When I was growing up (quite a few years ago) reading science-fiction and fantasy was nothing like it is today. If anything, there was a HUGE stigma associated with all things fantasy.
Like only the nerds read it.
Now granted, I wasn’t your typical D&D -playing, fantasy-reading gal. I painted my nails on the weekend, took dance lessons twice a week. But in my spare time, I taught myself to program BASIC on my Commodore 64 and got straight A’s in Calculus. And I was a closet sci-fi and fantasy reader. I used to head over to one of my guy friend’s houses and borrow ten fantasy books at a time to read. When asked on the beach by passing boys what I was reading, I used to (oh, this is horrible to say) lie about it. Because seriously, what would sound dorkier than admitting to reading a fantasy novel.
Now? I’m proud. I still have never played D&D in my life, though I’m fairly certain I would love it. Maybe once my kids get older.
Sad but true; that was the stigma. But these days, the stigma is deteriorating. I think Harry Potter has ripped down the wall for younger kids (and adults). I think Twilight has made it cool for older kids. That said, do older kids (I’m thinking high school here) dare to read the high fantasy swords and sorcery novels that younger kids devour? Or is the stigma still there? Will it ever truly vanish?
So what do you think? For you older readers, were you a closet SFF reader growing up? For you kids, do you see a stigma around you now? And when if ever will it go away?
Parker Peevyhouse
lindajoysingleton
Joni Sensel
Chris Eboch
Nick
Greg R. Fishbone
I feel there is a stigma for adults who read MG/YA books. I’m 27, but walking into the teen or kids section of the book store is still a little embarrassing for me. Growing up, I did think that requesting a fantasy book was blush-worthy (I used to be super shy), but then I just started calling it SF/F and it made everything much better!
Back in the 90s when Pearl Jam was the most popular rock band in the world, I saw an interview with a fan who’d been obsessed with them since before they got their first record contract, back when they were doing gigs in whatever tiny venue they could book. You’d think this guy would have been happy for the band’s success, but instead he was totally pissed off. “Pearl Jam’s music isn’t for everyone. It’s just for me and my friends. We were listening to them before they were cool!”
I don’t feel quite that way about science fiction and fantasy, but that’s what I had in mind when you asked your question. I liked SF/F before it was cool–or maybe it always was cool and it’s just taken this long for other people to realize it.
I also think the mainstreaming of SF/F has created niches that wouldn’t have been possible before. Twilight could not have been published in the 80s.
I have never been much of a sci-fi reader, and I wonder if the whole unicorn/fairy/dragon thing I went through in HS was less “nerdy” than aliens, etc? Oh, who am I kidding–only one of my HS friends even read much at all, so I was probably considered nerdy on that account alone!
This may be because I live in the Silicon Valley, but I think (hope) that nerdy is just a whole lot cooler than it was when we were kids. Our parents didn’t grow up with Heinlein & Asimov, who pretty much predicted everything that is going on today. They didn’t grow up with Star Trek–how many parents do you know that DIDN’T watch that at some point? But for my son, who is a huge reader AND a huge video game player, who’s fiction of choice is definitely fantasy & sci-fi, well, he’s just got a whole, huge tribe of kids to hang out with at middle-school, who see the world the same way he does. They call themselves geeks and nerds (or maybe I don’t have QUITE the right distinction; it’s apparently a very fine line), and they do it with pride. It’s pretty neat.
Beth, I used to have these mixed embarrassed-proud feelings in bookstores when asking about SFF. Now I can see the people working there probably couldn’t have cared less!
Too funny about the Pearl Jam comparison, Greg. And I think it’s totally applicable!
Becky, it’s great to hear how kids refer to themselves! I think it’s way cool, too! And living in Austin (which is very techy) I feel like I have a skewed opinion of what is cool also.
Thanks for visiting, all!
This is so funny. I’ve never thought of Sci Fi/Fantasy as nerdy. Perhaps that’s because everyone I knew read it, and I was one of those who didn’t so much.
And even in college, where preppy was the rule, there were quite a few D&D fans who dressed up and played out the game in live scenes around campus. Very, very cool.
How funny, Vivian! It’s like thinking everyone loves to read because I talk to a bunch of authors and bloggers who talk about books
I always thought the D&D dress up thing was way cool. But I never did it.
hmmm… maybe I should make that a before 40 goal – dress up in Renaissance attire!
Thanks for visiting!
The stigma?…oh dear, I’m 32…and I recently finished the Twilight books. They are great! People laughed at me when I told them what I was reading… Its’s YA books why are you reading THAT?
So what?
The story is why you read a book. I happen to like “nice” vamps and happy endings. Don’t tell me all of McCaffreys books are YA too, ’cause then I’ve missed something here…
Keeping young
The author of: G.E.N.I. Genetically Enhanced Natural Intelligence
http://www.apexreviews.net/GENI_-_Lillian_Skamsar.html
http://www.eloquentbooks.com/G.E.N.I.html
I’m with you on the “keep young” philosophy, Lillian! And I’m all for happy endings. Though maybe someday I should challenge myself and try to write something else.
And the funniest thing about the Twilight books is all middle-aged moms I know are either reading them, have read them, or are planning on it.
Thanks for visiting!
I wasn’t personally ever aware that there was a stigma associated with reading fantasy or science fiction. As a reader and writer of fantasy for many years now, I can’t say that I have ever felt uncomfortable or teased because I read fantasy. Growing up in a rather stringent religion, fantasy was highly frowned upon and therefore I would be more of an outcast than have a “geeky” stigma. If anything I experienced stigma in general from reading, as it was what “bookworms” and girls did, not “real men.” Fortunately I have overcome the stigma of all of that and now read what I please without any fear of reciprocity.
Interesting, James! Maybe I experienced more stigma being a girl. Or maybe in your case with fantasy being frowned upon, this may have made it more exciting, thus reducing the stigma.
Thanks for weighing in!