/lit/ - Literature

>>18946852
Good points, fantasy as a broad genre can be considered to include unreality and mythos in all their varied literary forms, like Borges and even the writings of surrealists like Michaux, Carrington, Breton. I do see a throughline between older forms of fantastic literature and some of Tolkien's more polished descendents like Wolfe, and yes, Bakker.

Still, none of this changes the fact that 95% of the genre is paperback garbage power fantasy slop, and Bakker heavily indulges in the most sperglord genre tropes, which sometimes works amazingly well in his books when they border on self-parody, like the Dagliash scene in The Great Ordeal. Also, keep in mind he comes from a rural working class background and has an apparent chip on his shoulder about urban elite culture in general.

>>18176436
I wouldn't call it light reading, it's certainly much darker, heavier, and stranger than say a GRRM. That said, if you like the idea of challenging, byzantine, and somewhat overwrought baroque literary "black fantasy" filled with philosophical musings and a dash of sardonic humor, it will not disappoint....

>>17617803
Same anon. I love the northern renaissance and its continuity with surrealism.

>>17576583
>necessary to read before reading Bakker if you want to have a clue
Genesis, Exodus, Deuteronomy, Job, Psalms, Ecclesiastes, Lamentations, Isaiah, the Gospels, Revelation
>strongly recommended
The entire Pentateuch, Judges, Kings, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Habbakuk, Hosea
>apocrypha (strongly recommended)
Book of Enoch, Gospel of Thomas, Secret Gospel of John, Book of Mary Magdalene, Apocalypse of Peter

Predictions for Book VIII
Kellhus' soul trapped in the Other Decapitant
Mim, Esmi, Akka, and Akka Jr. infiltrate Ark to rescue him (and Malowebi)
Serwa is alive but wounded, Kayutas brings her to safety along with a few survivors of Resumption
Some fuckery with Ajokli-Cnaiür entering the Hells in a very bad mood.
We find out what really happened to Shea.
Crab Hand Kid learns Psûke from Meppa, combines with innate Dunyain abilities plus metagnosis for le heckin ultra-über-sorcery