Synopsis
This remarkable and monumental book at last provides a comprehensive answer to the age-old riddle of whether there are only a small number of 'basic stories' in the world. Using a wealth of examples, from ancient myths and folk tales via the plays and novels of great literature to the popular movies and TV soap operas of today, it shows that there are seven archetypal themes which recur throughout every kind of storytelling.
But this is only the prelude to an investigation into how and why we are 'programmed' to imagine stories in these ways, and how they relate to the inmost patterns of human psychology. Drawing on a vast array of examples, from Proust to detective stories, from the Marquis de Sade to E.T., Christopher Booker then leads us through the extraordinary changes in the nature of storytelling over the past 200 years, and why so many stories have 'lost the plot' by losing touch with their underlying archetypal purpose.
Booker analyses why evolution has given us the need to tell stories and illustrates how storytelling has provided a uniquely revealing mirror to mankind's psychological development over the past 5000 years.
This seminal book opens up in an entirely new way our understanding of the real purpose storytelling plays in our lives, and will be a talking point for years to come.
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
About the Author
Christopher Booker writes for the Sunday Telegraph and is the bestselling author of The Seven Basic Plots, The Real Global Warming Disaster, The Great Deception and Scared to Death (all published by Bloomsbury Continuum). He has been an author and journalist for nearly 50 years, and was the founding editor of the satirical magazine Private Eye.
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
Other Popular Editions of the Same Title
Search results for The Seven Basic Plots: Why We Tell Stories
Stock Image
The Seven Basic Plots: Why We Tell Stories
Published by
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC, United Kingdom, London, 2005
ISBN 10: 0826480373
ISBN 13: 9780826480378
Used
Paperback
Seller: WorldofBooks, Goring-By-Sea, WS, United Kingdom
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Paperback. Condition: Very Good. Breathtaking in its scope and originality, "Seven Basic Plots" examines the basis of story telling in literature, film, and libretto. No one will ever see stories in the same way again. This remarkable and monumental book at last provides a comprehensive answer to the age-old riddle of whether there are only a small number of 'basic stories' in the world. Using a wealth of examples, from ancient myths and folk tales via the plays and novels of great literature to the popular movies and TV soap operas of today, it shows that there are seven archetypal themes which recur throughout every kind of storytelling. But this is only the prelude to an investigation into how and why we are 'programmed' to imagine stories in these ways, and how they relate to the inmost patterns of human psychology. Drawing on a vast array of examples, from Proust to detective stories, from the Marquis de Sade to E.T., Christopher Booker then leads us through the extraordinary changes in the nature of storytelling over the past 200 years, and why so many stories have 'lost the plot' by losing touch with their underlying archetypal purpose. Booker analyses why evolution has given us the need to tell stories and illustrates how storytelling has provided a uniquely revealing mirror to mankind's psychological development over the past 5000 years. This seminal book opens up in an entirely new way our understanding of the real purpose storytelling plays in our lives, and will be a talking point for years to come. The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged. Seller Inventory # GOR001426369
Buy Used
US$ 3.00
US$ 7.48 shipping
Ships from United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Ships from United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Quantity: 5 available
Stock Image
The Seven Basic Plots: Why We Tell Stories
Seller: World of Books (was SecondSale), Montgomery, IL, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: Good. Item in good condition. Textbooks may not include supplemental items i.e. CDs, access codes etc. Seller Inventory # 00106381370
Stock Image
The Seven Basic Plots : Why We Tell Stories
Published by
Bloomsbury Academic & Professional, 2006
ISBN 10: 0826480373
ISBN 13: 9780826480378
Used
Softcover
Seller: Better World Books Ltd, Dunfermline, United Kingdom
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: Very Good. Former library copy. Pages intact with possible writing/highlighting. Binding strong with minor wear. Dust jackets/supplements may not be included. Includes library markings. Stock photo provided. Product includes identifying sticker. Better World Books: Buy Books. Do Good. Seller Inventory # 8533337-6
