852426 (What's this?)   Volumes 1 Publisher Scarecrow Press   Weight (grammes) 417 Imprint Scarecrow Press   Published in Lanham, MD Format Paperback   Height (mm) 218 Publication date 25 Apr 2006   Width (mm) 145 Library of Congress 2005057646   Spine width (mm) 24 DEWEY 823.08766099282   Academic level Undergraduate DEWEY edition DC22

Part 1 Acknowledgments Chapter 2 1. Contexts and Connections Chapter 3 2. Applied Archeology Chapter 4 3. Longing and Belonging Chapter 5 4. Myth and Magic Chapter 6 5. Conclusion: Writing for Children? Part 7 Bibliography Part 8 Index Part 9 About the Author

A literate, illuminating look at four authors...Since many of today's undergraduates grew up with these writers, this important title should not be limited to academic libraries supporting graduate and undergraduate children's literature courses. It belongs in any library that serves a liberal-arts curriculum. It is highly readable, commandingly intelligent, and refreshingly jargon-free. A seminal work of criticism. School Library Journal, 10/1/2006 ...recommended... Arba, vol. 38 (2007) This is a well-written and extremely scholarly work. The Green Man Review ...the thoughtfulness and depth of the scholarship that went into this study, and the intriguing perspectives from which Butler considers these four premiere British fantasy authors, have resulted in a work that is well worth returning to again and again. -- Martha Hixon Butler examines the work of four British authors of children's fantasy fiction who began their careers during the 1960s and 1970s. Particular attention is paid to the role played by British history and culture in the development of their writing. The literary influence of such writers as C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien is also considered. Butler (English literature, U. of the West of England) is the author of numerous fantasy novels for children and young adults. Reference and Research Book News, August 2006

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