This week’s prompt: What fantasy or Sci-fi should be part of the literary canon?
I have no idea what this prompt is asking me. What’s the literary cannon? Also what are people who don’t really read sci-fi or fantasy supposed to write? Okay, let’s take this one step at a time. I’m going to guess from the word “literary” that this is possibly asking me to select some sci-fi or fantasy books that I think are worthy of being considered literary fiction rather than relegated to a “lesser” genre designation. I don’t agree with that premise to begin with, a good book is a good book, so this makes sense to me. I still haven’t read many though. I guess there’s Lord of the Rings – but that’s definitely already literary cannon, right? Maybe Andy Weir’s books? I loved both The Martian and Project Hail Mary. Do those count?
Help! Did I get this one right at all? Which books did I miss that are sci-fi or fantasy but belong in the literary camp as well? Is that even what this prompt meant?
The Book Blogger Hop is a weekly blog link-up that gives participants a different book-related question to ponder each week, and allows them to share their thoughts, find new blogs to follow and connect with new readers. The Hop was originally created by Jennifer at Crazy for Books and is now hosted by Billy at Ramblings of a Coffee Addicted Writer. To see a list of upcoming prompts go here.
I took the question to mean essentially “books that everyone should read” like Pride and Prejudice and Moby Dick…I think The Martian would be a great addition to literary canon (I haven’t read Project Hail Mary yet).
I hope you have a great weekend.
Here’s my BBH if you wish to visit – https://justanothergirlandherbooks.blogspot.com/2025/03/book-blogger-hop-what-sci-fifantasy.html
Yeah, I think you’re right on with that definition. I agree (though I have to admit to not having read Moby Dick – it’s quite long and I don’t know if I can spend that much time on a book about hunting a whale!).
I think your answer is perfectly fine. 🙂 Lord of the Rings seems to be a standard for any fantasy literary canon from the other answers I’ve seen, and it was one I mentioned as well. I haven’t read Any Weir’s books, but I have heard good things about his books. And I did see the movie, The Martian and though it was really good.
Thanks! Lord of the Rings is definitely in the literary canon – deservedly. I wouldn’t compare Weir to Tolkien at all, but I did enjoy his books a lot. They’re engaging and manage to be very funny!
I think of the literary canon as books that people are wild about, across time and across place.
Mind you, I am no expert on this. lol
Good definition! I like that a lot.
I had to do a Google search and hope that my answer was relevant. I don’t read a lot of fantasy these days and I read even less sci fi. I’ve seen Lord of the Rings mentioned. I’ve only seen the films, but I’ve read The Hobbit.
Have a great weekend!
Emily @ Budget Tales Book Blog
My post:
https://budgettalesblog.wordpress.com/2025/03/07/book-blogger-hop-what-fantasy-or-sci-fi-should-be-part-of-the-literary-canon/
I enjoyed The Hobbit more than the trilogy – I had trouble getting through all three books and there were places it really dragged for me. The Hobbit was more fun to read, I thought!