Popular Genres of Fiction Books

Fiction books represent about 16 percent of the total books published in the U.S. each year, but their sales numbers and power to stay in print traditionally exceed those of nonfiction books.  With e-Book sales increasing every quarter, officially eclipsing the sales of paperback books in February, 2011, brand-new and older fiction books are increasingly popular.

Genre Fiction books are Most-Read in Libraries

Libraries are a great resource for information about books and reading.  Library Journal is the official publication of the library industry.  According to Library Journal, in 2005, fiction book purchases by libraries overtook purchases of nonfiction (How-to, health, biography, cookbooks, history) titles.  In 2010, fiction books comprised the majority of books ordered by all libraries across the U.S.

Library Journal reported that “fiction remains the king of circulation” in 2010, and singled out the “rich and undersung standouts of genre fiction” as the most-popular books.  Library Journal covers books in the major fiction genres of Christian Fiction, Science Fiction and Fantasy, Thrillers, Romance and Mystery.

Bestselling Fiction books are Genre Books

The top-five bestselling books of all time are the foundation books of major world religions (The Bible is number one, with an estimated 6 billion total copies sold), but number six is the first Harry Potter book, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, by J.K. Rowling, with an estimated 107 million copies sold as of 2010.  Number seven on the all-time list with 100 million copies sold is And Then There Were None, the classic mystery by Agatha Christie, while number eight is Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien.  Dan Brown’s thriller The Da Vinci Code is number ten on the list, with 65 million copies sold.  Agatha Christie must be considered the “queen” of modern fiction book writers.  The mystery writer wrote 85 books, with an estimated 2 billion books in print to date.

According to the Romance Writers of America, which has the largest membership of any genre writers association, romance was the single largest adult fiction book genre category in 2009, with 13.2 percent of the market share. Religious and inspirational books are the next-largest category, with approximately 9 percent of the fiction book market.  Mysteries and thrillers represent about 8 percent of the fiction book market, while science fiction and fantasy books represent 6 to 7 percent of the total fiction books sold.

By the way, Dune is number the number 2 bestselling science fiction book of all time!

It’s been twenty six years since the bestselling Science Fiction Book of all time was written by Orson Scott Card.  To commemorate the anniversary I read it for the first time.  Yes, I’m a Sci Fi geek but never read the book before. I did not even know it was the bestselling science fiction book of all time until weeks later when I did a bit of research on it.  I did not even know it was 20 years old until I finished the book and the author had a commentary about when he started the book and when he published it for the first time.  This commentary was great insight on the author, his experiences and how he molded his idea for Ender’s Game for ten years before he wrote first a short story and a few years later the book itself.

What impressed me from the start of the science fiction book were the dialog and the portrayal of the characters deepest yearnings. You immediately feel Ender Wiggin’s feelings, emotions and inmost wants. As the novel goes on you feel the same for Valentine, Enders older sister.  Orson Scott Card gives Valentine the sweetest, most caring personality and voice you can imagine right from the start. Even though she’s a child, you can identify with her fears and life’s expectations.  Even before the science fiction part of the book ever starts, Orson Scott Card pulls you in with these two lovely, gentle characters.

On his commentary Orson Scott Card explains that he writes his science fiction books from a theatrical point of view. You see, he explains his career, even his business was in theatre; both as an entrepreneur owning a theatre company and as a script writer.  In Ender’s Game you will notice most descriptions of scenery are done through the characters not by the narrator. That’s because he follows the Shakespearean style and does not believe in fancy backswords, scenery or props for his plays.  This flashes through in his sci fi novels and it’s one of my favorite things in Ender’s Game. The dialog is spectacular.

NOTE: Within two weeks I read Ender’s Game, Speaker for the Dead and Xenocide.  Needless to say I liked these science fiction books!

Ender’s Game is 336 pages and first appeared in 1985. The book originated as a science fiction novelette or short story in Analog Science Fiction and Fact Magazine in 1977.  Orson Scott Card won both of the most prestigious science fiction literary awards in 1985; the Nebula Award and Hugo Award for best novel.  After some extended research online I discovered it’s listed as number one on the bestselling science fiction books of all time.

