About this title: Breathtaking in its scope and originality, "Seven Basic Plots" examines the basis of story telling in literature, film, and libretto. No one will ever see stories in the same way again. This remarkable and monumental book at last provides a comprehensive answer to the age-old riddle of whether there are only a small number of 'basic stories' in the world. Using a wealth of examples, from ancient myths and folk tales via the plays and novels of great literature to the popular movies and TV soap operas of today, it shows that there are seven archetypal themes which recur throughout every kind ...
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Binding: Softcover
Publisher: Continuum Intl Pub Group
Date Published: 2006-01-01
ISBN-13:9780826480378ISBN:0826480373
Description: NEW. Softcover. From an inventory that is 100% brand-new, 100% direct from the publishers' distribution channel. We carry NO pre-owned, NO remaindered. We pack in CARDBOARD to ensure the pristine quality is maintained. (Bubble-wrap alone is NOT sufficient to protect from USPS equipment. ) Guaranteed brand-NEW, protected with CARDBOARD, your satisfaction is guaranteed. BKLUVID: 9780826480378. read more
Binding: Paperback
Publisher: CONTINUUM INTERNATIONAL PUBLISHING GROUP LTD. Country = UNITED KINGDOM
Date Published: 2005
ISBN-13:9780826480378ISBN:0826480373
Description: BRAND NEW PAPERBACK. 736 pages. (736 pages) examines the basis of story telling in literature, film, and libretto. this book provides an answer to the riddle of whether there are only a small number of 'basic stories' in the world. using many examples, it shows that there are seven archetypal themes. the author then leads us through the changes in the nature of storytelling. (Paperback) read more
Binding: Hardcover
Publisher: Continuum, New York
Date Published: 2005
ISBN-13:9780826452092ISBN:0826452094
Description: Very Good in Very Good dust jacket. 0826452094. Reprint. Light creasing to the spine, and a nick to the top corner. In this arduous undertaking, 34 years in the making, Booker attempts to the tell the story of all stories, from Beowulf to The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. Referring to every genre, including folktales, films, operas and soap operas, Booker describes seven basic plots, which he contends share basic character types and present different views of the same central preoccupation. He then ... read more
Binding: Hardcover
Publisher: Continuum International Publishi
Date Published: 2004
ISBN-13:9780826452092ISBN:0826452094
Description: Good. This is an EX LIBRARY copy with all the usual stamps, marks etc. The inside flysheet has been tidily removed. This book is in GOOD overall condition. It shows signs of having been read and has general light wear to the cover, spine and pages. read more
Binding: Paperback
Publisher: CONTINUUM
Date Published: 2006
ISBN-13:9780826480378ISBN:0826480373
Description: New. This remarkable and monumental book at last provides a comprehensive answer to the age-old riddle of whether there are only a small number of 'basic stories' in the world. Using a wealth of examples, from ancient myths and folk tales via the plays an... read more
Binding: Paperback
Publisher: Continuum International Publishing Group Ltd
Date Published: 2005
ISBN-13:9780826480378ISBN:0826480373
Description: New. Examines the basis of story telling in literature, film, and libretto. This book provides an answer to the riddle of whether there are only a small number of 'basic stories' in the world. Using many examples, it shows that there are seven archetypal t... read more
Description: New. DISPATCHED FROM UNITED KINGDOM. NO EXPEDITED SHIPPING! Please note orders are confirmed immediately and may take 2-3 business days to ship. This processing time is in addition to the shipping time. Please allow 10-14 days for delivery. Brand new item. Order now. Selling online since 1995. Order with confidence. Code: G20091123045623D. read more
Edition: Updated_Month1|-1
Binding: Hardcover
Publisher: Continuum International Publishing Group Ltd.
Date Published: 2004
ISBN-13:9780826452092ISBN:0826452094
Description: New. PLEASE NOTE: All books are promptly shipped from our UK warehouse using Royal Mail International Priority mail. Heavier or more expensive books are shipped with a TRACKING NUMBER. Professional and reliable bookseller (est.1987). read more
"Oh yes! This is THE one - for anybody who wishes to write or anyone who wants to learn about the craft of writing.
It is simply a brilliant, if somewhat personal, look at why humans tell stories and of the only 7 plots that we can tell.
Why 7?
Read the book and find out and try this little exercise - list all the books and movies that do not fit into any one of the seevn categories. That will keep your mind occupied for some time. And if you find one? Do let me know! I've never found one."
"Christopher Booker, The Seven Basic Plots: Why We Tell Stories. This was a mostly overlooked book that lays out how all stories revolve around the death/transcendence of ego. His seven stories all line up on the Tribal Leadership scheme: Rags-to-Riches shows characters moving from stage 2 to 3; tragedy shows stage 3 to 1, etc."
"Anyone who likes reading or writing, or even some other form of storytelling (like movies for example) really owes it to themselves to read this book. This book will give you so many great new insights and you will gain a much deeper understanding and appreciation on how stories are built up. I found myself looking at stories differently than I did before.
Booker explains how all stories basically fit into one of the seven basic plots. What's more, those stories will go through the same five main stages:
* The Anticipation Stage * The Dream Stage * The Frustration Stage * The Nightmare Stage * The 'Resolution' Stage, which of course may vary depending on what type of story it is.
These stages are not entirely fixed, as some stages may come back several times in a story, or the story may start at a different stage, but basically all stories follow the same structure.
In the latter part of the book, Booker goes on to explain how storytelling has become 'broken' in recent times by consciously or unconsciously breaking the rules. He makes a very compelling case, although I felt he is too rigid in his opinion. A 'broken' story may just be as powerful in its own right as a 'correct' story, and I see those stories more as an extension of the seven basic plots instead (although some of the examples are really extreme, and I agree that those particular examples should not be recognized as storytelling in any way).
In the end, you may or may not agree with his opinions, but don't let this difference of opinions stand in the way of the main thesis of the book. This remains far and away the best book I've ever read on writing."
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