The Science of Storytelling
Why Stories Make Us Human, and How to Tell Them Better
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The Science of Storytelling
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Narrated by:
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Will Storr
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By:
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Will Storr
About this listen
SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER
‘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
‘Rarely has a book engrossed me more, and forced me to question everything I’ve ever read, seen or written. A masterpiece’ 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.
INCLUDES NEW MATERIAL.
©2019 Will Storr (P)2019 HarperCollins Publishers LimitedCritic Reviews
"One of my absolute favourite writers." (Decca Aitkenhead)
"There’s nothing else quite like Will’s approach, with its illuminating, scientific take on storytelling. All writers, no matter what their level of experience, are likely to go away with a new understanding that will deepen and nourish their work." (Craig Pearce, screenwriter of Strictly Ballroom, Moulin Rouge and The Great Gatsby)
"Storr is irascibly good company, and has something approaching genius for marshalling his material." (Sunday Times)
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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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Cameron
- 01-01-2024
Brilliant!
Recommend for those wanting an insight into writing. I will listen again when I need a refresher. I’ve taken many notes.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Ark Griffin
- 15-12-2022
Essential how to for writers
Will Storr lays it out - wonderful guide if you have a work in progress.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story2 out of 5 stars
- Grant
- 13-02-2023
Too many assumptions
Don’t get me wrong; so many great insights in here. Thoroughly researched. But too often are the authors conclusions traced back to assumptions about history and the nature of mankind. Too often in this book is theory declared as fact. The arrogance was so frustrating that I gave up 2/3rds in.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Rianna
- 26-09-2020
The best book on storytelling that I’ve ever read.
Rather than imposing a set of rules, Will explains why these storytelling tools and techniques work based on how our own brains function and perceive reality. Well worth the read!
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2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Justin Easterbrook
- 13-08-2021
Excellent
I really enjoyed this book, well written and very insightful. It outlines all aspects about storytelling.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 20-04-2024
Very entertaining and insightful
Such good insight and explanation of how story works with reference to kids, animals, myth, movies, plays and novels. So great to listen to and think about. Thanks Will. You Rock.
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 31-05-2023
Speculative and simplistic
It started off seeming like it was going to be really really interesting. But it quickly devolved into speculative history, oversimplification, references to “Hunter, gatherers” and lines like “humans are tribal people”. The use of Nabokov’s Humbert as an example of an antihero was a grave missunderstanding of the text. Frustrating because there’s also so many interesting ideas in there.
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