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Toward a Cognitive Theory of Narrative Acts

Cognitive Approaches to Literature and Culture Series

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Toward a Cognitive Theory of Narrative Acts

By: Frederick Luis Aldama - editor
Narrated by: Kellie Fitzgerald
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About this listen

Toward a Cognitive Theory of Narrative Acts brings together in one volume cutting-edge research that turns to recent findings in cognitive and neurobiological sciences, psychology, linguistics, philosophy, and evolutionary biology, among other disciplines, to explore and understand more deeply various cultural phenomena, including art, music, literature, and film. The essays fulfilling this task for the general listener as well as the specialist are written by renowned authors H. Porter Abbott, Patrick Colm Hogan, Suzanne Keen, Herbert Lindenberger, Lisa Zunshine, Katja Mellman, Lalita Pandit Hogan, Klarina Priborkin, Javier Gutiérrez-Rexach, Ellen Spolsky, and Richard Walsh. Among the works analyzed are plays by Samuel Beckett, novels by Maxine Hong Kingston, music compositions by Igor Stravinsky, art by Jean-Baptiste-Simeon Chardin, and films by Michael Haneke.

Each of the essays shows in a systematic, clear, and precise way how music, art, literature, and film work in and of themselves and also how they are interconnected. Finally, while each of the essays is unique in style and methodological approach, together they show the way toward a unified knowledge of artistic creativity.

©2010 The University of Texas Press (P)2012 Redwood Audiobooks Creativity & Genius Literary History & Criticism Music Psychology Psychology & Mental Health Science Human Brain Entertainment

Critic reviews

“This exciting collection attests to the range and sophistication of current cognitive-evolutionary studies in narrative. Exploring the relation between narrative and topics including empathy, dream, torture and ethics, theory of mind, and emotional change, each essay demonstrates a thorough knowledge of the secondary discipline it brings to bear on narrative art." (Nancy Easterlin, University of New Orleans)
"Focused on the universal human capacity for narrative, Frederick Aldama's Toward a Cognitive Theory of Narrative Acts boldly stakes out a common space of knowledge at the intersection of the natural and social sciences and the humanities. The essays by leading cognitive critics provide important insights into the motivations and workings of narrative from Aristotle to contemporary film." (Mary Thomas Crane, Boston College)
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i was fascinated by the concept of this book, and wanted badly to enjoy it. i persevered for as long as i could, but the robotic narrator is impossible for me to listen to - it sounds like it's being narrated by a computer programme. i also found the material in one of the essays objectionable, as the author took a very reductive and antiquated approach to autism spectrum disorders, which really put me off.

interesting concept but grating narration

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This book may be interesting - but the reading is completely awful. The narrator clearly has no understanding of the material and - as a consequence - intones the text with flatly, emphasising words incorrectly and mechanistically. An absolute waste of money and time.

Awful

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Interesting for people interested in narratives. I come from a psychology (and arts) perspective and it lacked a little for me, but some useful parts and I added a few bookmarks.
The narrator had a lovely voice, however I wasn’t convinced by all of the pronunciation and the emphasis meant that the meaning didn’t always come across clearly. It was a little robotic which didn’t work for me, however the pace was good.

Interesting moments

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loved it! it is a scintillating, thought provoking and at times cautious approach to the analysis and review of cognitive approaches to narrative acts. Very easy to follow. I highly recommend.

awesomeness and seamlessly well read.

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