Grimdark My Way

What exactly is the grimdark genre, and why is it so awesome? Well, I imagine that once I answer the first question, the answer to the second will instantly become apparent.

In case it needs to be stated, my conceptualization of the fabulously ferocious grimdark genre is merely that — mine. Others will disagree, and they’ll likely (hopefully) have thoughtful reasons for doing so. This disclaimer will hold true for most, if not all, of my blog posts going forward. With that out of the way, the following is what I expect — and as a reader, what I need — from grimdark fiction:

1. A cruel and violent world. Setting and tone (both grim and dark, duh) marry together and act as the bedrock of the genre. More than the bedrock, actually. More like the sand its sandcastles are sculpted from. And because it’s grimdark, that sand is thoroughly fouled with rusted metal bits, broken teeth, and ravenous ticks.​

No sane person would ever want to live in a grimdark setting. It’s too unpleasant. Too lethal. This essential feature helps set grimdark apart from other genres that commonly offer less harsh worlds.​

2. The setting can’t be saved. Saving the world is a fitting conclusion for some stories, but not those of the grimdark variety. That’s too tidy and optimistic. The terrible struggle must go on; that’s part of the appeal! And just because the suffering never ends doesn’t mean it’s meaningless. More on that later.​

3. It doesn’t pull punches. When it comes to the worst human acts imaginable, grimdark fiction tend to show them, often in wincing detail. Obviously all of the brutality can’t be shown — nor should it. But a good amount of it should be depicted. If grimdark stories were movies, they would all have hard R ratings. Maybe worse. Probably worse…​

4. Many of the protagonists will meet tragic or fatal ends, and whoever survives will be wrecked. It isn’t grimdark if the protagonists make it through the story largely unscathed. No sir. That might fly in a shadowy high fantasy or similar YA novel, but not grimdark. A grimdark novel should have its character arcs as pulverizing and perilous as a two decade plus stint in a 20th century POW camp. If the main characters survive at all, they’ll have earned more than a lifetime’s supply of scars, emotional trauma, and nightmares.​

5. Did I mention the violence? Because there must be violence. Grimdark is a member of the action-adventure family. It’s the angry, smelly cousin sporting the heavy metal t-shirt, neck tattoo, and gothic rings along his tightly clenched fists. He’s uncomfortable to be around; but hey, he’s family, so try and converse with him at the reunion…​

My point is grimdark has to have action. Otherwise any significantly bleak story with an unhappy ending could pass as it. And that wouldn’t be fair to the readership. Only stories with liberal amounts of blood sport need apply.​

The above five points are what I consider to be the main tenets of grimdark. I still have more to say, though. And I’ll do that with the tried and true question and answer format.

Can there be good people in a grimdark story? Answer: Yes. A rose can grow, and even bloom, in a briar patch; but it can’t escape it, and it draws a lot of unwanted attention.

Can the protagonist of a grimdark story be good? Answer: Yes, though they rarely are. Being good is a major liability in grimdark settings. Because of that, good characters are usually discreet about their unpopular values. Just imagine trying to be honorable, merciful, and compassionate while locked in a maximum security prison alongside throngs of unsavory inmates. It would be a tough row to hoe.

Can grimdark stories have happy endings? Answer: Sort of. It ultimately depends on your standard of ‘happy.’ The world can’t be put right, and the monsters can’t all be slain, but someone, or some people, can live to fight another day, and even accomplish something noble. They’ll have paid a heafty price for that, though — usually in blood.

Is grimdark a fantasy sub-genre? Answer: Not necessarily. Fantasy genres require the fantastical, and grimdark — while many of its stories feature the supernatural — doesn’t require it. It’s virtually always speculative fiction, though. The real world is pretty grim. But generally not quite grim enough.

Why should I read a grimdark story? Answer: The best I can do is explain why I read grimdark stories. I love the stakes. The cold-blooded atmosphere. I enjoy the kinds of characters who crawl in the mud underneath miles of razor wire everyday of their lives, and rather than cry or complain — laugh. I love a redemption story where redemption seems impossible. I love characters achieving, through tremendous struggle and sacrifice, personal victories in worlds where larger victories are impossible. I love stories with characters willing to pay the ultimate price to defy something truly worth defying.

Excellent grimdark fiction offers all that and more. Some of my favorite grimdark books and series include: The Broken Empire Trilogy, Mark Lawrence. Beyond Redemption, Michael R. Fletcher. The Night Angel Trilogy, Brent Weeks. War for the Rose Throne Series, Peter McLean. A Song of Ice and Fire, George R.R. Martin. And of course, Black Library’s Warhammer 40k books.