Orson Scott Card says the best way to experience Ender’s Game is in audio because that’s how he wrote it. I agree! I purchased the audio of the novel and it’s a wonderful production. Not to mention you get to experience his amazing dialog and even witty commentary from Orson himself at the end of the audio.

Here are the links to both the audio and written books on Amazon:

Audio:
Written:

http://www.amazon.com/Enders-Game-Orson-Scott-Card/dp/0765342294/ref=tag_dpp_lp_edpp_img_in

audio

http://www.amazon.com/Enders-Game-Orson-Scott-Card/dp/1593974744/ref=tag_dpp_lp_edpp_img_in

Science fiction cover art

According to a number of top 10 lists compiled by readers, librarians and reviewers, the top 10 most popular classic sci fi books include some of the 20^th Century’s most famous sci fi authors.  Only one author appears twice in the top 10 overall: Isaac Asimov.

The Top 10 Sci Fi Books List

1. Ender’s Game, Orson Scott Card
2. Dune, Frank Herbert
3. Foundation, Isaac Asimov
4. Hitch Hiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, Douglas Adams
5. 1984, George Orwell
6. Stranger in a Stranger Land, Robert A. Heinlein
7. Fahrenheit 451, Ray Bradbury
8. 2001: A Space Odyssey, Arthur C. Clarke
9. I, Robot, Isaac Asimov
10. Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?, Philip K. Dick

Hard Science Fiction Featured on Favorite Sci Fi Books List

Today, fewer “hard science fiction” books are published than in previous decades, particularly during the Golden Age of Science Fiction (1940′s to 1950′s).  But the classic sci fi favorite books still include many “hard science fiction” books, with stories about scientific principles, including realistic speculation about space travel, alien civilizations, robots and future technology. Foundation and I, Robot by Isaac Asimov are considered hard science fiction, while 2001: A Space Odyssey by world-renowed scientist Sir Arthur C. Clarke is also a hard sci fi book.  Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card tells the story of a young boy, Ender, who believes he is playing a game, while in reality, he is fighting in a distant interstellar war.  The technology in Ender’s Game and emphasis on interstellar war and how Ender’s “game” works makes Ender’s Game also a hard sci fi book.

Soft Science Fiction and Humor on Favorite Sci Fi Books List

Only one funny book is included on the favorite sci fi books list: The Hitch Hiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams. The Hitch Hiker’s Guide follows confused hero Arthur Dent on his wacky travels around the galaxy, spawning an enduringly popular, hilarious series by much-loved author Adams. “Soft science fiction” is usually defined as a sci fi book that speculates on future societies, human relationships or adventure instead of focusing on science, technology and realistic descriptions of space travel. Dystopian stories can be either hard or soft sci fi, but sci fi books like Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K. Dick, which was the inspiration for the film Blade Runner, cross into all areas of future speculation.  Dune by Frank Herbert is also considered a soft sci fi book, because it focuses on the planet of Dune and the science of ecology, as well as the nature of the far-future Atreides dynasty and many other characters in the rich and complex as the one described in the Sci Fi books of the Dune society.

Keywords Sci Fi books

Many readers became hooked on Sci Fi books as teens or even pre-teens.

A famous author once said that the Golden Age of Science Fiction is 12 – as in twelve years old. Sci fi books are popular with younger readers because of their great potential for adventure, action and exciting stories. Today, science fiction is more popular than ever among books for teens and young adults. Stories range from ultra-realistic and hard-edged adventure to softer stories about the struggles that teens face in alternate worlds.
Popular Sci Fi Books for Younger Teens Margaret Peterson Haddix is the author of numerous books for children and teens, and her most popular sci fi books are the Shadow Children series, which tells the story of a future society which suffers such terrible food shortages that families are only allowed two children each. Children born in addition to the two that are allowed are “shadow children.” The City of Ember is another place where life is difficult for kids. Jeanne DuPrau’s Ember series of books take place in an underground city that has been isolated from the above-ground world for more than 240 years, until 12 year-old Doon and his friend Lina discover there is a way above and out. Set closer to the present day, Anthony Horowitz’ books about teen British spy Alex Rider offer James Bond-style high tech adventure and suspense.

