High and Low Fantasy

[steepholm]

I put this query out on Facebook but may as well repeat it here, since the answer hasn't come zinging back in unambiguous terms as yet...

Who coined the terms "high fantasy" and "low fantasy" - both the concepts and the actual phrases? I feel this is something I ought to know just like that, since they have historically had quite wide currency, even though (for several reasons) I dislike and avoid them myself.

Comments

[readthisandweep.livejournal.com]

I can't answer your question, because I don't know. Your post did get me thinking. About the difference between fantasy (whatever height) & magical realism.

I'm rereading Gabriel García Márquez, & that got me thinking too...

[steepholm.livejournal.com]

Magical realism is one of the many things the high/low distinction wasn't built to deal with - though I suppose it would probably be low if one were forced to choose (which one isn't, of course).

[readthisandweep.livejournal.com]

Well, quite - because the two are different.