thread: 2005-08-30 : Coming-of-age Fantasy for Adults
On 2005-08-31, Gordon wrote:
I've noticed that a lot of really, um, succesful? (in some sort of artistic sense) D&D play by adolescent-folk ends up being about coming-of-age. Especially the power != maturity issue, which I suppose might be an outgrowth of the "leveling up" system . . . but we're talking about Vincent's game here, so enough of that. Suffice it to say that I think the fantasy/coming-of-age connection is perfect.
I add to the mix of references to consider Patricia McKillip, most especially the Riddlemaster of Hed boooks, and maybe the Forgotten Beats of Eld (though it's been many, MANY years since I read that one, instead of just many years on Riddlemaster). The number of times I've had to stop myself from putting a harpist named Deth into my RPG play . . .
I second, just a BIT less enthusiastically than Mr. Snyder, Wolfe's The Knight. Unquestionably appropriate, and good, but something about it bothered me - enough (barely) that I'm waiting for The Wizard in paperback.
Definitely looking forward to seeing how this one grows,
Gordon
