Prawda czasu, prawda fantazji – historia a literatura fantasy

Abstract

Where does historical literature end and fantasy begin? The aim of this article is to present the ways in which fantasy literature utilises historical material, both directly (historical fantasy), and indirectly (portrayal of a medieval feudal society in traditional fantasy novels); in the present as well as in the beginnings of the genre. The first work discussed in the article is the novel Gates of Rome by Conn Iggulden, in which the author portrays the youth of Julius Cesar while changing and twisting many of the facts. The novel is an example of literature that is in theory historical, but in reality, it treats historical material with latitude more characteristic of fantasy. Iggulden's approach is juxtaposed with the attitude of Guy Gavriel Kay, a fantasy writer who bases his works on historical events, but at the same time openly demonstrates the fictional nature of his novels. The next work mentioned in the article is James Hogg's 19th century fantasy novel The Three Perils of Man, which at the time caused some outrage in Edinburgh's literary circles by its cavalier treatment of historical material. The next issue discussed is the controversy surrounding The Witcher 3 and Anita Sarkeesian's comments about the game's portrayal of an openly sexist society based on medieval Europe. A similar controversy caused by A Song of Ice and Fire and the TV show based on the novels is also mentioned. The last title discussed in the article is Korona śniegu i krwi by Elżbieta Cherezińska, a historical novel inspired by George R. R. Martin's fantasy series.