Swiss Family Robinson
Legends of Windemere: Beginning of a Hero had a focus on courage and fighting for what you believe in. Legends of Windemere: Prodigy of Rainbow Tower had a theme of friendship and loyalty. So, what’s going to be the them this time around?
Legends of Windemere: Allure of the Gypsies has a major focus on family. The Callindor family is introduced and interacted with. Isaiah, the protective mentor of our heroes, comes into conflict with his vampiric brother, Kalam. Sari must survive the extermination of her clan and find the strength to carry on. Father issues and proving one’s worth to family run throughout this book. It’s an interesting theme for me to play with because it will hold onto the other stories as an undercurrent. After all, the heroes will face death together, which will turn them into a type of family.
I’ve noticed that many literature families go for one of two styles. The first is that everyone gets along and there is very little conflict. They Brady Bunch their way through the story, so the main plot has little to do with the family structure. You know they’re family, but it doesn’t really factor into your thoughts on the characters. The other version is where the family is at each others throat. Nobody gets along and the familial conflict takes over the plot whether it’s the main story or not. Fantasy stories use the feuding family concept a lot, especially when the story is political. If it isn’t an ambitious advisor then the villain is a disgruntled child. Usually because there’s always exceptions.
My personal taste in families are ones that get along, but bicker. Maybe it’s because I come from a family that bickers while still maintaining a relationship. The siblings have a non-lethal rivalry, the children try to defy the parents, and any number of relationship events that can occur in a family unit. Nothing over the top unless it’s the key focus of the story. I’ll admit to having a few subplots like that, but they don’t show up for another book or two.
So, what are your thoughts on family in literature? Do you have a favorite family or one that you thought was terribly written?
Legends of Windemere 
The Royal Family of Amber has to be my favorite fictional family.
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I’m realizing I read a lot of story with orphaned heroes or no mention of family at all. Starting to wonder how rare families in the fantasy genre really are.
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One of my favorite families of all time is the Weasleys from Harry Potter. One of my film professors remarked that he’d prefer to see a movie just about them. And while I love me the Harry Potter books, I too would like to see a Weasley family story. Maybe fan fic can pull it off?
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I say it should be entirely about the twins and their mother. 🙂
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Poor Molly. She’s a good mom, putting up with them and all the other craziness that comes from everyone, especially her husband. She could be saintified! 😉
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One thing I wonder is which side of the family did the twins get the trouble-maker mentality from. Think they take after their dad’s side?
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Probably. I can imagine them asking what would happen if we did this, and Arthur saying, well, you can only find out if you do it. I need to get back to figuring out this crazy muggle stuff, but let me know how it turns out. But I bet there’s just a little bit of troublemaker in Molly, otherwise how would she and Arthur have gotten together?
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Opposites attract or she’s the one that’s kept him from getting killed? Not sure. Wonder what would happen if you lock Arthur in a Toys R Us.
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I don’t think you’d get him to come out. Ever. That would be entertaining to see. 🙂
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I always found it interesting how with a world of magic, he thought our world was amazing. It really makes one realize that unique traits of one world might be seen as everyday to those that live in it.
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Definitely agree with Jae! One of my favorite families is the Weasley family from Harry Potter. There was just something about them … not sure if it was just how clearly they loved each other despite their arguments, their fantastic house, or how fun and unique every one of them was … whatever the reason, they’re amazing and I LOVED reading about them 🙂
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I think part of their appeal is how they became Harry’s real family without it being forced or even blatantly declared.
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Your family seems normal. Which is good. I suddenly realized though, that I don’t have much personal experience with a normal family. I thoroughly enjoyed the fictional family in Anne Rice’s “The Witching Hour”. They were abnormal, very interesting, and despite it all, held to a loyalty that only family can have.
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Not sure if any family can be considered normal. Each one has quirks and ‘issues’. There’s always that black sheep in the clan or the favored child.
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My father and I could bleat.
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I can’t stand the fictional families that get along all the time. There’s nothing wrong with a little bickering now and then.
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I’d say it’s even healthier.
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Personally, I like stories about families that are relatable — that I can sink my teeth in – love to love and love to hate. But, that’s just me. 😀
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I agree. That’s why the perfect families never make sense to me.
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