The Guardian Bookshop makes over 180,000 books available with up to 40% discount, as well as highlighting some of our favourite publications in each genre.
Find out more.
Subtitled, "Why We Tell Stories". 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.
Synopsis
Examines the basis of story telling in literature, film, and libretto. This book provides an answer to the riddle of whether there are only a small number of 'basic stories' in the world. Using many examples, it shows that there are seven archetypal themes.The author then leads us through the changes in the nature of storytelling.
