I would add a few essentials – LeGuin’s Earthsea (which GP mentions above), Robert Holdstock’s Mythago Wood and Lavondyss (two of the greatest fantasy novels ever written, though the books that carry on after these two lost their way in the woods, so to speak) and Susanna Clarke’s Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell.

Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn certainly belongs on any list of fantasy must-reads. Derivative? Somewhat, but beautifully written, steeped in northern mythology, and holding a fabulous tension throughout.

There are several that were mentioned above that I would not rank as anywhere near the best that fantasy has to offer, but I dislike criticizing the tastes of others, so I will refrain.

I was rather disappointed to read in the quoted paragraph that The Lord of the Rings had been grouped with several others as “about a fourth-grade reading level” which it is certainly not. The absence of the sex, gratuitous violence, and gritty realism of the current line of popular fantasy authors (Martin, Abercrombie, et al) does not make LotR less adult, poignant, and relevant than it has always been. I think this is more of a knee-jerk reaction against LotR simply because it has become so popular and pervasive in our culture.

Overall, great list. Purchased the Scott Lynch novel today since I wasn’t previously familiar with it.

1. Rah-Kirah (Transformation, Revelation, Restoration) by Carol Berg (most guys i know like this one)
2. Age of the Five by Trudi Canavan
3. Fortress of… by C. J. Cherryh
5. Rhapsody by Elizabeth Haydon
6. Sword Dancer by Jennifer Roberson
7. Essalyean by Michelle West
8. Earthsea by Ursula LeGuin

these are all series, i’m having trouble remembering stand-alone titles off the top of my head…

As I have said before, I do not assemble lists by racial profiling, and will not do so in the future, although I do need to radically increase my reading of female authors which is pretty woeful at the moment.

That’s the elephant in the room, I suppose…

Mark – Of course, and that’s why it’s important for multiple lists to exist. It’s also why I wanted to include such variants as The Anubis Gates, War of the Flowers and A Game of Thrones – to give the reader a variety of starting points, based on their preference/tastes. I wouldn’t send a 12-year-old cousin after Lynch and Martin, and I wouldn’t send my classical-reading, philosophy-major friend after Brooks.

This list is, obviously, not exhaustive, and, supposing they enjoy some of the books on the list, there’s all the time in the world for them to trawl the genre themselves and find some of the more niche novelists who might tickle their fancy, but not mine. As Adam said in his response, we’re not trying to show off cinema by digging out obscure art house flicks, but by pointing them at some major releases. When one has little experience with a genre/medium, it can be jarring to be thrown in the deep end. Of course, there are always exceptions to this rule.

That all being said, just remember that authors like Brooks did provide a very positive first impression for a lot of people, myself included. You don’t sell that many novels if people don’t enjoy your work.

deslily – I didn’t read Weis & Hickman, and Eddings is an author I’d warn newbies to stay far, far away from.

Larry – Yep, and I mentioned it as a list that would be great for people who are more familiar with the genre (like me!). I suppose it is more of a companion or follow-up piece to the New Yorker list, rather than a response.

Speaking of your list, I ran into a copy of 2666 at a used bookstore the other day, and considered buying it until I flipped through the pages and ran into a paragraph that lasted pages. I’d be curious to learn more about the novel, though.

CupofDice – Not on my list. I made it through the first six books, and I’m waiting to hear how Sanderson succeeds before deciding whether I’ll finish it. I suppose it could have been an honourable mention, but it has too many ups and downs in terms of quality to really successfully represent the genre.

I have both The Lies of Locke Lamora & Tigana on my “TBR” pile so I guess it’s time I read them!

Memory, Sorrow and Thorn and I have a rocky past. I read The Dragonbone Chair three-and-a-half times before the series finally clicked, but once it did, I absolutely adored it. I suppose the reason it makes the list, over stuff like Feist or Sandserson or Brett is for those who enjoy taking a step back and falling into a novel, head over heels. I expect a lot of people, especially those with a background in the classics, might actually enjoy the more languid pace of Memory, Sorrow and Thorn, though I certainly understand that it’s not for everyone.

I actually went back to it after finishing Shadowmarch and really enjoying it. So maybe it’s worth it for you to give War of the Flowers a shot.

I still disagree with MS&T. For me it’s a turnoff for fantasy and always has been. I would definitely put Magician in its place.

I haven’t read War of the Flowers, but Running With the Demon is an excellent alternative entryway novel. But then, MS&T has given me a serious Tad Williams mental block and I’m not likely to get to it anytime soon.