Why I love fantasy

I often get the question “What have you read lately that’s good?” It’s a hard question to answer, because what I think it good other’s might not. As you can probably guess by the title of this blog, I read a lot of fantasy, science fiction, children’s books and young adult books. I’m always amazed at the look on people’s faces when they find out that the last book I read and loved was a Young Adult fantasy novel called “Going Bovine,” by Libba Bray. I won’t say they sneer, but some people only manage to stop themselves just before their face freezes into a grimace.
I’m also very fond of saying that some of the most spiritual writing I’ve ever read was fantasy and science fiction. I’m not sure why people are surprised at that, because, I think, exploring the world of the spirit is a lot easier in a fantastical imaginary world. Trying to put the world beyond the mundane into a novel about the mundane world, is always going to be a little tougher. And that’s why I loved “Going Bovine.”
“Going Bovine” is about a slacker teen named Cameron, who doesn’t get along with his parents, gets high in the bathroom at school and fails most of his classes. So far, probably not the upstanding young person a lot of parents want their kids hanging out with, or reading about. Cameron starts hallucinating, which surprises no one considering he uses drugs. Until it’s discovered he has mad cow disease, hence the “going bovine” of the title. That’s where the novel takes on the spirituality that fantasy explores so well.
Cameron goes on a road trip to try to save his life. Or maybe it’s just one major big last hallucination. But in the course of traveling the country looking for a cure with a dwarf and a lawn gnome, Cameron ponders the meaning of life, religion, the spirit, friendship, family and a few other major philosophical musings. A lot of times when literary authors muse on the meaning of life it can come across as just wanting to hear themselves talk, or pushing their own theories. Of course, that’s probably what a lot of writings about anyway. But in fantasy, we can explore incredible subjects in a fantastical world without every taking ourselves too seriously. And maybe that’s a major part of what spirituality and literature are all about, explorating everything beyond our understanding with as light a touch as possible.
When I first started working at this library, Nancy Harbison, the director at the time, always encouraged me to read picture books when they were returned. I developed the “a picture book a day, keeps the psychiatrist away” philosophy. So, I’d encourage everyone to read picture books, but don’t stop there. You be amazed at all the great literature written for children and teens that you might be missing out on, because you think of it as “kid’s books.” Start with “Going Bovine.” You may just be surprised. If it doesn’t answer the meaning of life for you, it will brighten your day.