Speculative fiction has long been the perfect place to debate - via written word or screen - the dynamics of power and the appropriation of the same. One of the most commonly used metaphors is magic. And one of the most commonly used situations, especially in YA pec fic, is a radical overhaul of the status quo in which a group of 'others' are oppressed and then rise to challenge the system. The dragons love a good revolution as much as the next fantasy fans but there are times when you have to ask yourself what exactly is the story saying? Because magic equals power, and if the oppressed group have power then why are they oppressed? Could it be that unconsciously the love of a good resistance style plot occasionally means that authors punch down instead of up? SFF authors Jules and Madeleine take a look at where this works and where it clearly doesn't. Under the microscope this week - The Black Magician Series - Trudi Canavan, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, Red Queen Series - Victoria Aveyard, Gilded Cage - Vic James and many more.
Title Music: Ecstasy by Smiling Cynic
Dissecting Dragons: Ep 69: When you say Nothing at all - Sparkling Dialogue in Speculative Fiction
Dissecting Dragons: Episode 68: Cautionary Tunes - The Fantasy & History behind Folksongs & Nursery Rhymes
Dissecting Dragons: Episode 67: That Ship has Sailed - Happy Endings, Fan Service & the Appropriate Finale
Dissecting Dragons: Episode 66: Strange Familiarity - the Uncanny in Speculative Fiction
Dissecting Dragons: Episode 65: The Strange Case of Professor Lupin - the Subversive Power of Speculative Fiction
Dissecting Dragons: Episode 64: Rogues, Renegades and Robin Hood - Our Favourite Outlaws in Speculative Fiction
Dissecting Dragons: Episode 63: Mentors, Wizards and Wise Women - Portrayals of the Elderly in Speculative Fiction
Dissecting Dragons: Episode 62: Occult Detectives - Urban Fantasy and Mystery
Dissecting Dragons: Episode 61: Lords of Misrule - Tricksters, Con-artists and Grifters
Dissecting Dragons: Episode 60: Comic Can't - Conventions, Talks and Launches
Dissecting Dragons: Episode 59: Room 101 - the Concept of Dystopian Hell
Dissecting Dragons: Episode 58: One Ring to Rule them All - Magical Artefacts that made the Hero
Dissecting Dragons: Episode 57: Defying Gravity - the Incredible Unlikeliness of Musical Theatre
Dissecting Dragons: Episode 56: Symbiosis - Why we need Writing Buddies
Dissecting Dragons: Episode 55: Break 'em to Make 'em - the Heroes who Rise from the Ashes
Dissecting Dragons: Episode 54: Frost Giants to Snow Queens - the Frozen Heart of Speculative Fiction
Dissecting Dragons: Episode 53: The Wizard of Oz to Wicked - Adaptations and Reimagings in Speculative Fiction
Dissecting Dragons: Episode 52: Dragons, Wyverns and Wyrms - Happy Anniversary!
Dissecting Dragons: Episode 51: Happily Ever After - the Evolution of the Disney Princess
Dissecting Dragons: Episode 50: Dreamscapes and Nightmares - Writing the Unconscious
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