Sci Fi Books for Older Teens

Orson Scott Card’s Ender’s Game series of sci fi books is a little darker than some books written for younger readers, and it has enduring appeal for all ages. Image and self-esteem become dramatic, cool conflicts in Scott Westerfield’s Uglies series, where some teens are “ugly,” while others, the “pretties,” are permantly gorgeous. Scott Westerfield has also begun a “steampunk” series of adventures with Leviathan (2009), Behemoth (2010) and Goliath (2011) telling the story of Alek, the embattled heir to a steampunk World War I Austrian throne, and his adventures with Deryn, a British girl who dresses as a boy in order to serve on the amazing airship Leviathan. No discussion of sci fi books for teens would be complete without the most popular series of all: Suzanne Collins’ Hunger Games series, following the story of Katniss Everdeen and the rebellion against the oppressive Panem overlords.

It might not immediately spring to mind, but one of the most classic, memorable aliens in a science fiction book is Jeriba

the self-reproducing hermaphrodite alien from Barry Longyear’s Enemy Mine, which was made into an excellent movie starring Dennis Quaid and Louis Gossett, Jr. as Jeriba or Jerry.  What made Jerry so memorable?  He/she was seen through the eyes of Will, his human opponent and eventual friend – what today we call a “frenemy.”

Cuteness is another favorite theme among literary aliens. Little Fuzzy and his fellow Fuzzies are among the top alien favorites in science fiction books.  H. Beam Piper’s original Little Fuzzy novel and other stories tell the tale of human interaction with these adorable forest creatures.

The opposite of cuteness is repulsion, and it would be hard to not feel repulsed by the appearance of the spiderlike alien Hollus from top Canadian author Robert J. Sawyer’s award-winning science fiction book Calculating God.  In the course of telling a gripping story, Sawyer uses alien paleontologist Hollus to ask the reader to consider the nature of God, the universe, and the survival of life itself.

Larry Niven: Top Inventor of Aliens in Science Fiction Books

Classic science fiction book author Larry Niven is a one-man alien factory.  Niven might just be the best alien inventor of all time, as he is responsible for the unforgettable, cowardly Pierson’s Puppeteers (centaur-like beings with their mouths in their “hands”) and the equally unforgettable fierce, massive felines, the Kzinti.  Those who love classic science fiction with adventure, amazing concepts, and alien-human conflict can’t go wrong with Niven’s Known Space series of science fiction books, as well as the Man-Kzin war stories.

Aliens in science fiction books go back to the very earliest examples of science fiction, including the “Moonites” from Lucian’s science fiction story about the moon from the 2^nd Century ACE. Earth was threatened by the Martians from H.G. Wells’ War of the Worlds, and saved by earthbound microbes. Wells’ cold, machine-bound Martian intelligences were very different from the lyrical, ancient and strange Martians of Ray Bradbury’s Martian Chronicles.

Humorous to Terrifying Aliens in Science Fiction Books

Some aliens have been very effectively used for humor, such as Douglas Adams’ Vogons from The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Universe series (big green bureaucratic, pompous slugs).  A much more serious alien race is the Overlords, who look suspiciously like fallen angels, from science fiction book Grand Master Arthur C. Clark’s award-winning novel Childhood’s End.

One of the strangest aliens of all is the sentient planet from Stanislaw Lem’s classic novel Solaris. Another classic alien that is better-remembered from several scary film versions than from the original science fiction book is “The Thing” from Who Goes There? by John W. Campbell, which was first published in 1938 in classic science fiction magazine Astounding Stories.

science fiction book

like Star Trek’s many ships and missions, “explore strange new worlds,” and “go where no one has gone before.” Without the thousands of other worlds depicted by science fiction authors throughout the 20^th Century and into the 21^st, it’s unlikely that as many as 80% of people worldwide would believe there are other inhabited planets in outer space.

Classic Other Worlds in Science Fiction Books

Some science-fictional worlds are so popular and enduring, they almost seem real.  No discussion of strange new worlds would be complete without Frank Herbert’s Dune, the desert planet called Arrakis – home to giant sandworms, the immortality drug “spice” and wild desert Fremen. Today, Frank Herbert’s son Brian continues the story of Dune, along with his bestselling co-author Kevin J. Anderson.

