I haven't read a Redwall book in, what is it, fifteen years? But there really is something to be said for that curious genre, which we might call Animal Fantasy (a genre which consists of the Redwall books, The Wind in the Willows and, er...that's it). I think a large part of the attraction for me is that I'm British, those books are British, and they hark back to a lost era of idyllic meadows on warm summer days, drinking cider while floating around the village pond on a rowing boat, the soft tap of cork on willow, Beatrix Potter, and Jennings. You should never estimate the power of nostalgia, especially nostalgia for something that you never experienced and probably never really existed, but which inhabits your national psyche like something you once collectively dreamed and can never quite forget.
It can't only be that, though; the other key to the success of Animal Fantasy is that it's undeniably Great and Awesome and Cool and Wicked. Look at this picture by Sean Rubin and tell me that it isn't. I just dare you.
If you don't mind you animal fantasy Yank-afied and a bit more adult with a squeeze of silly, I'd suggest checking out Alan Dean Foster's Spellsinger series of books. They're very evocative with some neat takes on the whole animal fantasy thing.
ReplyDeleteAnd don't forget Narnia though, like Spellsinger, it's not pure animal fantasy like Redwall.
- Brian
The name Alan Dean Foster really rings a bell... I have the feeling I've read something by him, but can't remember what.
ReplyDeleteHe's extremely prolific. For instance, if you've read a sci-fi or fantasy movie novelization in the past thirty or so years, he probably wrote it. Most of his stuff is sci-fi, especially his original work.
ReplyDelete- Brian
As a space-age corollary to the Awesomeness of Animal Fantasy, I offer Rocket Raccoon.
ReplyDeleteIf you're willing to accept a broader definition of fantasy, Watership Down (and Tales From Watership Down) fits neatly into the Animal Fantasy Genre as well, particularly the parts about El-Ahrairah
ReplyDeleteRachel: Oh yeah, Watership Down is like a more gritty version of animal fantasy, I guess. That would be a cool setting for a role playing game too, actually. I wonder if anybody's tried that.
ReplyDeleteAs usual, the answer to "Has anybody done this in an RPG before?" is, of course, that there is a GURPS supplement.
ReplyDelete- Brian
Those GURPS writers get everywhere, don't they? Maybe the better question would be: I wonder if there's a topic which there isn't a GURPS supplement for?
ReplyDelete