23 Of The Most Influential Fantasy Books Of All Time

Although I’ve personally enjoyed many of these books and series, I tried to explain how they were influential in both positive and negative ways and criticism they’ve received. Also, saying one book helped pave the way for others doesn’t necessarily mean one author directly imitated another. More broadly, the earlier book’s popularity contributed to an environment where books on similar themes would sell. These books have had major impacts on the fantasy genre and publishing industry — and on pop culture at large. Though no single author, historical period, or culture invented the fantasy genre, I wanted to trace influential examples of fantasy, starting in the 19th century, but focusing on the 20th and 21st centuries.