Another enduringly popular other world is the enormous, distant planet Hyperion created by Dan Simmons, the home of the mysterious master of time alien Shrike.  And, as he did with alien species, Larry Niven is also a master creator of alien worlds, and will forever be remembered as the creator of the near-infinite, massive Ringworld.

No discussion of classic science fictional other worlds and societies would be complete without one of the most layered and complex alien worlds to date: the Hainish, created by Ursula K. Le Guin in her Hainish novels, which include the classics The Left Hand of Darkness and The Dispossessed.

Appealing Worlds in Science Fiction Books

Some science-fictional worlds are frightening, forbidding, or exotic settings for adventure, like Gaea of John Varley’s Titan and companion books of the Gaea trilogy. Others are appealing places that readers want to visit – or at least, can imagine visiting, like Anne McCaffrey’s classic land of Pern, home of the dragonriders.

Millions of readers have enjoyed Terry Pratchett’s Discworld, the home of one of the bestselling and most beloved science fiction book series of all time. Today’s works of “space opera” are also set in appealing science fiction book worlds, such as the Barrayar of Lois McMaster Bujold’s Miles Vorkosigan series of books and stories.  Worlds like Barrayar owe much not only to worlds like Dune, but also to adventure settings like Edgar Rice Burroughs’ Mars/Barsoom and even Mongo, home of Ming the Merciless in the Flash Gordon series.

Other interesting planets and worlds in science fiction books include the Uplift world created by David Brin and the Enderverse, created by Orson Scott Card in Ender’s Game and sequels.

Golden Age Heroes of Science Fiction Books and Series

Edgar Rice Burroughs created Tarzan, one of the most famous fictional characters in history. It’s hard to categorize Tarzan as a science fictional character, but it’s not difficult to categorize one of Burroughs’ other great heroes that way. John Carter of Mars is the prototypical space hero, and he even gets the beautiful alien princess. Buck Rogers and Flash Gordon were other classic space adventure heroes of the early 20^th century in films, comics and science fiction books. Virgil Samms, the first Lensman of E.E. “Doc” Smith’s Lensman books, is the prototype for nearly all action-adventure space heroes.

Military science fiction books have traditionally been one of the most popular types of science fiction, and “Golden Age” military science fiction heroes include Johnny Rico from Robert A. Heinlein’s Starship Troopers and Donal Graeme from Dorsai! by Gordon Dickson.  As writers experienced the Vietnam War began to tell darker stories, military science fiction heroes grew darker as well, with no greater example than Joe Haldeman’s William Mandella from The Forever War.

Modern Heroes in Science Fiction Books

Science fiction changed with the times, and with the advent of darker stories and new sub-genres like cyberpunk, the idea of “what is a hero?” also changed.  William Gibson’s groundbreaking book Neuromancer featured the semi-hero Case, who was the prototype for later heroes like Neo from The Matrix films.  More recent flawed heroes probably take some inspiration from classic science fiction book author Alfred Bester’s Gulliver Foyle, who possesses a number of negative characteristics, yet still manages to redeem himself in The Stars My Destination.  As science fiction books continued to develop, heroines began to appear in addition to heroes, with thought-provoking authors like the late Joanna Russ inventing women like Joanna, Jeannine and Janet in The Female Man.

Some recent science fiction books are popular because of the strength of heroes, like Miles Vorkosigan in Lois McMaster Bujold’s long-running space opera book series. One of the most enduring and likeable recent heroes in science fiction books is Ender, from Orson Scott Card’s Ender’s Game series, books which are enjoyable for young readers and adults.  Today’s most-popular science fiction book hero is a heroine – tough, complex and resourceful Katniss Everdeen from Suzanne Collins’ Hunger Games series.

After major religious books like The Bible and the Q’uran, number six on the bestselling books of all time is the first Harry Potter book, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, by J.K. Rowling, with an estimated 107 million copies sold as of 2010. Other top authors who have authored the bestselling fiction books of all time include Agatha Christie and Dan Brown.

These authors are well-known today, but some bestsellers of the past may not be as well-remembered.  The Latin phrase “sic transit Gloria mundi” was first used by theologian Thomas á Kempis in 1418.  Today the phrase is used to mean “fame is fleeting.”

