Portals are a common element in fantasy books, as they allow characters to travel from one world to another, often with different rules, cultures, and magic. Portals can have various forms, such as doors, mirrors, books, or even dreams. Portals can also have different effects on the stories, such as creating conflicts, challenges, mysteries, or opportunities for the characters. Here are some examples of how portals are used in fantasy books:
In The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis, the portal is a wardrobe that leads to the magical land of Narnia, where the children protagonists have to fight against the evil White Witch and fulfill a prophecy. The portal allows the children to experience adventure, danger, and wonder, as well as learn important lessons about courage, faith, and friendship.
In Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll, the portal is a rabbit hole that takes Alice to a whimsical and nonsensical world, where she meets various strange and absurd creatures and situations. The portal challenges Alice’s logic, perception, and identity, as she has to adapt to the constant changes and riddles of Wonderland.
In The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman, the portal is a subtle knife that can cut through the fabric of reality and create windows to other worlds, where different beings and forces exist. The portal enables the main characters, Lyra and Will, to explore the multiverse and discover the truth about their destiny, as well as the sinister plans of the Magisterium.
In Every Heart a Doorway by Seanan McGuire, the portal is a metaphor for the different types of fantasy worlds that the characters have visited and returned from, such as fairylands, underworlds, or nonsense lands. The portal represents the longing and loss that the characters feel, as they struggle to fit in the real world and cope with their trauma.
In The Fox Wife by Yangsze Choo, the portal is a cultural and spiritual bridge between the colonial Malaya and the ancient folklore of the fox spirit. The portal creates a romantic and mysterious relationship between the main characters, a British officer and a fox woman, as well as a conflict between their worlds and secrets.
These are just some of the ways that portals are described and used in fantasy books, and how they impact the different stories. Portals are a fascinating and versatile device that can enrich the fantasy genre and create endless possibilities for the readers.
