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Oh, that's a really good question. Vivien Send a noteboard - 10/04/2012 08:52:51 PM
It would be so much easier to pick a universally liked science fiction book (Ender's Game by a mile).

For fantasy, it's a little more difficult. "Universally liked" is very difficult, it would be better to clarify if we're going for the book/books that are liked by the most people, even if they're actively disliked by a substantial number of people. [Which would disqualify Martin, Jordan, and Tolkien because I hate to say it but it's too dry] Are we going for a book that's at least ok for the majority, or that's the most loved by the most people, no matter how much its hated by others? If you go with this definition, you could even make a case for Atlas Shrugged. [Ender's Game wins the sci-fi slot by any definition you can go with- practically all sci-fi readers have read and like Ender's Game, and many love it]

I am choosing to go with books that are (or could be) well liked (not just acceptable) by the vast majority of fantasy readers and are unlikely to be hated by too many people.

Most likely, the answer is Robin Hobb. It's fantasy that's well written but easy to get into and entertaining, it's not too different/weird while not being derivative and unoriginal. I don't know of many people who've tried Hobb and didn't like it and I believe it's pretty popular. I would also say C.S. Friedman- her fantasy is also very good and popular.

Guy Gavriel Kay is a possibility, but it's less adventure oriented so it's a little in the alternative category so I don't think he has as much mass appeal as Robin Hobb, C. S. Friedman, or Carol Berg. [I really really wanted to say Carol Berg just because I can't imagine someone not liking her fantasy but she's a fairly recent author and I don't know how many readers are aware of her as of yet.]
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Is there a universally liked fantasy book? - 06/04/2012 08:51:12 PM 1879 Views
I like The Fionavar Tapestry, but I don't expect everybody does. - 06/04/2012 09:08:18 PM 1311 Views
Not really - 07/04/2012 01:23:38 AM 1210 Views
That surprises me. I would think you'd have enjoyed LIONS or TIGANA. *NM* - 07/04/2012 07:39:08 AM 485 Views
I disliked Sarantium and Under Heaven - 07/04/2012 07:49:50 AM 1201 Views
Agreed in the case of Lions of al-Rassan. - 07/04/2012 10:34:02 AM 1129 Views
Seems a silly question to ask. - 07/04/2012 07:37:44 AM 1120 Views
Simply--no. - 07/04/2012 04:37:16 PM 1528 Views
Except for LOTR wasn't that original. - 07/04/2012 05:14:49 PM 1017 Views
Perhaps. - 08/04/2012 04:33:07 PM 1202 Views
Re: Perhaps. - 09/04/2012 02:39:42 AM 1041 Views
Agreed. Tolkien is the closest you'll get. - 09/04/2012 12:46:04 AM 1172 Views
I agree about Tolkien - 11/04/2012 12:35:51 AM 1136 Views
Sword of Truth series. *NM* - 07/04/2012 06:11:27 PM 443 Views
Seconded. We should all grow yurds. *NM* - 09/04/2012 07:33:00 PM 560 Views
I haven't read either of those - 07/04/2012 11:52:47 PM 1067 Views
I would've thought Tigana. - 10/04/2012 04:24:56 AM 1016 Views
Horrendous Book - 10/04/2012 12:16:55 PM 1092 Views
I love Tigana, but yeah, Wibble's not the only one who doesn't. - 10/04/2012 07:13:00 PM 1029 Views
Good to know. - 16/04/2012 04:56:48 AM 1367 Views
I read Tigana very recently - 16/04/2012 02:12:38 PM 1147 Views
Well, like I said, it's not one of my faves. - 10/05/2012 03:53:49 AM 1204 Views
Oh, that's a really good question. - 10/04/2012 08:52:51 PM 1121 Views
Re: Oh, that's a really good question. - 10/04/2012 11:33:36 PM 1050 Views
I had Hobb recommende to me - 11/04/2012 03:38:35 AM 1077 Views
Same here. - 16/04/2012 02:14:06 PM 1098 Views
so the tawny man onwards kind of sucked - 01/05/2012 10:27:41 PM 1233 Views
ursula le guin - earthsea? *NM* - 01/05/2012 10:28:35 PM 596 Views
The first one, at least, should be liked by everyone. (IMO) - 01/05/2012 10:59:34 PM 1060 Views

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