Bangsian fantasy is afantasy genre which concerns the use of theafterlife as the main setting within which its characters, who may be famous preexisting historical or fictional figures, act and interact. It is named forJohn Kendrick Bangs (1862–1922), who often wrote it.[1]
According toE. F. Bleiler, in his 1983Guide to Supernatural Fiction, "Bangs' most noteworthy achievement was a contribution to literary typology: the so-called Bangsian story, in which important literary and historical personalities serve humorously as characters in a slender plot line. Bangs did not invent this subgenre, but his work gave it publicity and literary status."
Bleiler's definition does not take into account that some of Bangs' stories, including the definitiveAssociated Shades series whose characters reside in Hades, are set in the afterlife.Jess Nevins' 2003 definition (inHeroes & Monsters: The Unofficial Companion tothe League of Extraordinary Gentlemen[2]) says it is "a fantasy of the afterlife in which the ghosts of various famous men and women come together and have various, usually genial, adventures", which closely agrees with Rama Kundu's 2008 definition.[3]
The genre was part of ancient Greek literature such as several dialogues ofLucian of Samosata and Aristophanes'Frogs. Dante'sDivine Comedy also features a voyage through Hell and interactions with famous people in the afterlife.
The four Associated Shades books may be considered collections rather than novels. The first three, at least, were first published as serials inHarper's Weekly shortly preceding their publication as books byHarper & Brothers. (Bangs was humor editor for George Harvey's "Harper" magazines from 1889 to 1900.) All were illustrated byPeter Newell.
