The Science of Storytelling: Why Stories Make Us Human, and How to Tell Them Better
THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER
**INCLUDES NEW MATERIAL**
‘If you want to write a novel or a script, read this book’ SUNDAY TIMES
‘The best book on the craft of storytelling I’ve ever read’ MATT HAIG
‘A masterpiece. I am in awe’ ADAM RUTHERFORD
Why stories make us human and how to tell them better.
There have been many attempts to understand what makes a good story – but few have used a scientific approach.
In this incisive, thought-provoking book, award-winning writer Will Storr demonstrates how master storytellers manipulate and compel us.
Applying dazzling psychological research and cutting-edge neuroscience to the foundations of our myths and archetypes, he shows how we can use these tools to tell better stories – and make sense of our chaotic modern world.
‘A hugely compelling reading experience. Storr’s superb exploration of the enduring appeal of the novel offers a smart, fascinating exploration of the science and psychology behind our most sophisticated art form that also works as an effective how-to guide’ OBSERVER
‘It is clear, compelling and tightly shaped around one fascinating and productive idea … Storr wants to free writers from programmatic, plot-based writing guides, and his approach feels liberating’ SUNDAY TIMES
‘Rarely has a book engrossed me more, and forced me to question everything I’ve ever read, seen or written. It’s a masterpiece. I am in awe’ Adam Rutherford -
‘The best book on the craft of storytelling I’ve ever read’ Matt Haig -
‘Easily the best book I've read this year’ Hannah Fry -
‘A hugely compelling reading experience. Storr’s superb exploration of the enduring appeal of the novel offers a smart, fascinating exploration of the science and psychology behind our most sophisticated art form that also works as an effective how-to guide’ Alex Preston, Observer -
‘If you want to write a novel or a script, read this book. It is clear, compelling and tightly shaped around one fascinating and productive idea … Storr wants to free writers from programmatic, plot-based writing guides, and his approach feels liberating’ Sunday Times -
‘Lucid, original, plausibly grounded in the science and proves once again just how much goodwill can be derived from a satisfying ending’ New Statesman -
‘This short but punchy book is full of interesting classroom tips to help writers to grab and hold on to readers or viewers … Storr is clearly a good teacher and his advice is often memorably vivid’ The Times -
‘In a world obsessed with facts (and mostly fake ones, at that), we need stories more than ever. Storr’s stories about storytelling, relayed in his inimitable way, reveal that we are the biased protagonists of our own stories – and that culture would be vastly improved by a recognition of our own cognitive flaws. Because stories are not about facts, but understanding’ Pandora Sykes -
‘A brilliant, accessible and very human book not just for writers but for anyone interested in how the mind works – not least their own. Will manages to be both detached and compassionate on every page, sometimes within the same sentence. That such a complicated book is so easy to read is testament to his clarity of thought and skill as writer. A stupendous achievement’ Robert Webb -