My review of ‘The End of Magic ‘ by Mark Stay
Tuesday, 16th April 2019
I don’t usually opt to read fantasy genre. But Mark Stay’s ‘The End of Magic’ encouraged me to consider the reason for my preferences.
Why did I become so concerned about the fate of Rosheen and Anzu? Although I was aware that the characters, creatures, dragons, witches and rulers who struggled in this world were created by Mark, I cared for them. I also found myself drawing parallels between their struggles and a search for meaning in our world.
The word fantasy comes from the Greek word phantazein, which means “to make visible.”
Coming from a religious background I began to wonder if perhaps we unconsciously fail to distinguish between the gods in magic and the supernatural. Does the fact that both genres talk of gods and magic mean that supernatural fiction and religious narrative in fact constitute one common genre, and that the only difference between fiction and religious texts lies in the way the texts are interpreted.
Is there similarity between the Lapis Moon and the fear christians have of their falling from grace or the hope that many have of not descending into one of those recently pictured black holes out there in the universe.
Does fantasy help us cope with day-today life? Hoping, dreaming and planning for our future surely entails indulging in make-belief. Why should we rein in our imagination. Pretending, play-acting and day-dreaming enriches our lives often providing us with worthwhile solutions to problems. Opting into another realm can lead to creativity. Let’s follow the muse!
So well done, Mark! I’m a convert. Hopefully ‘The End of Magic’ doesn’t end there.
You invited us into a world where there were battles and warlords, kingdoms, differing cultures, a variety of landscapes, folklore, differing moral laws and so much more. Invite us back.