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The Power of Fiction

Will Self reflects on the power of our relationship with fictional characters. 'People need people whose lives can be seen to follow a dramatic arc.'.

Will Self reflects on the power of our relationship with fictional characters. "People need people whose lives can be seen to follow a dramatic arc, so that no matter what trials they encounter, the people who survey them can be reassured that when the light begins to fade, these people - to whose frail psyches we've had privileged access - will at least feel it's all meant something."
Producer: Sheila Cook.

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10 minutes

Last on

Sun 22 Feb 2015 23:50

A Point of View: Why do people relate to fictional characters?

Despite having their lives determined by authors, fictional characters are often portrayed as free agents - masters of their own destinies. Maybe that's why readers like them so much, says the novelist Will Self.

Credits

Role Contributor
Presenter Will Self
Producer Sheila Cook

Broadcasts

  • Fri 20 Feb 2015 20:50
  • Sun 22 Feb 2015 08:48
  • Sun 22 Feb 2015 23:50

Podcast