Einstein, Vikings, and the Stars

Title: Fantasy
Author: Poul Anderson
Published: 1981
Pages: 334

Reading Time: Fall/Winter 2010.

Plot Teaser:
"Leonardo, meet Albert Einstein." Thus begins a journey through Realms of Myth and Magic such as is given few of Mortal Birth. Learn the True History of the Aryan Race (You have nothing much to lose), Pierce the Heart of Publishing (and watch a mythic pirate pale before its pulsations)...Experience the True Nature of False Courage (Must we spell it out?)...Join Elves against Aliens in War to the Knife (and Knife to the Hilt)...form an Unholy Pact (with a Usually Reliable Demon)...visit Other Worlds (through sheer force of personality)...Discover the Meaning and the Joy of Fantasy in the Age of Science.

Through the magic of Poul Anderson (whose spells never miss) all this can be yours, Mortal. So come, enter the world of...Fantasy.

How I Got It:
This was another purchase made in the basement of the Westdale Bookworm in Hamilton, ON, likely at some point in 2009 or maybe even 2008. With my interest in fantasy and short stories growing, I had heard Anderson's name before and wanted to sample some of his work.

The Review:
In a very kind and illuminating afterword, Sandra Miesel writes about Poul Anderson: "He makes what is magical real and what is real magical. Of such power is poetry born." In one of Fantasy's essays, Anderson himself goes on about the importance of having fantasy worlds "make sense." He is talking about the need to keep stories grounded in reality, and to make them feel believable, and stick to their internal logic, as well as the basic logic of battle, the limits of the human body, and other similar areas that many fantasy tales often ignore. By making his people feel like flesh and blood beings, the fantasy and sci-fi aspects of his stories feel all the more pertinent and applicable to our own world. Through this, Anderson's magic shines.

I have to say that I had a very interesting experience with this book. As I started it, I was captivated by the very bewitching opener, "House Rule," in which figures from across history meet in a tavern for a single night of drink, conversation, and general good cheer. As I continued into the more Norse-centred tales at the start of this short story collection, I found myself struggling to trudge through their dense names and imperceptible themes. It took me a few days to get through some of the longer stories, and some of that reading felt more out of stubbornness than honest enjoyment. However, as I moved on to tales like "The Valor of Cappen Varra" and "Superstition," I knew there was something special about Anderson's fertile mind, but I still lacked adequate bearings to fully grasp it. Thankfully, a couple of Anderson's personal essays allowed me greater insight into his approach to writing, as well as his inpiration, and the depth of his mind in general.

Reading "On Thud and Blunder," which is Anderson's exploration of heroic fantasy and its archetypes, I was able to learn about the author's love for his craft, and just how deeply he has thought about every minute detail. The essay is often comedic, talking about things like maidens who never seem to get pregnant regardless of how often they bed with a man, or horses that never need to stop for water or food, and men who can lift fifty pound swords as if they were spoons. He talks about the need for fantasy writers to broaden their minds and think about everyday things like the need for people to eat, even in stories, and the threat of disease and famine, which are rarely explored in heroic fantasy despite often taking place in the Middle Ages. I devoured this essay, along with his rumination on the differences and similarities between science fiction and fantasy, called "Fantasy in the Age of Science." Anderson seems like a true lover of his chosen genres, and as much a critic as a wonderful and poetic wordsmith. It was these two essays, as well as the afterword, which gave me greater appreciation for the tales that I had read previously in the book; even the ones that I did not initially enjoy or "get."

Fantasy acts as a sampler of Anderson's works, and provides tales that range from whimsical, epic, chilling, comedic, to thought-provoking. It accomplishes its job of making me hunger for more of his work, especially after reading the descriptions and praise for them in the afterword, as well as for Anderson's careful writing style and reverence for his subject matter. There seems to be much to this man's imagination, and to his literary skillset. Upon finishing the book, I went back and re-read the two essays and the afterword just because I was so inspired by them. They all mention works that have inspired the author, and made me aware of names in the genre that I had not known of beforehand. Poul Anderson has a rich pedigree, and I can sense it in his words here. I hope to delve deeper into his works in the future, and broaden my own perspective of the fantasy and science fiction genres, which I learn to love and appreciate all the more as I am exposed to thoughts and words such as the ones found in Fantasy.

I may not have expressed myself too clearly in this review, but that may be because I am still trying to comprehend what I have just read. I feel as though I have cracked the earth atop an abundant and rich reservoir, and I want to plunge in with a smiling face and an open mind. If Anderson is a poet of fantasy and science fiction, this is his introductory statement.

The Verdict:
Grading this experience is difficult, because the first time through sometimes felt like a forced struggle, but one which was ultimately rewarding. If I were to grade the book knowing what I know now of the complete experience, I would likely recommend it to fans of fantasy in general. However, if you are not a fantasy or science fiction fan, this book will likely feel alien to you; especially the Norse bits, which I still want to go back and experience again. (getting used to names like Ottar and Geirolf takes time) It seems like one has to have a bit of a background in mythology and history to understand what some of these stories are trying to reference in order to fully appreciate them. For that reason, this is not a book for everybody, but it does reward the patient reader who does not mind going outside of the source material to really understand the richness of stories that may have initially felt insignificant and rudderless.

3.5/5

Up Next:
The Hound of the Baskervilles by Arthur Conan Doyle.