Description
Book SynopsisA history of imaginary worlds from the late nineteenth century to the present, from Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes to the virtual worlds of computer games.
Trade Reviewan engaging and adventurous literary history ... [a] lively and intelligent work * Patrick Curry, Times Literary Supplement *
Brilliant... As If reminds us that, through real play in imaginary gardens, we can enhance the lives we lead in this alienated modern world. * Michael Dirda, The Washington Post *
Mr. Saler counterpunches vigorously against the whole edifice of literary snobbery... His book should be essential reading in every graduate school of the humanities. But it's much more fun than that recommendation suggests. * Tom Shippey, The Wall Street Journal *
Riveting stuff...Open[s] up a new vision not just of the literature of the fantastic, but of us as well. * Rick Kleffel, Bookotron.com *
This is the best cultural study of fantasy I have ever read. A powerful, liberating argument, woven together from an impressive array of sources, all treated well and fairly. Saler routs the assumption that enchantment and reason oppose one another. * Edward Castronova, author of Synthetic Worlds: The Business and Culture of Online Games *
If modernity can be called an 'iron cage,' as it was by Max Weber, the para-modernity explored by Michael Saler is an Escher staircase. Composed of oxymoronic juxtapositions-animistic reason, detached immersion, ironic faith, and enchanted disenchantment-it transports us nowhere, but the journey is filled with such wonders that we keep moving along. As If is itself a triumph of imagination and wit, as well as an exemplary exercise in cultural history. * Martin Jay, author of Songs of Experience: Modern American and European Variations on a Universal Theme *
Michael Saler's dazzling book adds a new historical dimension to our understanding of imaginary worlds and literature; through As If a surprising illumination of our modernity becomes possible. * Simon During, author of Modern Enchantments: The Cultural Power of Secular Magic *
Saler's book uncovers and identifies precursors to the shared imaginary worlds of our time. His argument is clear, his examples entertaining; the cumulative effect is startling and ultimately very useful, in that we are given a new and positive way to understand not only several currently emerging art forms, but also our entire cultural moment. I now see my kids' activities in a new light; it even seems as if our future could be good. * Kim Stanley Robinson, author of Galileo's Dream *
Table of ContentsAcknowledgements ; Introduction ; Part One: Contexts ; Chapter One: Living In the Imagination ; Chapter Two: Delight without Delusion: The New Romance, Spectacular Texts, and Public Spheres ; Part Two: Cases ; Chapter Three: Clap If You Believe in Sherlock Holmes: Arthur Conan Doyle and Animistic Reason ; Chapter Four: From "Virtual Unreality" to Virtual Reality: H.P. Lovecraft and Public Spheres of the Imagination ; Chapter Five: The Middle Positions of Middle-earth: J.R.R. Tolkien and Fictionalism ; Envoi ; Bibliography ; Index
