The Science of Storytelling
Why Stories Make Us Human, and How to Tell Them Better
Failed to add items
Add to basket failed.
Add to wishlist failed.
Remove from wishlist failed.
Adding to library failed
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
The Science of Storytelling
Buy Now for £12.99
No valid payment method on file.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
-
Narrated by:
-
Will Storr
-
By:
-
Will Storr
About this listen
SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER
‘If you want to write a novel or a script, read this book’ Sunday Times
‘The best book on the craft of storytelling I’ve ever read’ Matt Haig
‘Rarely has a book engrossed me more, and forced me to question everything I’ve ever read, seen or written. A masterpiece’ Adam Rutherford
Why stories make us human and how to tell them better.
There have been many attempts to understand what makes a good story – but few have used a scientific approach.
In this incisive, thought-provoking book, award-winning writer Will Storr demonstrates how master storytellers manipulate and compel us.
Applying dazzling psychological research and cutting-edge neuroscience to the foundations of our myths and archetypes, he shows how we can use these tools to tell better stories – and make sense of our chaotic modern world.
INCLUDES NEW MATERIAL.
©2019 Will Storr (P)2019 HarperCollins Publishers LimitedListeners also enjoyed...
Critic reviews
"One of my absolute favourite writers." (Decca Aitkenhead)
"There’s nothing else quite like Will’s approach, with its illuminating, scientific take on storytelling. All writers, no matter what their level of experience, are likely to go away with a new understanding that will deepen and nourish their work." (Craig Pearce, screenwriter of Strictly Ballroom, Moulin Rouge and The Great Gatsby)
"Storr is irascibly good company, and has something approaching genius for marshalling his material." (Sunday Times)
What listeners say about The Science of Storytelling
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Mr. J. A. Ball
- 01-06-19
Fascinating and insightful
I was working on a storytelling speech project for my Toastmasters club and thought this might make good research material. Really, I think it is much more about writing stories and understanding story structure and value, so it wasn't especially helpful to my project but it was profoundly interesting and insightful.
I haven't come across Will Storr before but I will definitely be checking out some of his other books now and also adding this to my re-listen list. Even if you're not a writer, we build our world and concepts of reality on stories and understanding that more is incredibly valuable.
One of my biggest passions is understanding why we are who we are and why we do what we do and to that end, this book delivered more than I had expected. Highly recommended and definitely essential reading to professional writers who want to be successful.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
15 people found this helpful
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Leah Lotous
- 07-01-21
Recommended
Easy read with deep ideas.
With very organised chapter structure.
Lovely narration by the author.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance1 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- John Shields
- 28-03-20
Probably a great book, but recording skips
Despite being fully downloaded, and progressing apparently at normal speed second by second, the recording skips words, and is impossible to listen to. Don’t buy until Audible have fixed this.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars
-
Performance4 out of 5 stars
-
Story4 out of 5 stars
- "neiloshea"
- 18-03-24
Pretty good book.
Decent presenting of many of the building blocks of story, narrative and dramatic journeys. Though was not quite as narratively spellbinding as I was hoping, especially considering the topic.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars
-
Performance4 out of 5 stars
-
Story3 out of 5 stars
- Moosa
- 07-02-20
Opening your mind to the basics of storytelling
Overall a good book to understand the basics of a great storytelling. The introduction is well structured and easy to follow. As the book progresses in the chapters, it became quite disjointed. I will listen to it again.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
9 people found this helpful
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
- Rob T
- 11-03-20
Very insightful
Well thought out, brilliantly researched. This book is an excellent follow up to Will Store's previous book 'selfie'. Human nature explored through the stories we tell. Fascinating stuff.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
5 people found this helpful
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Customer
- 10-01-20
incredibly useful
as a performer and writer, I found this book fascinating and incredibility helpful. I'll certainly be using this structure and wisdom in my work from here on.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
3 people found this helpful
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance4 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 28-03-20
A fantastic listen!
A myriad of useful information and examples blended in psychological science for anyone to enjoy
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Mrs. J. M. Galor
- 26-11-20
Fascinating and engaging
This was much more than I thought I was getting at the beginning: I went into this hoping for some solid pointers on fiction writing, I did not expect to have my own understanding of ‘self’ and the human condition dissected so effectively and yet with such warmth and humour by the author. Surprising, slightly unsettling and yet fascinating. Well worth it.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars
-
Performance4 out of 5 stars
-
Story4 out of 5 stars
- Mitchell
- 16-11-21
Who am I?
A delightful insight into the craft and colouring of character and story telling.
No fidgety moments, well structured and well read.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!