The Inner Narrator. How Brain Science Helps Create Captivating Stories

We are defined by stories. They form the basis of our beliefs and convictions, characters and tastes. Thousands of years ago, the ability to weave captivating plots helped us settle across the planet, maintain connections, and create and erase boundaries between tribes. And recently, it has allowed us 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 global fame lie in evolution, what the power of «Citizen Kane» and «American Beauty» is, and what we can learn from ourselves. According to Storr, every person's life is a brilliant script, only it is not written by higher powers, but by our brain, which fills what happens with meaning and purpose every minute. «The Inner Narrator» overturns the understanding of literary mastery and screenwriting skills and shows how stories are born in our heads—and how blockbuster filmmakers 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.