Contemporary Fiction and Climate Uncertainty: Narrating Unstable Futures

This book argues that storytelling is a valuable resource for navigating the loss of a grounded existence and accepting the uncertainty of climate catastrophe. It offers affective and imaginative tools to channel the instability of our climate future and appreciate the more-than-human scale of the ecological crisis.

Format: Hardback
Length: 232 pages
Publication date: 21 April 2022
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

This open-access book makes a compelling case that storytelling holds immense value in helping us grapple with the loss of a sense of rootedness and stability in our lives, where the future remains relatively predictable and secure. In the face of the looming threat of climate catastrophe, we often find ourselves questioning our confidence in the future, a phenomenon that is well-documented within the environmental movement. However, stories, particularly sophisticated fictional narratives, possess the power to navigate this uncertainty effectively. They offer emotional and imaginative tools that channel the inherent instability of our climate future, inviting audiences to embrace its fundamental uncertainty.

In essence, this book represents a significant contribution to the environmental humanities, employing a flexible formal approach to address critical issues of our time. Its insightful commentary on contemporary works of prose and digital narrative serves as a valuable guide for navigating the complexities of climate uncertainty and appreciating the profound implications of the ecological crisis on a more-than-human scale. The ebook editions of this book are freely accessible through bloomsburycollections.com, with open access funding provided by The European Research Council and the University of Ghent.

Weight: 488g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781350233898