Paperback Fiction Books Heroes

From the late 1940′s to the 1970′s, Harold Robbins wrote over 25 bestselling fiction books, with an estimated 750 million books sold.  His best-known fiction book was The Carpetbaggers (1961), with its main character loosely based on aviation tycoon Howard Hughes.  Harold Robbins’ books always included steamy sex and games of money and power, but their sex scenes would be considered tame today.  Sidney Sheldon was Harold Robbins’ paperback fiction book rival and one of the first “above the title” writers.  With an estimated 350 million books sold, Sidney Sheldon’s best-known fiction book is probably The Other Side of Midnight (1973).  An Academy Award-winning screenwriter, Sheldon also created popular television shows including I Dream of Jeannie (1965-1970), and did not start writing fiction books until after age 50.

Remember These Bestselling Fiction Books Authors?

Between the 1940′s and 1960′s, British children’s author Enid Blyton authored a staggering 800 fiction books for children which have sold an estimated 600 million copies to date, and have been translated into nearly every language.  Enid Blyton’s best-known series feature the characters of Noddy, the Secret Seven, and the Famous Five.  American author Gilbert Patten wrote and sold an estimated 125 million copies of “dime novels” under at least nine different pseudonyms between 1896 and 1930.  Patten’s best-known pseudonym was Burt L. Standish, author of the Frank Merriwell fiction books series, which founded the genre of youth sports novels.

Few kids growing up in the 1980′s could forget the Goosebumps Series by R.L. Stine.  To date, R.L. Stine is number 15 on the bestselling fiction books of all-time list with 430 books published and a total of 100 million copies sold.  The R.L. Stine of the turn of the 20^th Century was named Horatio Alger, who wrote 135 fiction books about little boys who grew up to be successful through hard work and persistence, which have sold an estimated 200 million copies to date.

Go to the homepage to learn more about science fiction books as well as fiction books.

Chances are that you’re also a science fiction book geek just like me!

I’m on my first fiction book, a science fiction novel that takes place in the year 5,000.  I’ve been researching and reading the best science fiction authors and books over the last 12 months with more than 3 million words read so far. 

Analyzing authors’ styles, how they build scenes, develop characters and advance their plots has been a wealth of information.  Now I found myself reading even more than when I started writing my novel and taking notes on science fiction authors.

How much reading do you do on your related literary genre as part of your science fiction book or fiction book research?

The 3 million science fiction book words I’ve read since started my novel are just research for this particular science fiction book. That does not count all the other science fiction books I’ve read over the years. It does not even include all the research on physics, astronomy, literature, history, and much more.

Make sure that you read some of the other science fiction book posts on the blog related to other others, worlds science fiction book characters and statistics.

Go to the home page to continue reading science fiction book content, posts, articles and more…

What are the most popular “Alternate Worlds” in Fantasy Books?

There’s no question that one of the main charms of reading fantasy books is the chance for the reader to immerse themselves in a different world from the normal, sometimes boring world we live in day to day. Some of the worlds created by fantasy authors are so iconic that their names stand for the general idea of “otherworldly” or “ideal world” today.

Utopia is one of the original fantasy books alternate worlds, and it was invented for a specific reason – to illustrate the right and wrong ways to think and live – by historical figure and author of the European Enlightenment, Thomas More. More’s Utopia is a classic of Enlightment thinking. Lacking a tremendously compelling plot, More’s Utopia is a fictional description of an “ideal” island in the Atlantic where the perfect social, political and economic structure exists.

These are thoughts from my LinkedIn group called “Book Writers”.

Read the entire post on the most popular Fantasy Books here…

Paul Burley • Without a doubt the most written about fantasy world is Earth itself. History itself is a fiction based on available data that, of course, is filled with holes.

5 days ago

Kelly R. Martin • I think that while J.R.R. Tolkien is fairly popular, it is certainly open to debate as to who the most popular or influential “fantasy” author is. I would put forth the likes of Lewis Carroll, H.G. Wells, L. Frank Baum, and even William Shakespeare as being both highly influential in the field of fantasy, and very popular for a long time after their demise. In light of all the fantasy material which preceeds J.R.R. Tolkien it would be hard to by default decide him the most popular fantasy author without first determining by which measures you desired to determine popularity (units sold, length of time in print, money made, etc., or even some complex formula creating a weighted average of several of these factors).

