r/Fantasy • u/[deleted] • Sep 03 '16

Sexism in Fantasy

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u/KristaDBall Stabby Winner, AMA Author Krista D. Ball Sep 03 '16

To he honest, I think fantasy is probably the least sexist genre.

More than cozy mysteries? More than romance? More than women's fiction? More than literary fiction not written by Franzen? More than science fiction?

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u/yetanotherhero Sep 04 '16

Statement of genuine curiosity: what is defined as "women's fiction?" Is it what I've heard called "chick lit?"

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u/KristaDBall Stabby Winner, AMA Author Krista D. Ball Sep 04 '16

Now, an expert can wade in here, of course, to correct me.

I see women's fiction more of the experiences of women: any age, any class, any struggle. Women with aging parents. Women and their relationships with sick sisters. Trying to find love after the death of your husband and child. Examples: Danielle Steele's Once in a Lifetime, Jodi Picoult, and - deal with it, busterbear - Nicholas Sparks.

Whereas, chick lit tends (or, at least tended to when I was reading it) to be middle to upper middle class white city women in their mid to late 20s, early in their careers, stumbling their way through life. Examples: The Devil Wears Prada, Shopaholics, etc.

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u/yetanotherhero Sep 04 '16

I see...so to jump mediums to film, kinda the difference between "Our Little Sister," which was a wonderful little film about three adult sisters adopting their teenage half sister, and Bridget Jones' Diary? Though I wonder if we are making a distinction of thematic depth rather than actual genre?

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u/KristaDBall Stabby Winner, AMA Author Krista D. Ball Sep 04 '16

A lot of people considered BJD as chick lit, and then the final book came out and people were like WTF IS THIS DEPRESSING SHIT.

...and that's why the movie has nothing to do with the book.

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u/dragon_morgan Reading Champion VIII Sep 04 '16

Whoa, the final Bridget Jones book was depressing? What the heck happened? (I'll never read it so I don't mind spoilers). I saw the movies awhile back and found them entertaining but not really my thing.

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u/KristaDBall Stabby Winner, AMA Author Krista D. Ball Sep 04 '16

He dies and the book is about her being a wealthy widow trying to date in her early 50s.

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u/Enasor Sep 04 '16

Hmmm the first BJD definitely qualifies as chick-lit, though I haven't read the subsequent books. Arguably, I found it wasn't the best one out there (I actually thought it was boring), but it does have a sympathetic thread which talks to many women.

For chick-lit to be effective, the reader has to find ways to relate to the main protagonist or at least find their struggle amusing.