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The Seven Basic Plots

Why We Tell Stories

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The Seven Basic Plots

By: Christopher Booker
Narrated by: Liam Gerrard
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About this listen

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 reveals 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 analyzes 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 5,000 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.

©2004 Christopher Booker (P)2019 Tantor
Customs & Traditions Storytelling

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Really Good

A very interesting history of story and the evolution of where it came from to elements within - and not a wishy washy version of telling it. Well worth the listen - highly recommend

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Amazing Book-A lifes work investigating stories

This book is incredible, I'm blown away about how in depth Christopher goes in this book. If you've ever read a story, this is a really good book to read about this story. I've always wondered about why I've connected better to certain stories than others, and now I know what's behind the curtain, why some stories are better than others.

The Archetypes which underpin good stories, why we need this archetypes, and understanding ones own personality qualities and how we relate to these stories.

Very very very good audio-book!!!!!

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excellent in every way

great narrator
one of the most impactful books on my perspective on life. good for ppl interested in archetypal plots

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