Gormenghast

The Hobit, and Gormenghast's main characters are both unconventional and give a new take on the fantasy world. In The Hobit, it is a past middle aged tiny creature with hairy feet, who is past the point of seeking out an adventure to find themselves, nevertheless it happens to him. The Hero's Quests never come to the willing, because it means there is something that needs to change. In Gormenghast the story revolves around the main character, which is the actual castle, and what goes on inside it. Following the ancient castle's going ons and development of the people living inside, which affect the castle itself.

Gormenghast starts out with Titus being born, the heir to the house of Groan. Born in what seems to be a deserted city, with stragglers left. But nevertheless it is one giant structure that keeps growing and dying. Since Titus is just a baby, the story does not focus as much on him, but more on the other inhabitants of the castle. The inhabitants of the castle have daily lives that are filled with rituals. It dominates their lives. It causes them to be self sufficient and perpetual.

I have never really been interested in the Hobit, and Gormenghast didn't quite captivate me from the start. I was more interested in Titus' development than anything else. In the Hobit I could never relate to the protagonist. But it is definitely a different take on fantasy stories. Causing people to rethink this formula of the Hero's Quest, which usually happens to youths that are in need of development.

There are usually so many details put into fantasy stories, it never keeps my attention long. But, since these stories create different worlds, it is necessary to describe these worlds in detail, which end up being a reflection of our own. It is necessary for these fantasies to exist, which are usually seen as an escape, but in reality are based off of our reality. Putting it into this context, the fantasy worlds will live inside the readers and bring a little bit of the purpose of the world into reality through the reader.