Slow Narrative and Nonhuman Materialities

The 2024 Barbara Perkins and George Perkins Prize Slow Narrative and Nonhuman Materialities explores how the experience of slowness in contemporary narrative practices can create a vision of interconnectedness between human communities and the nonhuman world. Marco Caracciolo argues that we need patience and an eye for complex patterns to recognize the multiple threads that link human communities and the slow-moving processes of climate and geological history. Decelerating attention offers important insight into human societies' relations with the nonhuman materialities of Earth's physical landscapes, ecosystems, and atmosphere.

Format: Hardback
Length: 258 pages
Publication date: 19 February 2022
Publisher: University of Nebraska Press

The Barbara Perkins and George Perkins Prize for Slow Narrative and Nonhuman Materialities delves into the profound impact of experiencing slowness in contemporary narrative practices. Rather than being merely a matter of measurable time, slowness emerges as a transformative encounter, particularly for audiences engaging with the ecological crisis. Climate change, often perceived as a scientific abstraction, takes on a deeply embodied and affective dimension through the imagination of slowness. Marco Caracciolo, in his exploration of the value of slowness, engages with a diverse array of narratives across various media, including prose fiction, comic books, and video games. He argues that recognizing the interconnectedness between human communities and the slow-moving processes of climate and geological history requires patience and a keen eye for complex patterns. Decelerating attention offers valuable insights into the intricate relationships between human societies and the nonhuman materialities of Earth's physical landscapes, ecosystems, and atmosphere.

Caracciolo centers his inquiry on the experiential effects of narrative, providing a range of theoretically grounded readings that enrich the formal language of narrative theory. Through these close readings, it becomes evident that slowness is not merely a matter of measurable time but rather a "thickening" of attention that unveils the intricately interconnected nature of reality. The significance of this realization cannot be overstated: by investing in the present moment of experience, slow narrative empowers us to navigate the uncertainties of living in an era characterized by rapidly shifting climate patterns.

In conclusion, the Barbara Perkins and George Perkins Prize for Slow Narrative and Nonhuman Materialities sheds light on the transformative power of experiencing slowness in contemporary narrative practices. By fostering a deeper connection between human communities and the nonhuman world, slowness enables us to confront the ecological crisis and navigate the complexities of our changing planet. Through the close examination of narratives across various media and the theoretical insights provided by Caracciolo, we gain valuable tools for understanding and responding to the urgent challenges of our time.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781496229090