Fictionality
Fictionality by Karen Petroski, published by Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group in 2023, is a 212-page exploration of the relationship between fiction and reality. This book addresses fundamental questions about the nature of fictional works and their impact on our understanding of what is real. Petroski delves into the perspectives of philosophers and literary theorists throughout the Western literary tradition, tracing debates from Greek antiquity to contemporary discussions.
Readers will find a thorough examination of the value and potential dangers of engaging with fiction, as well as insights into the origins of fictional artworks, particularly in literature. The book also discusses the role of imagination in experiencing fiction, the unique characteristics of fictional worlds, and the structure of linguistic reference within these artworks. Additionally, it explores the functions of fictionality in various non-linguistic mediums, such as film and television, and its implications in fields like philosophy, law, and politics. Fictionality serves as an accessible introduction to these critical and theoretical topics, making it a valuable resource for those interested in literary criticism and semiotics.
Official synopsis Publisher
Does fiction enhance reality, or threaten our sense of what is real? What, if anything, is special about experiencing fictional works and worlds? Today we speak casually of parallel universes and virtual reality; how much do we really know about what these phenomena involve?
In Fictionality, Karen Petroski explains how philosophers and literary theorists have approached these questions in the Western literary tradition, from Greek antiquity to the present day. The book introduces readers to both long-running and contemporary debates about:
- The value and dangers of engagement with fiction
- The origins of fictional artworks, especially literary works, in Western literature
- The role played by imagination in engaging with fiction
- The peculiarities of fictional “worlds”
- The structure of linguistic reference within fictional artworks
- The functions of fictionality in non-linguistic artworks such as film and television
- The role played by fictionality outside artworks, for example, in philosophy, law, and politics
Fictionality offers an accessible and comprehensive introduction to this field of increasing critical and theoretical interest. Bringing together theoretical insights from a variety of perspectives, it will be an essential resource for anyone studying fictionality.
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