Why Fantasy Refuses to Die

Tolkien, Chesterton, and Lewis on Why Fairy Stories Matter

People love fairy tales. They never seem to fade from popularity. Despite the increasingly materialistic and rational world that we live in, fantasy is booming. Game of Thrones, Harry Potter, and Lord of the Rings have all become cultural staples. Fantasy as a genre continues to dominate book sales and streaming platforms. It’s a strange thing, our fascination with the other-worldly. It’s a universally persistent desire that traces back to the beginning of humanity. From ancient mythology to modern Netflix epics, our fantastical infatuation has never faded. In many ways, Marvel superheroes have become the modern equivalent of the Greek pantheon. What is the reason for this unchanging attraction? Is fantasy actually important or is it just children’s entertainment? Today we examine three of the world’s greatest fiction writers and their answers to these questions.