Do you find the term “Grimdark” to describe gritty fantasy utilitarian or dismissive? Or do you think that it depends on how someone is using it? Do you know any authors of “Grimdark” who use the term to describe their own work? What’s the equivalent term for the opposite of “Grimdark”?
What’s your definition of “Grimdark,” and what are some examples you’ve read?
Heh, I’ve never heard the term. Must be getting old and up to date with all the youngling speak.
Not up to date. Nothing like bad typing to ruin a joke.
I’ve heard it used affectionately, disparaging, and just plain ol’ descriptively. I think it depends entirely upon the speaker and his or her opinion of grimdarkery. I certainly prefer it to the “dark and gritty” label and, for that matter, “dark and gritty” stories. To my ear, “grimdark” suggests an overall tone–bleak and seemingly hopeless–while “dark and gritty” suggests that the author will seize every opportunity to describe a noxious odor and that most of the named characters and many of the red-shirts will vomit, onstage, at least once.