Opposing Viewpoints

From: James Fishwick <james.fishwick@st-catherines.oxford.ac.uk>
Date: Fri, 23 Nov 2001 01:53:49 +0000 (GMT)
To: webmaster@quidditch.com
Subject: Opposing Viewpoints- Quidditch Through the Ages

One of the key ideas behind good fantasy or sci-fi is creating a believable world. Yes, the worlds by their nature have to be fantastical but they also have to be internally consistant and have a real sense of history. Look at some of the most popular sci-fi/fantasy worlds around:

-Tolkein's Middle Earth. A good set of stories, but the real clincher that turns a fairly good yarn to true genius is the sense of mythology underpinning the tale. Not only do we believe there is a history behind the events- but also we see there is a future ahead. Ideas like the piece about the evolution of the different hobbit tribes really provide the strong base for the adventures of the characters.

-The original Star Wars Trilogy. Where would Star Wars be without the history? The fact Darth Vader was not always bad, or how the Rebellion are striving to re-create a society only recently torn apart by the political manipulations of the Emperor?

-Pratchett's Diskworld. The maps and history presented in diaries and similar really make the diskworld complete. It is these that take it beyond being a spoof of fantasy novels, and in to a unique set of stories in their own right.

I could go, but I think you see the point. Developing small parts of the fantasy world, and providing a history that explains the situation makes the stories far more believable. Otherwise we would be wondering "How come the wizards haven't been mentioned in muggle writings over the past couple of centuries?" or "how on earth would such an idiosycratic game as quidditch evolve?" or "if dragons exist, how come I've never seen one?"

In my opinion the Quidditch and Mythological Creatures books really develop the world in exciting ways. The story books are good, well-written light reads but it is these two books that are by far the most inventive and imaginative. It is in these the true genius of Rowling's work (her wonderfully created, utterly believable world that co-exists with our own) really emerges.

And I personally say Quidditch is one of the best books I've read in ages. Small, yet well-detailed and a real thought provoker. Not bad for something I picked up for a couple of quid just because it was for Comic Relief :)

Of course, it could just be I'm a madman who loves reading history books for even real world events a bit too much...

James Fishwick,

St Catherine's College,

Oxford University