Buy Used
US$ 6.24
US$ 6.68 shipping
Ships from United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Ships from United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Quantity: 1 available
Stock Image
The Seven Basic Plots: Why We Tell Stories
Seller: HPB-Red, Dallas, TX, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Paperback. Condition: Good. Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used textbooks may not include companion materials such as access codes, etc. May have some wear or writing/highlighting. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority! Seller Inventory # S_476924857
Seller Image
The Seven Basic Plots: Why We Tell Stories
Seller: clickgoodwillbooks, Indianapolis, IN, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: acceptable. Used - Acceptable: All pages and the cover are intact, but shrink wrap, dust covers, or boxed set case may be missing. Pages may include limited notes, highlighting, or minor water damage but the text is readable. Item may be missing bundled media. Seller Inventory # CSIV.0826480373.A
Seller Image
The Seven Basic Plots: Why We Tell Stories
Published by
Continuum International Publishing Group Ltd., 2005
ISBN 10: 0826480373
ISBN 13: 9780826480378
Used
Softcover
Seller: WeBuyBooks, Rossendale, LANCS, United Kingdom
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: Good. Most items will be dispatched the same or the next working day. A copy that has been read but remains in clean condition. All of the pages are intact and the cover is intact and the spine may show signs of wear. The book may have minor markings which are not specifically mentioned. Seller Inventory # rev6856169868
Buy Used
US$ 3.54
US$ 14.31 shipping
Ships from United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Ships from United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Quantity: 1 available
Stock Image
The Seven Basic Plots: Why We Tell Stories
Published by
Continuum International Publishi, 2005
ISBN 10: 0826480373
ISBN 13: 9780826480378
Used
paperback
Seller: Sell Books, Elland, YORKS, United Kingdom
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
paperback. Condition: Acceptable. Integral damage to binding e.g. cover coming away, no spine, chunks of pages falling out. Rip to the cover (or dustjacket if hardback), or significant tearing to pages. Please see the condition note after this for details, if this is missing please consider Acceptable to mean poor quality that could include major staining, water damage, writing, missing dustjacket, etc etc. Our books are dispatched from a Yorkshire former cotton mill. We list via barcode/ISBN so please note that the images are stock images and may not be the exact copy you receive, furthermore the details about edition and year might not be accurate as many publishers reuse the same ISBN for multiple editions and as we simply scan a barcode or enter an ISBN we do not check the validity of the edition data when listing. If you're looking for an exact edition please don't order (at least not without checking with us first, although we don't always have time to check). We aim to dispatch prompty, the service used will depend on order value and book size. We can ship to most countries, see our shipping policies. Payment is via Abe only. Seller Inventory # mon0000080240
Buy Used
US$ 3.00
US$ 16.22 shipping
Ships from United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Ships from United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Quantity: 1 available
Seller Image
The Seven Basic Plots Why We Tell Stories
Seller: True Oak Books, Highland, NY, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Paperback. Condition: Very Good-. 6.09999990463257 X 2.40000009536743 X 9 inches; 736 pages; Yellowing to pages. Great overall condition. Minor cosmetic wear. No noteworthy blemishes. No writing.; - We're committed to your satisfaction. We offer free returns and respond promptly to all inquiries. Your item will be carefully wrapped in bubble wrap and securely boxed. All orders ship on the same or next business day. Buy with confidence. Seller Inventory # HVD-29516-A-0
Stock Image
The Seven Basic Plots: Why We Tell Stories
Seller: GoldBooks, Denver, CO, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Paperback. Condition: new. New Copy. Customer Service Guaranteed. Seller Inventory # 78S99_43_0826480373
Seller Image
The Seven Basic Plots: Why We Tell Stories
Seller: C L Hawley (PBFA), Skipton, YORKS, United Kingdom
Seller rating 4 out of 5 stars
Paperback. Condition: Very good copy. Paperback. 728pp. Spine is uncreased but has slight bump to tail. Lightly rubbed. Clean and sound. Very good copy. Seller Inventory # 21570
Buy Used
US$ 19.80
US$ 25.35 shipping
Ships from United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Ships from United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Quantity: 1 available