Xanth

Xanth
First appearanceA Spell for Chameleon (1977)
Last appearanceApoca Lips
Created byPiers Anthony
GenreFantasy
In-universe information
TypeFantasy world
RulerKing of Xanth
Race(s)Elves, centaurs, demons, dragons, fauns, gargoyles, goblins, golems, harpies, merfolk, naga, nymphs, ogres, zombies
CharactersBink, Chameleon, Trent, Iris, Dor, Irene, Ivy, Grundy Golem, Smash Ogre, Tandy Nymph, Demoness Metria

Xanth (/ˈzænθ/ ZANTH) is a series of novels by author Piers Anthony, also known as The Magic of Xanth. The novels are set in the fantasy world of Xanth, in which magic exists and every human has a magical "talent."[1] The books have been noted for their extensive use of wordplay and puns.[2]

Anthony has stated that he has kept the series going as long as he has (currently 47 books) because the Xanth novels are "just about all that publishers want" from him.[3]

Since the peak of its popularity in the 1970s and 1980s, the series has been criticized by many scholars and reviewers for what they characterize as misogynist and pedophilic undertones; one reviewer has called it the "most divisive non-media publishing enterprise in all of fantasy."[4][5][6] Anthony has downplayed these critiques.

The series was optioned in 2017 for a film and TV series.[1]

  1. ^ a b the Rocket, Stubby (12 April 2017). "Piers Anthony's Xanth Novels to Become Feature Film and TV Series". Tor. Retrieved 16 September 2022.
  2. ^ de la Cruz, Melissa; Johnston, Michael. "'Spell'-Bound By A Goofy Book — And Later, United By It". npr.com. NPR. Retrieved 16 September 2022.
  3. ^ Novelli, Michael A. (17 November 2008). "An Interview with Piers Anthony". The Agony Booth. Archived from the original on October 8, 2016.
  4. ^ Wilson Wise, Dennis (18 October 2021). "Just Reading A Spell for Chameleon: An Appreciation with Caveats, and an Elegy". Mythlore. 40 (1). Retrieved 16 September 2022.
  5. ^ Heller, Jason (18 October 2013). "Revisiting the sad, misogynistic fantasy of Xanth". The A.V. Club. Retrieved 16 September 2022.
  6. ^ Chaplinsky, Joshua. "Themes of Pedophilia in the Works of Piers Anthony". Retrieved 16 September 2022.