Why Escaping Reality is Good for Kids

The prejudice against fantasy novels misses the social and emotional value they offer, especially for young readers.
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Fantasy is a genre of literature that tends to polarise people. The oft-repeated logic is that “serious” readers prefer realism while fantasy caters primarily to children or those who view reading as a form of escapism. The assumption is that fantasy is of lesser value than realist writing – which is why it is commonly associated with children and the imagination.

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Victoria Flanagan
About the Author
Victoria Flanagan is a senior lecturer in English at Macquarie University.