So before you ask the question “Who is the most popular?” I will ask, “By what measure are you weighing popularity?”

5 days ago

James Wesley McGee (Wes) • I have to agree with Kelly R. Martin. What standard are you using? In my opinion, if you are using depth of development of the world itself and no other measure I would have to say Tolkien’s Middle-Earth. Paul Burley does make an interesting point, and one I would not have considered otherwise.

5 days ago

Robert Rumble • Knowing what factors you are measuring the popular “Alternate Worlds” are would be a big help. I am sure that the popularity of worlds would be affected by age. For example, I like Middle-Earth, but my nephew who just turned 18 grew up with Harry Potter, so to speak and we have discuss the different worlds on several occasions. I have known several SF readers who were not familiar with middle earth but could name all the major planets in Star Wars.

Having said that I would say middle-earth from my little corner of world.

4 days ago

T. J. Banks • I agree with Kelly. And let’s not forget that little place called Narnia, created by Tolkien’s colleague, C. S. Lewis.

4 days ago

Betsy A. Riley • Wonderland. Based on how widely it is known by all ages–I would argue it is the most famous. Close second would be the Land of Oz–who hasn’t at least seen the movie? Close third would be Neverland from Peter Pan. (on second thought maybe Oz should be first).

Pern. Based on imagination and depth of detail–it would be my vote for most popular.
The Star Trek universe. It is infiltrating into the real world, so maybe “most pervasive”? (but maybe you don’t consider Star Trek fantasy, but sci fi)
Although the article asked for “most popular” the title asked for “most famous”. Those are quite different. And he did specify ALTERNATE worlds, so plain earth doesn’t count.
I suspect that “most popular” right now would be a tossup between the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, and (gag) the world of Twilight.

If you’re going to include Narnia, then you must also have Terebithia.

4 days ago

Betsy A. Riley • Although then again, there’s all those fairy stories set on Earth–but an alternate earth where magic works. Cinderella, Snow White, Red Riding Hood, Goldilocks–all inhabit an alternate fantasy world that is otherwise our Earth.
I’m just thinking, that if I ask my 90 year old MIL, she won’t know what Middle Earth is, but she will have heard of Oz and Wonderland–and so will my 6-yr old neighbor.

4 days ago

Ivan Walsh • probably those terrible harry rotter books

4 days ago

Cynthia Berst • I have been a total Fantasy fan my whole life. Now that I have children, I have written my own fantasy novel for children (middle grade – age 10) titled: The Auraling Series.

J.R.R. Tolkien is my inspiration – Joseph Campbell is my mentor (The Hero’s Journey). There are so many great contributors to our Fantasy genre that I’ve lost count!

I’ve posted my first chapter and a synopsis: http://cynthiaberst.wordpress.com
if you’re interested, please comment (I’d love to hear from other authors and fans both!).

4 days ago

Markus Lindley • Yes, Middle Earth is my favorite followed by Dune and the worlds of the Foundation Trilogy.

4 days ago

M.D.Stop Following Follow M.D.

M.D. Griffith • I’m going to have to say the world of Harry Potter.

4 days ago

Catherine Kustanczy • I adore the world of Lord Of The Rings – I had a nice little conversation with fellow Ringling Stephen Colbert about it recently, in fact (& blogged on it playanon.blogspot.com) -& I’m constantly amazed by the people I run into whose lives have been changed by Tolkien’s beautiful work.

4 days ago

BobStop Following Follow Bob

Bob Cherny • Jorge,

Strictly in terms of name recognition without regard to depth or quality, my votes, in order, would be Alice’s Wonderland, Oz, the world of Peter Pan and the Lost Boys followed by the worlds of the brothers Grimm before we get to anything more modern. I would also vote for the worlds in Disney’s Fantasia as worthy of recognition.

