56 pages 1 hour read

Jonathan Gottschall

The Storytelling Animal

Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 2012

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Before You Read

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Super Short Summary

In The Storytelling Animal, Jonathan Gottschall examines how storytelling shapes human life, arguing that humans are inherently driven to create and inhabit stories. He explores storytelling's role in evolutionary development, social cohesion, and psychological functions, using scientific studies and literary analysis to illustrate the universality and diversity of narratives across cultures. The book also discusses the potential for storytelling to deceive or manipulate through examples like conspiracy theories and influential fictional narratives connected to historical events like Adolf Hitler and Richard Wagner's operas.

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

The Storytelling Animal by Jonathan Gottschall is lauded for its compelling argument on the innate human urge for storytelling, blending science and humanities seamlessly. While readers praise its engaging narrative and thought-provoking insights, some critique it for occasional repetitiveness and lack of depth in certain areas. Nonetheless, it remains an enlightening read.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Storytelling Animal?

Readers who would enjoy The Storytelling Animal by Jonathan Gottschall are curious about the evolutionary and psychological roots of storytelling. Fans of works like Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari and The Power of Myth by Joseph Campbell will appreciate Gottschall's accessible blend of science and narrative.

RecommendedReading Age

18+years

Book Details

Themes

Society: Community

Values/Ideas: Literature

Values/Ideas: Order & Chaos