A Guide to Fantasy Literature is a wide-ranging, thoughtful look at the magic of fantasy storytelling and why it delights and enchants readers of all ages. The book discusses the nature of the best writing, from tales of Middle-earth and Narnia to many other examples of high fantasy, dark fantasy, fairy-tale fiction, magic realism, and adventure-fantasy tales. The book also examines the major building blocks of fantasy fiction, and discusses the purpose and popularity of fantasy literature today. Includes material from original interviews and many brief samples of outstanding passages from the writings of the best fantasists, from J.R.R. Tolkien to J.K. Rowling, from C.S. Lewis to Stephen King, drawing an inclusive picture of a vibrant literary community across the ages. This is a substantially revised version of an earlier work, The Writer's Guide to Fantasy Literature (2002), now oriented to a general audience of readers, while offering many tips and techniques for writers.