We all have them: friends who do not read fantasy and sneer at us when looking at what we are reading. Sometimes, we can convince them to give it a try. In those circumstances, what do you recommend?

My usual recommendation is the Chronicles of Amber by Roger Zelazny and, now that the movies are out, LOTR. (However, I find that, often, the exposition of FOTR turns people off, hence my reliance of Amber, which starts with the protagonist waking up in a private hospital with no memory and breaking himself out. The exposition is caught up in the action.)

I'm looking for other recommendations. Chime in.

I'd start with LOTR movies as you mentioned. Once they get interested in it get them The book. Rather Hobit than LOTR. Simplier. :)

Though thats only my opinion, and dont count on it too much as i havent made any of my non-fantasy-worshipping friends to like fantasy.

I've been unable to convert anyone. However I think that Homeland would do well.

None of my friends read fantasy. Some of them play PnP games though, and most of them have some sort of geeky hobby like anime/manga, gaming, programming, gunlore etc. To get them read fantasy? When I care about it, I just blabber for a few hours about some book I read a while ago and how great it is and... etc.

That's easy. Pratchett. It's worked with every single person I've tried it on thus far. I have yet to meet someone who doesn't like Pratchett.

Yes, I have friends like that. I have "converted" a couple of my friends by making them read Homeland.

My wife doesn't like fantasy. She says it's unrealistic (duh -- that's the POINT!) so I tried to start her with "The Eye of the World", as the first 100 or so pages have little to no magic. No soap. Maybe I'll try Pratchett on her like you guys suggested.

Lord of the Rings might not be so good. Those of my friends who "don't like fantasy", have only read LotR and claim that no other fantasy can be that good (and that's their reason for not reading anything else!).

Actually, my sister (who dislikes fantasy) DOESN'T like Pratchett. The reason? She is a dead ringer for Susan. Hell, her name is Susanna, for Whatever's sake... and with dead ribnger, I mean dead ringer. Educated. Reasonable. Sensible. And the list goees on...

It's scary, you know...

I have yet to convert people, but I usually recommend LotR. But Bored of the Rings works wonders, too :D

(*sniffles* *atchoo*)