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How Stories Make Us Human
Jonathan Gottschall
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
April 10, 2012 / ISBN 978-0547391403
Non-Fiction: Books and Reading
Amazon
Reviewed
by Beth McKenzie
I read this book during our community theater presentation of "Faith
County." This is no reflection on the cast or playwright; I
was quietly occupying myself until the end of each act when my services
as stagehand would be called upon. Between rehearsals and the performances
I had several hours that I dedicated to introspection and reflection
of the process, value and need for creating and telling stories.
The thing you would most expect from a discussion about storytelling
is stories that demonstrate the points presented. The author walks
us through dreams, children's games, operas, novels, plays, movies,
sitcoms, live action role-playing, holodecks and MMORPGs with stories
about his daughters, urban legends, historical insights, classic
literature and fantasy. For me he answers the question, "Why
are vile, gory, disgusting topics so popular?" with a logical
answer: because we lead boring lives in comparison. Traditionally
storytelling fills a societal training role guarding against the
day when the worst happens. You already know how to brush your teeth
and drive the car. What are you going to do when the great flood
comes or a maniac with a knife breaks into your shower? I know I
lock my door!
While the methods and perspectives of storytelling change (this
is the first book read on my Kindle Fire), the stories and our need
for them does not; and the more familiar the story is the more well
received it will be. Sitting backstage listening to the audience
laugh at "Faith County" I can understand this. If you
have ever lived somewhere like rural Jersey County, Illinois; Bonneville
County, Idaho; or Carroll County, Georgia; the antics at the Faith
County Fair are funny because they are as familiar to us as they
were to our parents and will be for generations to come. If you
have ever listened to original wedding vows or seen an ugly bridesmaid's
dress you will understand too.
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