Narrative space and time : representing impossible topologies in literature / Elana Gomel.

By:

Gomel, Elana

Material type:

TextSeries: Routledge interdisciplinary perspectives on literature ; 25Publication details: London ; New York : Routledge, 2014.Edition: First editionDescription: 226 pages : illustrations, maps ; 24 cmISBN:

9781138547926

Subject(s):

DDC classification:

809.3

Contents:

Introduction I: Space -- Introduction II: Time -- Ch. 1. Layering; Or the City of Two Tales -- Ch. 2. Flickering; Or Ghosts of Space -- Ch. 3. Embedding; Or the Pocket Universe -- Ch. 4. Wormholing; Or the Darkness Within -- Ch. 5. Sidestepping; Or Dimensions of Divinity -- Ch. 6. Collapsing; Or Urban Black Holes -- Postscript: "A King of Infinite Space".

Summary: Space is a central topic in cultural and narrative theory today, although in most cases theory assumes Newtonian absolute space. However, the idea of a universal homogeneous space is now obsolete. Black holes, multiple dimensions, quantum entanglement, and spatio-temporal distortions of relativity have passed into culture at large. This book examines whether narrative can be used to represent these "impossible" spaces. Impossible topologies abound in ancient mythologies, from the Australian Aborigines’ "dream-time" to the multiple-layer universe of the Sumerians. More recently, from Alice’s adventures in Wonderland to contemporary science fiction’s obsession with black holes and quantum paradoxes, counter-intuitive spaces are a prominent feature of modern and postmodern narrative. With the rise and popularization of science fiction, the inventiveness and variety of impossible narrative spaces explodes. The author analyses the narrative techniques used to represent such spaces alongside their cultural significance. Each chapter connects narrative deformation of space with historical problematic of time, and demonstrates the cognitive and perceptual primacy of narrative in representing, imagining and apprehending new forms of space and time. This book offers a comprehensive analysis of the connection between narratology, cultural theory, science fiction, and studies of place.

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Holdings
Item type	Current library	Call number	Status	Barcode
Books	Marbella International University Centre Library	809.3 GOM nar (Browse shelf(Opens below))	Available	11899

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Previous	808.543 STO rea Reading across borders :	808.7 VOR com The comic toolbox :	808.7 VOR lit The little book of sitcom /	809.3 GOM nar Narrative space and time :	809.915 LAU lau Laughing with Medusa : classical myth and feminist thought	812 MAM gol Goldberg street :	812 MIL cru The crucible :	Next

Includes bibliographical references (pages 209-211) and index.

Introduction I: Space --
Introduction II: Time --
Ch. 1. Layering; Or the City of Two Tales --
Ch. 2. Flickering; Or Ghosts of Space --
Ch. 3. Embedding; Or the Pocket Universe --
Ch. 4. Wormholing; Or the Darkness Within --
Ch. 5. Sidestepping; Or Dimensions of Divinity --
Ch. 6. Collapsing; Or Urban Black Holes --
Postscript: "A King of Infinite Space".

Space is a central topic in cultural and narrative theory today, although in most cases theory assumes Newtonian absolute space. However, the idea of a universal homogeneous space is now obsolete. Black holes, multiple dimensions, quantum entanglement, and spatio-temporal distortions of relativity have passed into culture at large. This book examines whether narrative can be used to represent these "impossible" spaces.
Impossible topologies abound in ancient mythologies, from the Australian Aborigines’ "dream-time" to the multiple-layer universe of the Sumerians. More recently, from Alice’s adventures in Wonderland to contemporary science fiction’s obsession with black holes and quantum paradoxes, counter-intuitive spaces are a prominent feature of modern and postmodern narrative. With the rise and popularization of science fiction, the inventiveness and variety of impossible narrative spaces explodes. The author analyses the narrative techniques used to represent such spaces alongside their cultural significance. Each chapter connects narrative deformation of space with historical problematic of time, and demonstrates the cognitive and perceptual primacy of narrative in representing, imagining and apprehending new forms of space and time.
This book offers a comprehensive analysis of the connection between narratology, cultural theory, science fiction, and studies of place.

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