The Inner Narrator. How Brain Science Helps Create Captivating Stories

We are defined by stories. They lie at the core of our beliefs, character, and tastes. Thousands of years ago, the ability to weave captivating plots helped us populate the planet, maintain connections, and create and erase boundaries between tribes. And recently, we've also begun to write books, make films, and invent virtual worlds. But why do we love stories so much? The answer lies in the structure of our brain. With the latest achievements in neuroscience, Will Storr explains that the roots of Shakespeare's worldwide fame lie in evolution, what gives strength to «Citizen Kane» and «American Beauty», and what we can learn from ourselves.

According to Storr, each person's life is a brilliant script, written not by higher powers, but by our brain, which fills every moment with meaning and purpose. «The Inner Narrator» upends our understanding of literary mastery and screenwriting skills, showing how stories are born in our heads — and how authors of blockbuster films and acclaimed literary masterpieces manipulate the deep layers of the subconscious. Caution: spoilers! The book reveals the plots of «King Lear», «Hamlet», «The Road to Change», «Lolita», «Lawrence of Arabia», and others.