Grimdark Fantasy discussion

Why not use a realistic world for the stories we enjoy? Why do some people prefer a fantasy world as a setting instead of the world as we know it? Is it because we like to set our minds to understanding new worlds, or is it because these new worlds offer something our own doesn't? - aside from escapism and "magic".
What is your opinion? What makes fantasy more than escapism? And why is grimdark fantasy such a good medium to make people reflect on the darker issues in life?

This is an excellent point. I've read a lot of books that I guess could be called Grimdark that are not traditional fantasy. Everything I've ever read by Charlie Huston has been Grimdark as Hell. Some of it is kind of Urban Fantasy (his Joe Pitt books) and some is just a raw crime story (The Hank Thompson trilogy). Another Urban Fantasy is the Twenty Palaces books by Harry Connally.

So that all said, I think Urban Fantasy tends to have a bit more grimdark by nature. The Hank Thompson books are Hard Boiled Noir in a modern setting. Again - Grim is expected.

Now the question that is really got me pondering? Why do I like these kind of books? What is it about suffering and torment and darkness that appeals to me? Am I raving psycho? I'd like say not yet. I think it is more that the suffering and darkness makes it more compelling. Makes me feel the highs and lows better in the story.

So Gry - for a modern/real world setting that is Grimdark, I'd highly recommend Charlie Huston's Hank Thompson trilogy.

Are war memoirs/histories considered real life grimdark? They are my favorite nonfiction genre.

Well, I guess I'm not answering Gry's questions. Sorry, typing aloud hehe

Grimdark fantasy is easier to write and read, I think. There is no boundary, high fantasy to low fantasy. It is the most flexible genre - you can bend it anytime - that appeals to most readers.

Silvana, I'd say War Memoirs are more grimdark than anything because they are absolutely real. I had an Uncle who was in Bataan in WWII, who never talked about it, but I've read about what went on there.

I think fantasy offers a different context than the real world does. For instance, it allows us to discuss racism without stepping on anyone's toes. Instead of talking of blacks and whites we could talk of humans and elves. Same goes for many other themes. Fantasy allows us to look at a situation we would otherwise have biased opinions towards in a new light.

Good point, Gry. I recall that episode of Star Trek "Let That Be Your Battlefield" where racism was starkly outed as ridiculous in a way that no one could deny just by virtue of the sci fi setting.

For those poor souls that might not remember it - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vi7QQ...

An interesting thing that can be done is to create worlds where whites are discriminated against. I once read a story about a country where homosexuality was the norm and heterosexual couples only existed for creation of children. Quite interesting.

Richard Matheson's "I Am Legend" ends with a good example of the norm being turned upside down. I've not seen the movie so not sure if that ends the same way. Probably not?

I never watched that movie. There's a German Shepherd in it, and I know it's going to die. Not watching it XD

Read the book. I'm certain it is better.

Watching the dog die was the hardest scene in the movie.