Stop Reading Fantasy at the Surface (An Intellectual Guide)
We Need to Start Reading Fantasy with a Bit More of a Philosophical Lens
The book community seems to have an obsession with cozy corners loaded with pastel pillows, fluffy blankets, and the latest cupcake candle release burning next to their rolling TBR cart. The TBR cart, is full of course.
The books we’re actually reading in the fantasy genre do not match this sweet, light academia aesthetic. High fantasy is built on augmented worlds, characters full of existential dread, political intrigue, and mysticism.
Today, we are stepping out of the cottage core stereotype.
Watch “Stop Reading Fantasy at the Surface” Here
Welcome to my library. Let’s talk about why we need to start reading fantasy with a bit more of a philosophical lens.
I’m 39, I’m an artist, and I have spent years hiding my reading life because it didn’t fit in with the social mold. When I painted this room black, built my all-black bookcases, and displayed my vintage treasures I’ve collected for years, I noticed a shift happened. I realized that when my surroundings matched who I felt like on the inside, I began to start looking at fantasy stories as art history. My soul began to sing.
Take a series like ACOTAR. On the surface, the algorithm tells you it “masterfully blends epic, high-stakes fantasy world building with a heavy emphasis on romantic, emotional relationships, and passion” -Google.
But if we apply a philosophical lens, specially from the perspective of Jean Paul Sarte and his concept of freedom, “we are condemned to be free,” the main character isn’t just going about their day playing with magic and picking a partner based on whomever they spend the most time with. The characters are breaking away from generational societal expectations and systemic failure. They are choosing to exist in their own self-built plane of life. Their way of being “condemned to be free” is to ever be in a suspension state of choice. And we, the readers, get to follow them in their journey through this plane.
Because high fantasy involves massive (sometimes) exhausting high stakes, my reading rotation must have a palette cleanser. Every few weeks I gotta break it up. I don’t read contemporary fiction—I deep dive into art criticism and 20th century philosophy with classical literature sprinkled in, for funsies. These subjects cleanse my brain. When I step away from magic systems for a week or two, and then step back into a fantasy world, world building suddenly looks very different. Architectural details appear, what people are wearing suddenly have socioeconomic and practicality statements. There’s also the underlying critique of society in which all characters are defined by in some manner.
So if you are tired of the same three book recommendations wrapped in the same packaged paper, I want to invite you to stay a while. We are building a space here for people who love high fantasy but also appreciate design, philosophy and a refined edge.
Welcome to The Intellectual Side of Fantasy.
There’s no cottage core here—just a space where we read deeply into adult fantasy, over-analyze your favorite stories and enjoy a good pour.
Follow along if this is your vibe
IG: @cassandraelizabethsilva
YouTube: CassandraElizabethSilva
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