Bob Cherny

4 days ago

Tom Flood • How about back to BC with The Old Testament (and early AD for the new one, as far as I’m concerned), and the even more venerable worlds of Homer’s ‘The Odyssey’, the enormous Indian ‘Upanishads’ and further back to a possible 80,000BC for Australian Aboriginal folk tales. Are religious constructs the most successful fantasy worlds?

4 days ago

Paul Burley • @ Tom – That’s a great question, except that mythology is metaphor for truths held by a culture. As such, it does not consist of fantasy worlds, but both esoteric and exoteric levels of meaning such as the physical, emotional, intellectual and spiritual. Taken as a whole, world mythologies certainly describe the real world, and the universe.

4 days ago

Joseph Robertshaw • There are several distinctions that must be made here.

Popular vs. Famous – popular implies the current time and location while Famous indicates a more long lived collection of popularities. I think middle earth is very famous but less popular than certain other fantasies currently popular among the younger female demographic.

Fantasy world – Earth is, as others have mentioned the most written about fantasy world but I am assumung that the intent of the question was referring to a purely fantastic creation inhabited by purely fictitious characters. In that regard Tolkein is often claimed as the prime source of modern fiction (often by those who have not even read it). Many other fantasy worlds have gained a following as of late from DragonLance and Game of Thrones to The Deathgate Cycle’s dreamlike worlds. Robert Jordan and Terry Brooks have bent the corner a bit with worlds that many claim are post apocalyptic earths in which the appocalypse (sp) is so far removed that none remember it.

Literary only or do we consider the impact of other media and those audio visual, role players and gamers. Ice Wind Dale, The Rift war Saga, the Forgotten Realms, Ravenloft, and dragonLance are worlds that have rabid followers because those fans have LIVED in those realms.
Some realms are older, some realms have a wide following due to technology, and some realms are much deeper in detail than Middle Earth but Tolkein will always be a favorite of mine and I will always respect his influence that with others paved inroads into academia and inspired a generation or two of fantastic fantasy authors!

4 days ago

Tom Flood • Thanks, Paul, but I would ask you to try differentiating Tolkein, Rowling, Spenser or Shakespeare from the set of values you’ve just mentioned. Fantasy, as a subset of culture, is always metaphor for truths held by cultures.

4 days ago

Paul Burns • I haven’t read all the comments but another author whose world is quite amazing is Robert Jorden’s “Wheel of Time ” series. The amount of work that man did, prior to his unfortunate passing, is absolutely amazing. However, Middle Earth is still a familar place I like to revisit on a regular basis. I still think Tolkien got us all started.

4 days ago

Stuart Aken • Whilst JRR is undoubtedly very popular, his reliance on myth and folklore already extant in northern Europe makes ‘his’ world rather less original for me. The many other great inventions have been mentioned above and, of course, for modern readers, the world of Harry Potter is bound to be favourite. Love her or hate her, JK has done reading a huge service. And let’s not forget Ray Bradbury’s Martian Chronicles; sci-fi, perhaps but set in a world little known at the time of writing.

4 days ago

J.D. Mallinson • Thomas Moore was a 16th Century writer. The Enlightenment was in the 18th Century.

Ana María Trigo Alonso • It might be the most famous but my favourite one is the kingdom of the Raven King of the Susanna Clarke´s Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell. Absolutely perfect. And, since I am Spanish the kingdom of Olar which appears in Ana María Matute´s “Forgotten king Gudú”. ¿Has anyone read them?

4 days ago

Cody W Urban • There are myriad Star Wars books, far more than most avid readers are aware of. My vote is that the most written about fictional world is a long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away.

3 days ago

JoAnne Woodward • Let’s not forget Discworld. Terry Prachett has created a world that takes a skewed look at everything from texting to shakespeare, Death rides a horse called Binky and octarine is the colour of magic.

3 days ago

Philip Martin • Impressive comments, with lots to think about. I’d have to add the worlds in books by Neil Gaiman: Stardust and Neverwhere being favorites, but most recently The Graveyard Book.

For any interested, as the author of A Guide to Fantasy Literature, I’ve just kicked off a literary fantasy book club, can find details at:

First book on the list is Momo, by German fantasy author Michael Ende. It’s a wonderful book with great insights into childhood and adulthood. I’d welcome any of your comments about that little delightful classic.

Great discussion, here, Jorge!

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