Book Review: A psychological approach to fiction
As a book critic, I recently read Bernard J. Paris’ “A Psychological Approach to Fiction” and found it to be a thought-provoking and insightful study of the intersection between psychology and literature.
Paris delves into the ways in which fiction can reveal deep truths about human nature, exploring themes such as love, guilt, and identity. Drawing on insights from a range of psychological schools of thought, he offers a nuanced perspective on what makes certain works of fiction so compelling.
One of the strengths of this book is Paris’ ability to make complex ideas accessible to the general reader. He uses examples from classic works of literature such as Madame Bovary and Crime and Punishment to illustrate his points, making his arguments concrete and engaging.
At times, however, I found myself wishing that Paris had gone into greater depth in some areas. For example, he touches on the role that language plays in shaping our understanding of ourselves and others but doesn’t delve too deeply into this topic.
Overall though, “A Psychological Approach to Fiction” is an excellent read for anyone interested in the intersection between psychology and literature. Paris’ insights will leave you with a renewed appreciation for the power of storytelling to illuminate our innermost selves. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a fresh perspective on these perennially fascinating topics.
A psychological approach to fiction
publishedDate : 1974
authors : Bernard J. Paris
publishers : Transaction Publishers
pageCount : 304
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A Psychological Approach to Fiction | Studies in Thackeray, Stendhal,
The psychological approach employed by Paris helps the reader not only to grasp the intricacies of mimetic characterization, but also to make sense of thematic inconsistencies which occur in some of the books under consideration. For students of human behavior as well as students of literature, the great figures of realistic fiction provide a …
Psychological novel | literature | Britannica
psychological novel, work of fiction in which the thoughts, feelings, and motivations of the characters are of equal or greater interest than is the external action of the narrative. In a psychological novel the emotional reactions and internal states of the characters are influenced by and in turn trigger external events in a meaningful symbiosis. This emphasis on the inner life of characters …
