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The Science of Storytelling
- Narrated by: James Clamp
- Length: 6 hrs and 51 mins
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Publisher's Summary
How do master storytellers compel us? There have been many attempts to understand what makes a good story, but few have used a scientific approach. In The Science of Storytelling, Will Storr applies dazzling psychological research and cutting-edge neuroscience to our myths and archetypes to show how we can tell better stories, revealing, among other things, how storytellers - and also our brains - create worlds by being attuned to moments of unexpected change.
Storr’s superbly chosen examples range from Harry Potter to Jane Austen to Alice Walker, Greek drama to Russian novels to Native American folk tales, King Lear to Breaking Bad to children’s stories. With chapters such as "The Dramatic Question" and "Plot, Endings, and Meaning" and a practical, step-by-step appendix dedicated to "The Sacred Flaw Approach", The Science of Storytelling is destined to become an invaluable resource for writers of all stripes, whether novelist, screenwriter, playwright, or writer of creative or traditional nonfiction.
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What listeners say about The Science of Storytelling
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Performance
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- Monica B
- 2023-01-08
Confusing at first, but brings it together
This book begins by throwing in terms from narrative theory at a fairly rapid pace. Next, it delves into evolutionary psychology,
the neurobiology of arousal, and the psychology of goal orientation. It further explores the role of unconscious motivation and biases as irrational drivers of myth creation and maintenance, a fascinating topic in itself. The author eventually brings much of this together with a combination of psychodynamics, cognitive psychology, and social cognition.
As someone familiar with these disciplines, I first experienced the book as a bit jumbled. However, it became more channeled especially in describing storytelling as variations of the "hero's journey." I liked the author's application to some popular narratives as literary examples. An updated edition might better integrate this approach and not leave much of it to the Appendix.
Overall, it was interesting and well researched. The author pointed out aspects I find useful in my own teaching and writing.
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- Amazon Customer
- 2020-03-15
The science behind the best sentences and scenes.
Science, yes, but quality close readings of exceptional source material too. Analysis of plot, character, and psychological/neurological reality behind it was truly informative.
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- Daniel A. Boyd
- 2020-08-28
All middling reviews correct
Doesn't believe in free will. Makes claims that aren't supported by science. Doesn't clearly apply science to plot and structure.
Last chapter gives long example of how to implement framework. Needs more throughout.
Elephant in the brain highly recommended. Wish I had read more plot books to compare.
Main take away is the idea that main character creates a model of the world and that model gets upended. This basically fits 3 act structure but helps you get psychologically into the protagonists thinking.
Minor take away is that readers like gossip, stories that denigrate the out group, make them feel good about their world models. This seems possible but author doesn't really provide evidence to back it up.
A more upbeat take on the above is story brand. Which talks about how you want to be the guide and make the reader the hero.
Good stuff in here, but just not set up in a clear manner.
41 people found this helpful
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- Stephanie Romer
- 2021-02-13
A great portal into human psychology
I loved this book, even though I fundamentally was shocked and alienated by it. The motives he describes, the self-domestication of the human mind, are what has been the primary alienating factor in my life. I hardly expected the book to go so deep into the unspoken motivation which has dogged me my whole life. I have taken many psychological tests over the years and went to graduate school in behavioral neuroscience and evolutionary psychology but never finished because I never automatically developed the control function he speaks of so eloquently. My main motivation is truth, and it has set me at odds with the social world, and with most humans eventually. This was the first book I have ever read out of thousands that truly changed my view of writing forever and so to me it has instantly become my most favorite and influential writing book. Just know that there are people who do not have a need to control in some instances for whatever reason. I am in a 1% psychological group on many measurements including openness, agreeableness, and IQ. So I have trouble seeing from the perspective of the majority and their needs and motives. This book was the lens and light which showed me how humans think and how to reach them more than any other. I can honestly say that this was one of the best books I have ever read in any subject because of this. It’s value to me as a writer is incalculable. Thank you for writing this book and changing my life forever.
22 people found this helpful
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- Jay Quintana
- 2021-01-23
If you want to learn science, read a science book
I have to admit to being a sucker for "two-for-one" books. I get to learn about storytelling AND science? I'm in! Information about both are provided here, but only at their most basic levels. If you've never read a book on writing, this book will be helpful. If you have read a few of them, you likely won't get much from this. Still, it doesn't hurt to have the principles of storytelling hardwired into your brain. Likewise, any knowledge of science is good. But I find it doubtful you didn't already know why stories need to surprise, scare, titillate, amuse, and fulfil us, even though you might not have been able to say it using scientific terms. In a nutshell, if you're a newcomer to writing books, you probably should get this. If not, and you're interested in science, see the title of this review.
15 people found this helpful
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- T. Matz
- 2021-05-17
Never took off
Kept waiting for the book to get better but it never did. Listened to just over an hour and a half. I didn’t care, think about nor need to know a sexual preference, but it had to be subtly made, and afterwards that’s all I heard.
8 people found this helpful
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- Seth
- 2021-02-27
Perfect
Exactly what I was looking for. Well versed and informative. I highly recommend to anyone interested in writing or just having a better storytelling toolkit.
7 people found this helpful
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- Josephblu
- 2021-09-09
Excellent class. Original concepts. Well organized
I am perpetually taking classes in an attempt to improve my writing. I have only recently started applying this book to my practice and my writing, but it has been helpful. Rarely do you find a book on writing with much original to teach for that reason alone this book is WELL worth the price,
6 people found this helpful
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- Roxanne
- 2021-05-28
Unexpectedly enlightening
This book provides a perspective of storytelling that I was not expecting.... Not your typical English course.
6 people found this helpful
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- David Lee
- 2022-05-09
Life-changing
This isn’t an instruction book about how to write a story, or stories. Of course it can be that for you, but if you can see through it’s story, It’s an enlightenment into how you have created your story. How everyone you know are creating their stories and how to understand them, and yourself, better. Much better!
5 people found this helpful
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- Matthew Jordan Phelps
- 2021-10-06
not for conversation
if you are looking for advice on how to tell a story, this is not it.
5 people found this helpful
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- chase
- 2022-02-27
Great content and great narration
Very insightful to human behavior. Humans learn and pass down knowledge through stories, that’s how we are where we are today. Knowing how to connect with another person or even change the narrative you tell yourself is extremely powerful!
4 people found this helpful