A more common intersection of science fiction and fantasy,
books dealing in parallel worlds, create two different societies,
one based in technology and natural law and the other
established along the lines of some sort of fantasy. Parallel
worlds avoid the problem of conflicting paradigms (sets of
"laws" and mindsets that control a worldview) by establishing
two separate paradigms within the story.
Much like the beginning of the Dungeons and Dragons Saturday morning cartoon of the 1980's, the plots of many of these books or series begin with a character or group from one world being sucked into the other. The world-crossers then have to learn to adapt to the new paradigm in order to return home, right some wrong, or save one or the other of the worlds.
These stories are perfect for examining alternate views of reality or dealing with needs for tolerance and balance in today's society. They also, of course, provide an ideal medium for escapist fiction and typical hero's quests. The only rule of the genre seems to be that the paradigm shifts have to be from one genre to another, not within the same one, although stories like these often switch between fantasy or science fiction and the "real world" rather than between the two genres themselves.
Good examples of this subgenre, in film, would include the Bill and Ted movies, the TV show Sliders, and The Neverending Story, just to name a few.
If you liked that image, take a look at more of the artist's work. Go to Michael Whelan's art page. Back to Introduction
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