When the new trailer for Season 2 of Amazon Prime's “The Wheel of Time” premiered online last week I couldn't help but reflect on the profound impact that fantasy fiction has had on my life as of late.
For years, I had overlooked the genre, never venturing into the celebrated realms of “The Hobbit,” “Lord of The Rings,” or “Game of Thrones.” Of course, I have watched their cinematic adaptations but as a bookworm, my literary adventures in fantasy were confined to Lloyd Alexander’s enchanting “The Chronicle of Prydain” series during my pre-teen years.
However, my path took an unexpected turn when Sarah J. Maas’ “A Court of Thorns & Roses” series entered my life.
During a tumultuous phase of personal metamorphosis, as I bid farewell to the bustling streets of New York City and 25+ years of a life I had lived there and embarked on a sun-drenched journey in creating a home in Los Angeles, while also navigating the complexities of unexpected singlehood in my mid-to-late-thirties, destiny intervened: a group of coworkers formed an unofficial book club, sharing copies of Maas’ novels with fervor.
From the very first page, I was spellbound, ensnared by the magical allure.
The setup is simple:
Feyre, a courageous nineteen-year-old huntress whose fateful encounter with a wolf in the woods set in motion a chain of events that transported her to a treacherous realm ruled by lethal, immortal faeries.
But within the pages of Sarah J. Maas’ “Court of Roses and Thorns” series, her literary talents gleam brightly, enthralling readers with an empowering narrative and truly unforgettable characters. (I will refrain from saying too much because you truly owe it to yourselves to discover it for yourselves!)
As I delved deeper into the books, I marveled at Maas’ inexhaustible imagination, occasionally experiencing sparks of jealousy (for I, too, am only human) at her ability to weave intricate otherworldly tapestries that resonate with a tangible authenticity.
Yet, what struck me most profoundly was the seamless convergence of my personal journey with the transformative odyssey of the characters. Like Feyre’s evolution throughout the series, my own path led me to a different city/world, where I have created a new home and circle of friends, I’ve come to work at a day job that I am happy to give my time to as I have cemented my commitment to my craft as both a writer and an actor, and even more surprisingly, discovered a partner who has surpassed the confines of a mere love-interest – a true companion.
In essence, Sarah J. Maas’ work became a conduit for self-discovery and transformation, mirroring the shifts occurring within my own existence.
This should not have come as a great surprise to me, because there’s a real reason why fantasy is actually very healthy to engage with.
As my boyfriend knows, I love science. Especially when it supports ART.
So here’s the science:
Fostering Creativity: Research published in the journal Psychology of Aesthetics, Creativity, and the Arts found that reading fantasy literature stimulates creativity by expanding the boundaries of imagination and encouraging the exploration of novel ideas and perspectives (Kidd & Castano, 2013). The immersive nature of fantasy narratives allows individuals to engage in imaginative thinking and generate unique solutions to problems.
Emotional Connection and Empathy: A study published in Psychology of Popular Media Culture revealed that reading fiction, including fantasy literature, increases empathy and emotional intelligence (Bal & Veltkamp, 2013). By forming deep emotional connections with fictional characters and their transformative journeys, individuals develop a heightened ability to understand and resonate with the emotions of others.
Strengthening Emotional Resilience: Research conducted at Durham University found that engaging with fantasy literature provides emotional support and promotes resilience, particularly in times of stress and adversity (Kuipers & Popma, 2018). The immersive escapism offered by fantasy narratives allows individuals to temporarily detach from their own worries and find solace in fantastical realms, fostering emotional well-being.
Cognitive Stimulation: A study published in the journal Frontiers in Psychology investigated the cognitive effects of reading fantasy literature and found that it enhances cognitive processes such as problem-solving, critical thinking, and mental flexibility (Johnson, 2019). The intricate world-building, complex plotlines, and imaginative scenarios inherent in fantasy narratives require readers to analyze information, make connections, and engage in higher-order cognitive functions.
These research findings collectively support the idea that engaging with fantasy literature and fantasy-themed media has far-reaching psychological and cognitive benefits. They stretch the boundaries of creativity, evoke empathy and emotional growth, strengthen emotional resilience, and stimulate cognitive processes, thereby expanding the horizons of the mind. The combination of personal experience and empirical evidence highlights the transformative power of the mesmerizing world of fantasy fiction.
So yeah… feast on it. It might actually improve your ability to engage with your own life in a more meaningful way.
Now, as the spotlight of Hollywood turns toward this extraordinary tale, Hulu's forthcoming adaptation, guided by visionary Ron Moore (renowned for his masterful television adaptation of the bestselling “Outlander” series), holds the promise of sweeping cinematic success and I’m so looking forward to seeing how we go from page to silver screen and to further dive into a realm where faeries, magic, imagination, and empowerment seamlessly intertwine.
My only hope is that they cast unknown actors instead of someone from the top 1% who we all know and don’t botch it with poorly executed CGI and AI background actors - if we fail to negotiate better contracts with the AMPTP.
#SAGAFTRASTRONG #WGASTRONG #STRIKE
Order the whole series here today and let me know what you think in the comments!