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After reading this book, you will never see a story in the same way again
Why does story exist? What makes story ‘story’?
How can understanding story help us shape our life story more effectively?
One afternoon in 2010, I’m in my comfy study, warm coffee on the desk, good book in my hands. But I’m stuck. I can’t go further. The book is H. Porter Abbott’s 'Cambridge Introduction to Narrative', and I'm stuck on this passage:
"What is necessary for the story of Cinderella to be the story of Cinderella? …
This is a question that can never be answered with precision."
'Really?' I wonder. 'Never? How come?'
It's taken me 10 years, but in 'Story and Structure', I finally figured out the precise answer to that question (and the opening ones).
'Story and Structure' is about
• story (as a dynamic life force)
• 18 story structures (and how and why story reveals itself through them)
• how and why story expands and contracts
• how story covers a far wider range of forms than we usually think of as ‘stories’
• hidden story structures of poetic forms
It’s about finding harmony – in and through story – by following story back to its source to find more flow in our lives.
Story and Structure: A Complete Guide by Leon Conrad breaks down the key components of each of the eighteen types of story structure into its constituent parts.
An editor and creative consultant, Conrad's previous experience makes him no fledging when it comes to the study of writing. Introducing a broad range of tales, from well-known folk stories and Greek mythology to short stories hailing from India and Japan, Conrad draws on patterns in storytelling, highlighting the similarities, patterns and traits within the various story types. Each chapter is introduced with a charming illustration by the artist Jason Chaung and a summary definition (some story structures being easier to define than others). After summarising a tale that deploys the story structure (e.g "The Three Little Pigs"), Conrad dives into a microscopic study, dissecting the elements of its structure.
The use of illustrative symbols plays a significant role in this book. In fact it is probably truer to say that without use of George Spencer-Brown's calculus, Story and Structure would cease to exist. Conrad deploys a multitude of symbols within a table format to highlight the key twists and turns in different stories. Beginning with the traditional Quest structure and its six illustrative symbols, Conrad gradually introduces new terms and symbols to break down increasingly complex story structures. In the "Trickster" structure, discussion expands to analyse the developmental arc of multiple characters. As if by magic, one straightforward folk story suddenly becomes three multi-dimensional and interwoven tales.
Initially the use of symbols and tables can come across as overwhelming and complex to understand. However with each structure type you begin to to better interpret and translate the symbols. After reading the book once I returned to some of the earlier chapters and found the detailing to be more self-explanatory.
Conrad's guide to story structure should be treated as a top-shelf reference guide for anyone wanting to study the art of story structure as opposed to a quick flick before bed. With this book, perseverance is key, after reading Story and Structure: A Complete Guide you will never interpret a story in the same way again.
AEB Reviews
Reviewed by
I've been blogging since 2014, showcasing the best hidden gems in publishing on my website.
Synopsis
Why does story exist? What makes story ‘story’?
How can understanding story help us shape our life story more effectively?
One afternoon in 2010, I’m in my comfy study, warm coffee on the desk, good book in my hands. But I’m stuck. I can’t go further. The book is H. Porter Abbott’s 'Cambridge Introduction to Narrative', and I'm stuck on this passage:
"What is necessary for the story of Cinderella to be the story of Cinderella? …
This is a question that can never be answered with precision."
'Really?' I wonder. 'Never? How come?'
It's taken me 10 years, but in 'Story and Structure', I finally figured out the precise answer to that question (and the opening ones).
'Story and Structure' is about
• story (as a dynamic life force)
• 18 story structures (and how and why story reveals itself through them)
• how and why story expands and contracts
• how story covers a far wider range of forms than we usually think of as ‘stories’
• hidden story structures of poetic forms
It’s about finding harmony – in and through story – by following story back to its source to find more flow in our lives.
About the author
Leon Conrad is a storyteller and story structure consultant, based in London, UK. He is author of 'History Riddles', 'Odyssey: Dynamic Learning System' (with David Pinto), and 'Aesop the Storyteller'. Find out more at unknownstorytellerproject.com. view profile
Published on November 01, 2022
Published by The Squeeze Press
140000 words
Genre: Writing & Publishing
Reviewed by
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